Many happy returns of the year to you and everyone you love! I have decided to have a good feeling about 2022 in general despite everything. I hope this lasts longer than my new year’s resolution to not immediately start scrolling Twitter when I wake up.
In the spirit of getting on with things, I’m keeping it brief but what I will say is that optimism is great but preparedness is better. Within this month’s round-up of shows, I’ve included a few more online stand-up bits, just in case corona turns up unexpectedly at your door, or our collective doors shut in an official capacity. Remember this whole list comes with a big proviso to take care (and constant LFTs) — we want to support people putting on shows but also never encourage audiences to do anything unsafe.
That being said, enjoy yourselves whenever possible: you deserve it!
Rosie Jones WIP
Wednesday 5th January, The Bill Murray
Honestly, if you can’t kick off January with a bit of Rosie Jones, what’s the point? To co-opt a phrase that has so far only been used to describe global superstar Adele Dazeem, the wickedly talented, one and only Rosie Jones is prepping her brand new show. I saw bits and pieces of her at mixed bills throughout last year so I’m positively gagging for the full whammy. For more information and tickets, click here!
Sofie Hagen: Generation Boyband Fan
Online, YouTube
So nice when an online surprise drops from one of your faves. Just before Christmas, Sofie Hagen put their incredible stand-up hour on YouTube (for FREE actually!) and I love it. As a lifelong Westlife fan — not that I dare to claim any ownership of this even close to Sofie’s — Generation Boyband Fan spoke to a place deep in my soul; a place where 2000 album Coast To Coast plays on repeat for eternity. With a tour later on in the year and a bunch of other online shows you can buy, this is the perfect primer. For more information and tickets, click here!
Natalie Palamides: LAID
Wednesday 5th — Saturday 8th January, Soho Theatre Downstairs
I watched Natalie Palamides’s show Nate three times (and that’s not including watching it on Netflix over lockdown). Laid won Natalie her Edinburgh newcomer award in the beforetimes and made everyone here fall in love with her. It’s not surprising: here, she lays an egg at the top of the day and has to decide whether to eat or raise it. Very excited to finally see this. For more information and tickets, click here!
GISDA Giggles Two
Saturday 15th January, Pontio in Bangor
Returning for a second round, Kiri Pritchard-McLean is hosting a night of comedy in Bangor to raise funds and awareness for GISDA’s LGBTQ+ groups, with a fully and wonderfully queer line-up: Sikisa, Suzi Ruffell, Leila Navabi, Josh Jones, and Ben Hodge. Gorgeous stuff. For more information and tickets, click here!
Tickled Pink
Saturday 15th January, Online
Online and live, Tickled Pink isn’t messing around. Among the top line-up for this month is Eleri Morgan, Ania Magliano (at VAULT Festival with her new show next month), and Sara Palomarr (also at VAULT Festival with their comedy partner Angela Legg). More to be announced, but this should be enough to get you on board — it’s in your own house after all! For more information and tickets, click here!
Idiots. Gay idiots
Sunday 17th January, the Glory
Clowns, drag, comedians, sketches and idiots, gay idiots. (I’m in love with the name.) Grace Fool sort of hosts an actually iconic line-up at the Glory, with Brent Would, Shardeazy Afrodesiak, queen of the Greggs sausage roll Pasty, Jennifer Schmennifer, Abby Russell, Frankie Thompson, and Big Ben. I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve this but I will take it all. For more information and tickets, click here!
Desiree Burch: Unfuckable
Online, Amazon Prime
I’m currently working my way through Soho Theatre’s most recent delivery to Amazon Prime, in which you’ll find some really, really brilliant shows — Jessica Fostekew’s Hench and Sindhu Vee’s Sandhog have so far been next level. Desiree Burch’s Unfuckable is one of these fantastic offerings. She’s such a talented storyteller, not to mention hilarious. See why she won the Funny Women Awards in 2015, why don’t you? For more information, click here!
Brighton Nights
Wednesday 19th January, Komedia Brighton
The first Funny Women gig of the year is such a good line-up. 2019 finalist Celya AB headlines the show with performances from Jen Ives, Mary O’Connell, Rachel Creeger, recent finalist Sharon Wanjohi and host Andrea Hubert. I wish I could be in Brighton for this! For tickets and more information, click here!
