Live comedy picks: Hal Cruttenden, lots of Elis James and various other people we've written about of late

 

 

Edinburgh preview season rumbles on in London: tonight catch Rob Beckett and Joe Lycett (tipped and that) on a remarkable double bill at the Betsey Trotwood. Expect joy and teeth. 

 

Or see oft-political wiseman Nick Doody doing his free Edinburgh preview at The Bell in Shoreditch, of all places. Why, Nick. We never knew you were so cool. 

 

 

 

 

Kicking off tonight is the tremendous Old Vic Comedy & Variety Festival, including Scott Capurro, Bob Mills and 'many others' – full details in our festival picks over here.

 

Elsewhere, expect a combo of words (Welsh wag Elis James) and pictures (projector-lover David Trent) for FREE at the North London Tavern, up on the Kilburn Road; or head to the Vandella for Bosco's Basement, the cabaret showcase extraordinaire, which this week has the Real MacGuffins, Mae Martin, Catie Wilkins (presumably in pre-Edinburgh mode) and many more. 

 

You could also HAVE enjoyed one last Edinburgh preview to tip: Max & Ivan at the Pleasance in Islington. But they've sold out, so you might have to do a bit of calling in the hope of returns. The sketchy fellows didn't win that judge's panel award last summer for nothing, you know.

 

 

 

 

If you want to get away for a few days, you wouldn't go far wrong with Cornbury Festival and its huge comedy line-up – don't be put off by the Absolute Radio branding, this really does look the nuts. Find it on our festival clash-finder. 

 

Knock2Bag have a HUGE night at Bethnal Green's Rich Mix, headlined by Josie Long but also featuring *takes a deep breath* Frisky and Mannish, Elis James, Dr Brown and David Elms. 

 

Weekly improv 'sesh' Grand Theft Impro is not too far away at Deansways in Bethnal Green, if Knock2Bag doesn't grab you (or if it is full). 

 

Or if you're in town, the Found Footage Festival, the American show that rummages through old VHS tapes in the search for Funny, hits the Soho Theatre. 

 

 

 

 

It's the last night to catch Micky Flanagan's work in progress at the Soho Theatre – if you're a fan, £12.50 is as good a price as you're ever going to get so don't get caught out out (sorry, everyone). 

 

Otherwise, it's really all about the Udderbelly: Andrew Maxwell is playing, while the Best of the Comedy Store brings John Lynn, Scott Capurro, Terry Alderton and Andre Vincent to the purple cow.

 

 

 

 

After you will have OF COURSE read our chat with Hal Cruttenden from this week, you will be off to his Edinburgh preview at the Islington Pleasance. Alternatively, good old Geek Night Out features Josie Long (not geeky enough) and Luke Benson (not geeky enough). Must geek harder, guys. 

 

And we'll leave you with an inevitable fact: the Geek Night Out website is tremendous.