Laugh4Rory, London
Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia sounds like the sort of fictitious disease you’d find in the works of Chris Morris, but in fact it’s a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma which, in 2013, claimed the life of Radio 4 broadcaster Rory Morrison. This week, to raise funds and awareness for the WMUK charity, which provides a point of contact between patients and doctors, a cluster of acts associated with Radio 4’s comedy output will be performing. Among those appearing are Glaswegian lawyer-turned-stand-up Susan Calman, plus Outnumbered and Drop The Dead Donkey co-creator Andy Hamilton. There’ll also be a set from the absurdly talented John Finnemore, whose Benedict Cumberbatch-starring radio sitcom Cabin Pressure may be little-known but commands a huge and ferociously loyal following. Those who crave a little TV glamour should be more than satisfied by appearances from Peep Show co-star Isy Suttie and Welsh comedian Elis James, who’s soon to make what’s predicted to be a sizeable splash in BBC3’s Josh.
Rada Studios, WC1, Sat
Joe Lycett: That’s The Way, A-Ha A-Ha, Joe Lycett, On tour
One thing you can’t fault Birmingham-born stand-up Joe Lycett for is the consistent brilliance of his show titles. This one follows Some Lycett Hot and If Joe Lycett Then You Should Have Put A Ring On It. If you’re not familiar with his style, then imagine this: he’s an openly bisexual performer who plays with the tradition of camp comedy, but comes from a generation where camp is ironic, rather than a means of sheltering from an otherwise disapproving world. And rather than depending on queeny jokes that flatter the audience’s prejudices, he uses his atypical take on masculinity to say something fresh about modern life; in particular, the hegemony of lad culture. Playfulness is the hallmark of all his work, whether he’s teasing members of the audience for macho tendencies or staging absurdly elaborate pranks on the public service jobsworths he finds so irritating.
Glee Club, Nottingham, Sun; Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed; Hen & Chicken, Bristol, Fri; touring to 6 Dec
Sean Hughes: Mumbo Jumbo, On tour
How do you keep the spark of comic invention going when you’ve been gigging for 30-odd years? In the case of original Never Mind The Buzzcocks regular Sean Hughes, it’s through unflinching self-analysis. His best stuff seems to come from a contemplation of what’s going on in his head, rather than the world outside. While that might sound like adolescent navel-gazing, Hughes’s gift is to make his personal obsessions seem both profound and universal. In recent years, the onset of middle age has pushed him towards ruminations on mortality. Mumbo Jumbo sees him tackling preconceptions that make up his view of the world, trying to decide which of them are legitimate and which are bogus. It’s sure to be an enjoyable journey.
Colchester Arts Centre, Sat; Arts Centre, Swindon, Sun; Bold Hotel, Southport, Thu; Norden Farm Centre For The Arts, Maidenhead, Fri; touring to 28 Nov
