Preview: The Week Ahead April 29 - May 5

omid djalili

As I've written about elsewhere, May seems to mark the kick off of the comedy charity season. So why not start the month as you mean to go on by supporting a worthwhile cause while also having a laugh. This Wednesday at Shepherd's Bush Empire Marcus Brigstocke, Sara Pascoe and Isy Suttie headline a terrific bill in aid of War on Want. Brigstocke should definitely be worth seeing – he is always good value and judging by this recent interview he has plenty to talk about too. And make sure you arrive early enough for the stylish Alistair Barrie too.

Omid Djalili (pictured) must be one of the hardest working comedians in showbiz. Having appeared onstage in London in What The Butler Saw and on ITV1's Splash – or as we called it in our house Come Dive With Me – he now returns to stand-up with a lengthy run at the Leicester Square Theatre, mixing new material with some of his best old bits. And, quite possibly, some belly dancing and bongos. Nice to see him doing this intimate venue rather than a couple of bank manager-pleasing nights at the Hammersmith Apollo.

It is always good to see a comedian who has been around a while get the attention they deserve. Former musician Doc Brown (not to be confused with Foster's Award winner Dr Brown) has recently really found his comedy voice, mixing music and smart, subversive observational material with great results – check out his Lullaby rap. This may or may not be a recommendation, depending on what you think of Ricky Gervais, but the boss of The Office cast Brown in Derek and they appeared together in David Brent's Comic Relief comeback track Equality Street. Brown is at the Royal Albert Hall and the Udderbelly this week and touring – full details here.

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