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Critics choice: Top five comedy shows
By Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard 18.01.07
Mirth in misanthropy: Mark Watson is worried he is starting to hate everyone in the world
Look here too
From mankind hater Mark Watson to Russell Brand and Ricky Gervais, Bruce Dessau picks his comedy highlights.
Mark Watson
Soho Theatre, W1
Don't be put off by the title of this cheeky Bristolian's superb Edinburgh 2006 show: I'm Worried That I'm Starting to Hate Almost Everyone In The World. Watson, who you may have enjoyed being slyly witty on BBC2's Mock The Week, has an enviable lightness of touch when it comes to affable onstage yarnspinning. (0870 429 6883). Until Sat 20 Jan, 9.30pm.
Bill Hicks: Slight Return
Croydon Clocktower
Chas Early revives his intriguing monologue, which imagines what the late US satirist Hicks would be ranting about if he was alive today. He'd probably still be bashing Bush, except the son would now be on the receiving end, not the father. And he'd surely be having a great time with the internet. Early puts in a commanding performance as the chain-smoking cult with attitude to burn. (020 8253 1030). Fri 19 Jan, 8pm.
Sue Perkins
Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
The snappy, bespectacled half of the Mel and Sue double act sets out on a solo tour entitled The Disappointing Second Show. As the moniker suggests, the theme of the evening is disappointment - which is Sue's middle name, although her mum wanted to call her Elizabeth. (01227 769 075). Fri 19 Jan, 7.45pm.
Omid Djalili
The Swan, High Wycombe
Skilful actor/comedian Djalili has updated the touring version of 2005's sell-out No Agenda set. It is admirably clever, mixing politics with all-killer, no-filler crowdpleasing gags about being straddling English and Iranian culture. (01494 512000). Fri 19 Jan, 8pm.
Ricky Gervais/Russell Brand and more
Hammersmith Apollo, W6
If you had to name the two biggest British stand-ups at the moment, chances are you would pick Ricky Gervais and Russell Brand, so the World Society for the Protection of Animals has pulled off a coup getting both to appear in this fundraiser. The supporting cast of Noel "Mighty Boosh" Fielding, Chris "The Thick of It" Addison, Mark Thomas, Phill Jupitus, Robin Ince and Lucy Porter is pretty appealing too. (www.wspa.org.uk/comedy or 870 606 3400).
Sun 21 Jan, 7.30pm.
