Comedy: TOM’s new season

Offering a vast variety, from Tim Key’s poetry to Rory McGrath’s misanthropy, at The Old Market

With all of these Edinburgh preview shows, it’s good to remind ourselves that there are just plain fabulous shows that’ll make you laugh coming to town, without any affiliation to a festival or fringe whatsoever. And a number of them are at friendly, local venue The Old Market.

First off, coming to town next week are Rory McGrath and Philip Pope with their new show Bridge Over Troubled Lager (Friday 25 July, 8pm, £12/10), mixing dad-rock with wit and a healthy dollop of silliness and filth. It’s the follow-up to The Dark Side Of The Moob, and shows off these two friends who have worked in comedy for years, to the enjoyment of the audience and the performers. There’s even one of those pesky Edinburgh previews (from TWINS – Jack Barry and Annie McGrath) as support.

August sees two exclusive pre-tour warm-up fundraisers from Simon Evans, of his critically acclaimed show Leashed (Thursday 7 Aug and Friday 8 Aug, £10). Already a hit, this hour-long performance explores Evans’ yearning for a misremembered youth and its freedom, as well as his efforts to reconnect with it. A regular on TV panel shows, as well as his own BBC Radio 4 show, it’s always a treat to see him connecting with his home Hove crowd.

Shows for October are also already being booked in at The Old Market, with some surprises. Last time he was in town with a solo show, Mark Watson played the Brighton Dome’s Concert Hall. This time he’s altogether more immediate at The Old Market (Mark Watson: Flaws, Wednesday 8 Oct, 7.30pm, £16), with what promises to be his darkest and most personal show yet. Other highlights include Tim Key (Tim Key: Single White Slut, Tuesday 7 Oct, 8pm, £15/13.50), Danny Bhoy (Danny Bhoy: Please Untick This Box, Thursday 9 Oct, 7.30pm, £15), Tony Law (Tony Law: Enter The Tonezone, Friday 17 Oct, 7.30pm, £14/10) and Knightmare Live Level 2 (Saturday 18 Oct, 7.30pm, £16/14) – for all of you kids of the ‘80s.

So pull out your diaries and stop moping about the end of previews. There’s so much more fun to come.
The Old Market, 01273 201800, www.TheOldMarket.com