Ross Noble is back in the capital for his UK tour, Russell Brand and Noel Gallagher unite for a charity fundraiser and three big name stand-ups top the bill at the Bloomsbury Theatre...
Ross Noble
Hackney Empire, E8 Brixton Academy, SW9
The Geordie impro master is based in Australia for much of the year these days but he is back in the capital as part of his annual UK tour. This show is called Fizzy Logic which is as good a way of summing up Noble's style as any. On a buzzing night and with a helpful audience he sizzles with off-the-cuff gags, linking them neatly to a scripted comic spine. On form nobody, apart from the Pub Landlord, does banter as well. (020 8985 2424/020 7771 2000) Hackney: Sat 4 & Sun 5 Nov, 8pm; Brixton: Mon 6 Nov, 8pm.
Felix Dexter
Catford Broadway
Even if you don't know the name you ought to know Felix Dexter's face. He is one of the stalwarts of British black comedy, appearing in hits ranging from The Real McCoy to Absolutely Fabulous. More recently he has become one of the regular moaners on Grumpy Old Men, and this is the comic attitude he brings to the stage. Expect quality observational whinges punctuated by versatile character comedy/ (020 8690 0002) Fri 3 Nov, 8pm.
Ardal O'Hanlon, Dara O'Briain, Lee Mack
Bloomsbury Theatre, WC1
Three of the most effective stand-ups in the game top this bill in aid of The Aisling Project, which supports vulnerable Irish people in London. O'Hanlon, who has been a long-time supporter of the charity, is a brilliant comic who blazed a trail for that distinctively celtic mix of wit, wisdom and cuddly surrealism. O'Briain needs no introduction and Mack is a superb quickfire comic, partalternative, part Butlinsredcoat. (020 7388 8822). Sat 4 Nov, 7.30pm.
