Time for a right good laugh
THOSE of us returning to work this week – having woken up in the dark to the sound of rain lashing against the windows and the realisation Christmas is most definitely over – probably struggled to find much to laugh about.
Luckily then 2018 has got some stellar comedy gigs in store if you live in Wales – from Hollywood legends to homegrown icons, or the silly to the satirical.
Here’s our run down of some of the best...
CHRIS ROCK
WHO: Ferociously funny US standup turned Hollywood superstar, Rock’s twice hosted the Oscars, been named as “the funniest man in America” by both Time magazine and Entertainment Weekly and won two Emmys and three Grammys. Oh, he was also the voice of Marty the zebra in the kids’ movie Madagascar. WHERE: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. WHEN: Friday, January 12. TICKETS: From £55 - 029 2022 4488.
ED BYRNE
WHO: Perrier Award-nominated Irish stand-up best known for his regular TV appearances on comedy panel shows such as Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You. In his latest show – Spoiler Alert – he uses his rib-tickling observational skills to ask if we, as human beings, have become too spoilt. WHERE: Treorchy Parc & Dare / Swansea Grand Theatre. WHEN: Saturday, January 20 / Wednesday, March 7. TICKETS: £24 0800 0147111 / 01792 475715.
SEAN LOCK
WHO: Former long-serving team captain on Channel Four’s Eight Out of 10 Cats and stand-up stalwart, this award-winning comedian made his name in the little-seen sitcom 15 Storeys High in which he played an illtempered life guard living in a rundown London tower block. WHERE: Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. WHEN: Sunday, January 21. TICKETS: From £23 029 2063 6464.
KATHERINE RYAN
WHO: A ubiquitous presence on UK TV thanks to shows such as QI and Big Fat Quiz, the Canadian here takes on single parenthood. WHERE: Rhyl Pavilion Theatre / St Davids Hall, Cardiff. WHEN: Saturday, February 3 / Saturday, March 3. TICKETS: £20.50 www.katherineryan.co.uk
REGINALD D HUNTER
WHO: Watch this controversial and critically acclaimed comic test drive his new show, Some People V. Reginald D Hunter. The set lasts 60 minutes, with no interval and under 18s will not be allowed entry. WHERE: Glee Club, Cardiff. WHEN: Sunday, February 4. TICKETS: £16.50 0121 693 2248.
STEWART LEE
WHO: After four years writing and performing his TV show Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, Content Provider is Stewart’s first brand new fulllength show since the award-winning Carpet Remnant World. WHERE: Swansea Grand Theatre. WHEN: Friday, February 9. TICKETS: £23.50 call 01792 475715.
BILL BAILEY
WHO: With musical virtuosity, surreal tangents and trademark intelligence, Bailey tackles politics, philosophy and the pursuit of happiness as he rounds up his titter-some anecdotes from 20 years on the road. WHERE: Llandudno Venue Cymru / Swansea Grand / Cardiff Motorpoint. WHEN: Wednesday, February 14 – Thursday, February 15 / Tuesday, May 8 – Thursday, May 10 / Friday, June 1. TICKETS: Start from £30 www.billbailey.co.uk
MIKE DOYLE
WHO: Camarthen’s own all-round entertainer returns for a sensational evening of comedy and music. WHERE: New Theatre, Cardiff. WHEN: Wednesday, February 21. TICKETS: £12-£21.50 go to www. newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
SARAH MILLICAN
WHO: The 42 year old is back on the road to examine the benefits of casserole, give tips on how to talk to shop assistants and explain the correct way to eat a biscuit. WHERE: Llandudno Venue Cymru / St David’s Hall, Cardiff / Port Talbot Princess Royal / Swansea Grand. WHEN: Friday, February 23 – Saturday, February 24 / Thursday, May 10 / Friday, May 11 / Thursday, May 31 – Friday, June 1 TICKETS: £29 go to www.sarahmillican.co.uk
RUSSELL BRAND
WHO: Since rising to fame in 2003, Russell Brand has established himself as one of the world’s most celebrated stand-up comedians. Here he tries making sense of life since becoming a dad for the first time. WHERE: St David’s Hall, Cardiff / Llandudno Venue Cymru. WHEN: Tuesday, February 27 / Wednesday, April 4. TICKETS: From £27.50 go to www. russellbrand.com
MAX BOYCE
WHO: The man, the myth, the legend – the viscount of Glynneath is back with more evergreen homegrown humour.
