David Cross, London
A good few years ago now, David Cross came to the UK and staged a series of shows at the 100 Club on Oxford Street. Every night, the venue was crammed with UK comics and industry insiders, all thrilled by the prospect of such a celebrated US performer playing on these shores. Clearly, Cross found plenty to like about this country, because he’s made regular trips over here since – not just for gigs, but also to appear in his own Channel 4 series, The Increasingly Poor Decisions Of Todd Margaret. But our increased familiarity with the Arrested Development star shouldn’t dull our excitement at the chance to see him in the flesh. Cross has a wonderfully from-the-hip style, battering away at the idiots he comes across in everyday life, mining his roots in the southern states for some glorious redneck-baiting and not sparing himself from ruthless criticism. Incidentally, he’s just taped a sketch reunion with former partner Bob Odenkirk – they starred together in the hugely culty Mr Show, and the forthcoming revival is one of the most eagerly anticipated comedy events of the year.
Rich Mix, E1, Sat
Danny Bhoy, On tour
There’s a reasonably well-trodden path that stand-ups take to stardom. It’s rare to find a comic who’s become a big draw without the catalyst of small-screen appearances – but Danny Bhoy is one of the few who’s made it happen. He plays big rooms not just in this country, but all over the world (proving particularly popular in Australia and New Zealand). What Bhoy provides is a finely honed and hugely assured form of ultra-conventional stand-up. There’s plenty of quality observational material that will delight fans of Michael McIntyre, and the kind of everyman warmth that John Bishop supplies in spades (this time with a Scottish accent). This kind of package isn’t for everyone – but it’s likely to attract more than it repels.
City Varieties, Leeds, Sat; Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, Sun; Corn Exchange, Exeter, Mon; Forest Arts Centre, New Milton, Tue; Winchester Discovery Centre, Wed; touring to 24 Jun
Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, London
When Miles Jupp appeared on Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, he got a big laugh when he said that the host was getting to the point where he has “no unpublished thoughts”. In addition to a rigorously updated daily blog and a weekly Metro column, Herring has in recent years maintained a variety of eccentric podcasts – including live sketch show As It Occurs To Me and the bewildering Me1 vs Me2 Snooker, where he commentates on games that he plays against himself. The Leicester Square Theatre Podcast sees Herring sharing the limelight with a succession of big figures from the world of comedy, who are subjected to interrogations that are alternately very silly and oddly revealing. Previous subjects have included Armando Iannucci, Russell Brand and Herring’s estranged double-act partner Stewart Lee – this week’s guest is Bob Mortimer.
Leicester Square Theatre, WC2, Mon
