We’re almost a third of the way through the year—definitely time for a little laughter. Here’s a selection of some of the best events, gigs, and laugh-out-loud opportunities in and around London this April.
OPEN MIC NIGHTS
Slap bang in the heart of London is the Birdies Comedy, a night dedicated to new comedians who have been performing for less than a year, held at the Savoy Tup on Savoy Street. E-mail the organiser to book a spot on raging_bird@hotmail.co.uk
Over in east London is the Dalston Chuckles Comedy Club. Each Thursday, they hold a friendly open mic night welcoming all. Email dalstonchuckles@gmail.com to book a place.
Battersea Power Comedy is offering five-minute open mic spots from 8 p.m. every Thursday night. E-mail paul@paulpenns.com to book a spot. Please note you must bring a guest to get your spot.
GIGS + EVENTS
Torn between acting and comedy? What about a comedy improv course based around improvising Shakespeare. This day-long course on April 15 promises to expand your emotional range and linguistic dexterity of your improv using the words of the Bard. (Tickets: £35)
Starting on April 23, BBC Radio 2 is holding a ‘Funny Fortnight’. It’ll showcase a host of new talent and feature new sitcoms, impressionists, and comedy panel games. Great for judging what’s hot and getting commissioned right now. (Free)
Over 35 and up for being funny? Enter the Old Comedian of the Year contest. You must have been performing for five years to enter and heats are held at the iconic Leicester Square Theatre.
OPPORTUNITIES
‘So You Think You Are Funny?’ is one of the U.K.’s premier stand-up competitions and this year, a series of regional heats culminate in rounds at the Edinburgh Festival in August, followed by a final at the famous Gilded Balloon venue. Applications must be completed by May 1.
April 16 is the deadline for getting your comedy script into BBC Writersroom. No experience necessary; just send your script and they guarantee the first ten pages will be read.
Comedy writer David Nobbs died in 2015 but his name lives on through his Memorial Trust’s writing competition. You need one broadcast writing credit to your name to submit a script but you’ll be judged by top comedy industry figures. Deadline is April 8.
PERFORMANCES
If improv is your game, then you may have heard of all female troupe, Notflix. Suggest a favourite movie and an improvised comedy musical will be created before your very eyes. They’re performing in London on April 3 and 11. (Tickets: £15)
Eccentric elderly actor Count Arthur Strong, the comic character created by Steve Delaney, is out on the road this April. The premise? Arthur takes the audience on a ‘journey through his early career’ using a box of old video cassettes. Who knows!
Touring the UK is ‘Radio Active’, starring Angus Deayton, Phillip Pope, and Helen Atkinson Wood. Based on a fictional local radio station, this classic comedy became infamous in the 80s by laughing at different genres of radio and TV. The Edinburgh performance sold out last year, so best get your tickets quickly. (Tickets: £20)
Check out Backstage’s London audition listings!