Friday Night Project co-host Alan Carr, fast-rising star Michael McIntyre, Arthur Smith's Cut-Price Comedy Club and Time Vine all feature in Bruce Dessau's comedy picks.

Alan Carr
Hammersmith Apollo, W6
This impressive three-night stand for the co-host of C4's The Friday Night Project marks his move into comedy's premier league. There is nothing new about Carr's schtick, which mixes the populism of Peter Kay with the camp of Larry Grayson, but he certainly does it well, working his fans into a lather with his gags about swimming classes in borrowed egg-stained Speedos: "The pool was filled with so many chemicals if you did more than two lengths you changed sex."
(0870 606 3400). Until Sat 12 May, 7.30pm.

Michael McIntyre
Soho Theatre, W1
Your last chance to see this fast-rising star in a small club - next time he'll be doing much bigger venues. Like Alan Carr, McIntyre is a comedian who sidesteps arguments about ironic political incorrectness by simply standing onstage and being funny. McIntyre has excellent scripted material about everything from the weather to getting married, but he might not even do it - he also has an exciting gift for improvisation which means that every gig is unique.
(0870 429 6883). Until Sat 12 May, 9.30pm.

Arthur Smith's Cut-Price Comedy Club
Hackney Empire, E8
At a tenner a ticket this is not the cheapest comedy in town but you do get lots for your money. This week's extensive line-up includes stalwart storyteller Paul Tonkinson, hyperactive livewire Patrick Monahan, stand-up with attitude Matt Blaize, plus Ninia Benjamin, Mary Bourke, Jeff Mirza and more, including, of course, compËre-beyond-compare, the legendary Arthur Smith.
(020 8985 2424). Fri 11 May, 8pm.

Tim Vine
Shepherds Bush Empire, W12
A greatest-hits night from the self-styled Punmeister General. Expect all the classics from "I've got a sponge front door - don't knock it" to "Velcro - What a rip-off". Vine is so good at wince-inducing gags some of his work has a habit of being credited to Tommy Cooper. Last week The Independent said the following was by TC when it was by TV: "So I went down my local ice-cream shop, and said: 'I want to buy an icecream.' He said: 'Hundreds and thousands?' I said: 'We'll start with one.'"
(0870 771 2000). Sun 13 May, 8pm.

Nina Conti
Hen & Chickens, N1
Skilful ventriloquist Conti has an impressive performing pedigree. She is the daughter of actor Tom Conti and was encouraged to get into voice-throwing by serial eccentric Ken Campbell. Conti has been quiet for a while but is back with a work-in-progress in which the audience will have a chance to advise her on what characters to take to the Edinburgh Festival this summer. Expect her rude furry friend Monkey to make an appearance at some point.
(020 7704 2001). Sun 13 May, 7.30pm.