The artist formerly known as Joe Mangel from Neighbours and possible nudity from Edinburgh Festival award winner Phil Nichol feature in Bruce Dessau's comedy picks.

Stephen Grant
Soho Theatre, W1
A welcome London residency for this amiable stand-up who has such a strong fanbase on the south coast, where he comperes regularly, that he doesn't need to come to the capital all the time to earn a living. Grant is in endearing autobiographical storyteller mode here, recalling things he's done to brighten his Brighton days in his full-length show, Life's Too Short.
(0870 429 6883). Until Sat 17 Mar, 8pm.

Paul Sinha/Alex Horne/Meryl O'Rourke
The Boat Show, SW1
Another top bill at the floating club opposite the London Eye. Paul Sinha is one of the most improved comedians in recent years, having rapidly moved from journeyman joker to powerfully effective commentator on issues of race and sexuality. Alex Horne's sublimely silly oneliners are a welcome addition to any bill. Not much in the way of big Red Nose Day gigs, but why not laugh here and send some money to charity, too.
(07932 658895). Fri 16 Mar, 8pm.

Mark Little
Fairfield Halls, Croydon
The artist formerly known as Neighbours' Joe Mangel was a regular on the Nineties comedy circuit, but, after a spell co-hosting the Big Breakfast with Zoe Ball, drifted away. After briefly returning to Ramsay Street, Little is now back on stage, touring with a revival of his entertaining old show, Defending the Caveman, in which he dons his loin cloth and attempts to win the battle of the sexes once and for all.
(020 8688 9291). Fri 16 Mar, 7.45pm.

Phil Nichol
Millfield Theatre, N18
For sheer force of personality, Phil Nichol is hard to beat. His solo shows have always been wild, unpredictable in-your-face affairs and last year's effort, The Naked Racist, finally won him the if.comeddies award at the Edinburgh Festival. Expect a variant of that show tonight, taking in the tale of a lost weekend in Amsterdam and possibly some nudity, if the good people of Edmonton can handle it on the Sabbath. (020 8807 6680). Sun 18 Mar, 8pm.