Comedy

Shappi Khorsandi

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sunday 20 June

Iranian-born comedian Shappi found herself being moved to the UK some 40-plus years ago, after her father - the poet and satirist Hadi Khorsandi - wrote a poem that was perceived as being critical of Iran’s revolutionary regime. “Obviously there's free speech in Iran,” says Shappi, “but little freedom after you've spoken.” A regular contributor to radio and television programmes, Shappi describes herself as a ‘spit and sawdust’ stand-up comic, happily pulling on her wellies and trudging through muddy fields to perform at any and every music festival that boasts a comedy tent. Jokes include, “I was going to India on holiday and wanted to know what the weather was like there. So I phoned my bank.” Shappi visits the Midlands with her new show, Skittish Warrior…Confessions Of A Club Comic.

Catherine Bohart

The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sat 12 June

'The OCD, bisexual offspring of a Catholic deacon', Catherine Bohart’s natural enthusiasm ensures excellent rapport with her audience, for whom the Irish comedian seems to have a genuine affection. Her jokes include: “Lesbian sex is like cricket: it goes on forever and there’s a lot of men watching it at home, alone, on the internet.”

Ed Byrne

The Forum, Birmingham, Fri 25 June; Just The Tonic, Coventry, Sat 3 July; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 11 September; Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 24 November; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 10 February 2022; Dudley Town Hall, Sat 12 February 2022; Walsall Arena, Wed 16 February 2022; The Core, Solihull, Wed 23 February 2022; The Place, Telford, Wed 15 June, 2022

A highly regarded master of observational comedy, Ed Byrne admits to being a little uncomfortable about some of the ‘more laddish’ material he used in the early days of his stand-up career. “My comedy reflected my life at that time single and enjoying myself. Most of it was fairly harmless, but some of the stuff about an ex-girlfriend I can see was a bit angry, and I wouldn't do it now.” So 20-plus years after first dipping his toes into the decidedly dangerous waters of stand-up comedy, does Ed still enjoy touring? “Apart from the travel involved, which no comic likes, I love it. You have people responding to something that you’ve written alone in your office, and the work comes alive in a roomful of people. I like the TV things I do, but nothing can beat a live comedy audience.”

Jason Manford

Just The Tonic at The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Fri 25 June; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tuesday 31 August; The Place, Telford, Wed 1 September; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Mon 6 September

Becoming successful in comedy is no walk in the park, as Jason Manford knows. And the former One Show presenter has some sage advice for wannabe comedians: “Don’t take any of my work! I would also say to people, compare yourself to yourself. Don’t think, ‘Why has that guy got that?’ or ‘Why is Michael McIntyre doing so well?’ or ‘I’m really funny, so why is so-and-so doing that gig, not me?’ You know what, just don’t worry about it. If you’re doing better now than you were six months ago, then you’re doing well.”