2022 was a strong year for debut shows, in particular, with Jordan Gray, Erika Ehler, Thaniya Moore and Jen Ives among the highlights. Plenty are continuing to tour in 2023 – look out for Frankie Thowmpson, plus Lara Ricote and her fellow Edinburgh Best Newcomer nominees.
Meanwhile, veterans of the circuit Phil Wang and Josie Long are about to tour new shows, while a handful of interesting US performers (Patti Harrison, Catherine Cohen, Tim Heidecker, Emily Wilson) will be visiting this year, allowing fans across the UK to see them in the flesh.
Sketch and character comedy have a strong showing too – as well as Crybabies, look out for Shelf, Crizards, The Lovely Boys, Egg and Tarot. Comedy festivals in London, Leicester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberystwyth will also be packed with fresh offerings and the beginnings of brand new shows as the year unfolds.
Josie Long: Re-Enchantment
Josie Long is one of the UK’s most skilled standups and a strong voice in the face of injustice. She brings righteous anger and clear-minded takes on politics, tempered by hope, as Re-Enchantment explores new beginnings: her move to Glasgow, recent ADHD diagnosis and arrival of her second child.
Touring, 12 January – September
Crybabies: Bagbeard
This sci-fi themed comedy play from trio Crybabies was one of the highlights of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022. The eponymous Bagbeard, a mysterious creature from space, disrupts life in a small town, leading to a satisfying hour of parody without cliché, an amazing array of characters and well-crafted jokes, and a surprisingly emotional climax.
Soho Theatre, London, 16 – 21 January
Lara Ricote: GRL/LATNX/DEF
Lara Ricote is now a highly decorated comedian – recipient of the 2021 Funny Women Award and 2022’s Best Newcomer in Edinburgh. The Mexican-American standup crafts sharp jokes and compelling tales about her identity as a deaf Latin American woman, mixing dark humour with streaks of silliness.
Soho Theatre, London, 23 January – 4 February
Patti Harrison
UK audiences might recognise Patti Harrison from sitcom Shrill or sketch show I Think You Should Leave, where she steals scenes with her surreal characters. On stage, the US comic has created a pleasingly jarring show of anti-comedy where we’re never sure what’s coming next, interspersed with excellent musical parody.
Soho Theatre, London, 23 January – 18 February
Catherine Cohen: Come For Me
Crowned Best Newcomer at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, US comedian Catherine Cohen returns to the UK with her second live show. She blends stand-up, songs and tongue-in-cheek poetry with a powerful stage presence, and explores the uncertainty of millennial life with candour and originality. Early versions of this show were already delivering huge laughs.
Touring, 1 – 11 February
Sophie Duker: Hag
2022 was a fantastic year for Sophie Duker: she made her first Live at the Apollo appearance then took home the Taskmaster trophy. Now she’s following up her award-nominated Venus with Hag, a show about the joy of getting older and realising you don’t care what other people think anymore.
Touring, 4 February – 29 April
John Kearns: The Varnishing Days
Cult comedy favourite John Kearns might find himself edging into the mainstream after a Taskmaster performance that endeared him to the nation. The double Edinburgh comedy award-winner is back with his signature wig and teeth to deliver another hour of tragicomic surrealness.
Touring, 13 February – 3 June
Bridget Christie: Who Am I?
It’s the last chance to catch Bridget Christie’s latest standup show, a hilarious and astute exploration of the menopause, self-actualisation, and an encounter with a flasher. Featuring vivid act-outs, trademark belligerence and captivating anecdotes, it’s the perfect blend of funny and thought-provoking, and possibly her best show since A Bic For Her.
Touring, 4 – 18 March
Phil Wang: Wang in There, Baby!
From one-third of Daphne (one of the UK’s best sketch acts in recent times) to a standup star in his own right, Phil Wang has consistently delivered strong sets, drawing on his British-Malaysian background and wonderfully silly observations. His new show promises material on “race, family and nipples”.
Touring, 23 March – 18 June
Frankie Thompson: Catts
Catts is a creative mash-up of clowning, video and lip-synching, exploring inner turmoil and its physical manifestations. Held together by cat-shaped cultural touchpoints – from Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s musical to The Simpsons’ crazy cat lady – and a completely captivating performance from Thompson, it’s a unique, hilarious and poignant hour of comedy.
Soho Theatre, London, 2 – 6 May