September comedy picks: Autumnal funnies

John Stansfield
Comedian Tony Law being made up for the stage

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 4th 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

Culture Guides

Exhibitions

Spring weather might be dragging its feet a little, but the world of exhibitions isn’t slowing down with new shows popping up everywhere to greet the new season.

The Bull and the Moon at Instituto Cervantes

Families

With spring’s indecisive weather in mind, we’ve pulled together a whole load of fun indoor and outdoor family events and activities taking place in Manchester and the North.

Poet Helen Mort.

Literature

Spring is making an entrance in live literature land with some extra special festival events, writing walks, online launches and in real life readings from local writers as well as international talent.

Music

From Father John Misty to The Flaming Lips, The Waeve to Big Thief, here are the gigs on our radar for early spring.

Theatre in Manchester and the North

Theatre

As an exciting new spring season of theatre launches, we share our top picks of performance happening now and over the next few months.

Classical Music

We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.

Food and Drink

Get ready for spring and summer with the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.

Cinema

Film festivals galore, samurai classics and the Greatest Film of All Time all feature in this month’s film guide.

Tours and Activities

From indie markets to bit-sized meditation, spoon carving workshops to gallery tours, here are the headlines in the world of tours and activities.