Watch Max sing his tribute to Leigh Halfpenny. WHERE: Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. WHEN: Saturday, March 10. TICKETS: £28.50 call 029 2063 6464.
GRIFF RHYS JONES
WHO: Cardiff-born comic actor and raconteur looks back on 40 year in the biz. WHERE: Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. WHEN: Wednesday, March 14. TICKETS: £18 www.shermantheatre.co.uk
TIM VINE
WHO: The king of the quick-fire gag, once again on top punning form. WHERE: Swansea Grand / Llandudno Venue Cymru. WHEN: Saturday, March 17 / Wednesday, May 16. TICKETS: From £26 www.timvine.com
MICHAEL MCINTYRE
WHO: Britain’s biggest comedian – he’s sold more than 1.5 million tickets in the UK, including a recordbreaking 28 performances at London’s 16,000 capacity 02 Arena – returns with his long-awaited new tour. WHERE: Motorpoint, Cardiff. WHEN: Wednesday, April 11. TICKETS: From £35 call 029 2022 4488.
COUNT ARTHUR STRONG
WHO: Steve Delaney’s potty alter ego and doddery old Vaudevillian goes solo to take us back on a journey through his early years. WHERE: Swansea Grand / Savoy, Monmouth. WHEN: Friday, April 27 / Friday, May 11. TICKETS: From £24 - www.countarthurstrong.com
JOE LYCETT
WHO: With all his other Welsh dates sold out, this could be your last chance to see the up-and-coming stand-up performing here this year. WHERE: Machynlleth Comedy Festival. WHEN: Saturda,y May 5. TICKETS: £15 visit www.machcomedyfest.co.uk
JASON MANFORD
WHO: The Manchester-born mirth maker ponders the notion of the British social system and how, over the years, he’s gone from Northern working class roots to being ‘ever such a little bit’ middle class. WHERE: Aberdare Coliseum / Princess Royal, Port Talbot / St David’s
Hall, Cardiff / Swansea Grand / Llandudno Venue Cymru. WHEN: Wednesda,y May 9 / Thursday, May10 / Friday, May 11 / Friday, July 13 – Saturday, July 14 / Saturday, July 28. TICKETS: From £30 www.jasonmanford.com
LIMMY
WHO: Scottish comedy’s best kept secret showcases his many hilarious and, sometimes, downright bizarre internet Vines – followed by an audience Q&A. WHERE: Glee Club, Cardiff. WHEN: Thursday, May 24. TICKETS: £15 www.glee.co.uk
LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN
WHO: The twisted comedy minds behind one of the darkest comedies in decades are back playing live for the first time in more than 12 years. WHERE: Motorpoint, Cardiff. WHEN: Thursday, September 6 – Friday, September 7. TICKETS: From £40 call 029 2022 4488.
DAVE GORMAN
WHO: Replete with laptop and projector, Dave continues to shine a light on those parts of everyday life which most people don’t seem to stop and think about. WHERE: St David’s Hall, Cardiff. WHEN: Saturday, September 15 – Sunday, September 16 . TICKETS: From £30 029 2087 8444.
ROSS NOBLE
WHO: Fresh from his role in the West End production of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, Noble’s surre- ally silly flights of fancy are bound to delight his fans. WHERE: Swansea Grand / Llandudno Venue Cymru. WHEN: Tuesday, September 18 / Tuesday, December 11. TICKETS: From £28 www. rossnoble.com
ROB BRYDON
WHO: The Gavin & Stacey and Would I Lie To You? star’s first stand-up tour in eight years – expect top gags, spot on impersonations and some good natured audience ribbing. WHERE: Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. WHEN: Monday, October 8 – Wednesday, October 10. TICKETS: From £21.50 029 2063 6464.
KEVIN BRIDGES
WHO: Caledonia’s biggest comedy export, this edgy (yet very much mainstream) comic makes a comeback, his 2015 tour having broken box office records with more than 500,000 tickets sold. WHERE: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff . WHEN: Friday, November 16 – Saturday, November 17. TICKETS: From £38 call 029 2022 4488.