Paul Tonkinson tops the bill at The Boat Show, Katherine Jakeways' provides plenty of squirms at the Soho Theatre and Will Smith tackles the thorny subject of How to Be Cool...

Paul Tonkinson
The Boat Show, Tattershall Castle SW1
Unsinkable observational comedian Tonkinson tops the bill at this floating club opposite the London Eye. Quite why Tonkinson is not a bigger star is a mystery, but television's loss is the live circuit's gain. With sweet and spiky Lucy Porter, sound effects maestro Stefano Paolini and MC Jon Richardson. (07932 658895). Fri 8 Dec, 7pm.

Katherine Jakeways
Soho Theatre, W1
Not to be confused with Catherine Tate, although it's an easy mistake to make - this Katherine also specialises in creating instantly recognisable archetypes but with a darker sensibility. Jakeways's gallery of lonely, tragic dreamers provide as many squirms as they do laughs. (0870 429 6883). Until Sat 9 Dec, 8pm.

Sarah Kendall/Jo Enright
ED Comedy, SE23
Having just completed a stint at the Soho Theatre with her full show, smart Aussie stand-up Kendall ventures into the wilds of Forest Hill for a shorter headlining gig. If the snappy gags don't win you over, Kendall's showstopping Nicole Kidman impression ought to hit the spot. Plus versatile Brummie character comic Enright. (020 8855 0496). Sat 9 Dec, 8pm.

Will Smith
Arts Theatre, WC2
Self-styled Dire Straits obsessive and some-time stalker of Marillion's vocalist Fish, uber-nerd Smith tackles the thorny subject of How to Be Cool in his latest show, asking why Pete Doherty is the epitome of hip while safari-suited Ray Mears lacks the X-Factor? This and other burning questions are answered with the aid of a witty multi-media presentation. (0870 060 1742. Fri 8 & Sat 9 Dec, 7.30pm.