Our comedy picks for Manchester and Liverpool in September – including Tony Law, Quippodrome and Gein’s Family Giftshop.

Quippodrome at Gullivers

Manchester’s ‘not ready for prime time players’ The Quippodrome bring their heady mix of sketch, character and powerpoint comedy to Gullivers for the second time. A night genuinely like no other the, four mad geniuses that make up the Quippodrome create a whirlwind of surreal comedy. Support comes from master thespian Randolph Tempest. Mon 7 Sep, 7.30pm. Tickets £4

Sarah Franken at Kosmonaut

Taking the brave step to start performing as her true self back in April, the satirist formerly known as Will Franken took her show Who Keeps Making All These People? to the Edinburgh Festival whilst the posters and listings still flouted her birth name. Making absolutely no difference to the anarchic break neck speed of the performer, Franken now seems more at ease with an audience and willing to break even more barriers than usual. Thu 24 Sept, 8pm. Tickets £5

Tony Law at Joshua Brooks

Take a trip – both metaphorical and probably hallucinatory – with Tony Law as he invites you into his warped brain. He never knows what he might find rattling around in there so you can bet he’ll be just as surprised as you are. One of the best stand-up comics around, Law is supported by Duncan Oakley and Kate McCabe at a venue you might not usually associate with the art form, showing just how much Manchester’s thriving comedy scene is changing. Sat 26 Sep, 7pm. Tickets £8

Gein’s Family Giftshop at 81 Renshaw Street

Following hot on the heels of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the Liverpool Comedy Festival, pulling in a healthy mix of local and national acts. After a recent sell out run of shows at the Fringe, Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees Gein’s Family Giftshop bring their second volume of sketch madness to the intimate confines of 81 Renshaw Street. One for fans of The League of Gentlemen and P.E. Kits. Thu 24 Sep, 7pm. Tickets £5

Liam Pickford at 81 Renshaw Street

Another Edinburgh success, aging wunderkind Liam Pickford is fresh of the back of placing runner up in the coveted student comedy awards. ‘Seaside Cock Novelties’ will be his first hour long show, and having drawn comparisons to the likes of Johnny Vegas, he is perhaps more akin to Dylan Moran in his eloquent misanthropy. Fri 25 Sep, 9pm. Tickets £5

The Kagools at 81 Renshaw Street

Another recent Edinburgh favourite The Kagools combine physical comedy, sketch and film to bring you into their weird and wonderful world. Suitable for all ages The Kagools have been gaining rave reviews for their performances. The Liverpool Comedy Festival runs until 4^th October and there is much more on, and more venues than just 81 Renshaw Street where these three acts can be found. Sat 26 Sep, 5pm. Tickets £5