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Critic's choice: top five comedy
By Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard 12.07.07
Double Bill: Catch sharp-tongued Bill Bailey at Latitude tomorrow and the Rise Festival on Sunday
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It's festival mania this weekend with Bill Bailey, Alan Carr, Stewart Lee, Reg Hunter, Michael McIntyre and Richard Blackwood all taking the stage at shows across London and the south.
Latitude Festival
Henham Park, Southwold
The promoters of this impressive Suffolk multi-arts festival are suggesting that their comedy line-up is the best outside Edinburgh. While that's pushing it, there is no doubt that with Bill Bailey (tomorrow), Dylan Moran (Saturday) and Alan Carr (Sunday) plus a glittering supporting cast including Stewart Lee, Robin Ince and Adam Hills, you may struggle to tear yourself away to catch bands such as Arcade Fire and Jarvis.
(0870 060 3775) Until Sun 15 Jul.
Ealing Comedy Festival
Walpole Park, W5
West London's 14th annual laugh-in pulls together some of the finest wits on the circuit. Friday's gala boasts nine acts including controversial stand-up Reg Hunter and subversive magician John Lenahan, while pick of the weekend is the Saturday show, which includes freewheeling impro maestro Michael McIntyre, wacky Welsh-accented Mark Watson and bubbly Stephen K Amos.
(020 8825 6277) Until 20 Jul.
Simon Munnery
Soho Theatre, W1
Comedian's comedian Munnery has been through various always fascinating guises, from punk preacher Alan Parker to surrealist tyrant The League Against Tedium. Here he combines past hits for his "Extraordinary General Meeting". Munnery recently had to choose his child's school: "The four schools I visited all smelled the same: biscuits and urine. On reflection perhaps that was me."
(0870 429 6883) Until 19 Jul, 9.30pm.
Susie Essman
Lyric Theatre, W1
Fans of cult sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm will know Essman as the foul-mouted, permanently argumentative wife of Larry's agent, Jeff. She makes her UK stand-up debut at the Newbury Comedy Festival on Friday and Saturday and her West End debut on Sunday. Expected lashings of swearing and some great gags too from this larger-than-life performer.
(0870 890 1107) Sun 15 Jul, 7.30pm. Newbury Comedy Festival info: 01635 522733.
Rise Festival
Finsbury Park, N4
Ken Livingstone has done good and bad things for London as Mayor, but there should be no complaints about his free anti-racism festival taking place in north London. If sharp-tongued headliner Bill Bailey cannot bring creeds together with his funny stories and pop parodies what hope is there? With Richard Blackwood, Shazia Mirza, Zoe Lyons, music and more.
(020 7983 6554) Sun 15 Jul, Noon.
