Comedy: Brighton Fringe sneak previews, and this week’s picks

Hints & tips

Before anything else, here’s a heads up to find out about all of Komedia’s shows in the Brighton Fringe this year – they’re up! On the iconic venue’s website you will find – from the morning this magazine hits the stands (that’d be the Tuesday) – Komedia has got all of their listings for May on show, giving you a good old eyeful of the treats and wonders they’ve got in store for us this May.

Highlights include new shows from Patrick Monahan, Zoe Lyons and Tom Deacon, as well as fringe treats from newcomers Lili la Scala, The Kagools and Miss Glory Pearl. Really, it’s probably best to log on and have a good old explore yourself. The complete Brighton Fringe brochure comes out on Wednesday 4 March, which is when tickets to the shows go on sale, making this one of the best bits of window shopping for a while.

For more immediate laughter gratification there are quite a few treats in town this week. Over at The Old Market, the comedy troupe Austentatious comes to Brighton on Friday, improvising a brand new Jane Austen novel in front of your very eyes based on audience suggestions. Their debut tour last year sold out, and their shows up at the Edinburgh Fringe had queues out of the door and down the road to get in. A talented group indeed, garnering four- and five-star reviews everywhere they go.

Also on Friday, Lloyd Langford brings his latest show, ‘Old Fashioned’, to the Komedia. Wearing his metaphorical robe of ‘curmudgeonly old git’ with a wry smile, Langford examines the modern world and his own difficulties keeping up with it. A part of the comedy Welsh invasion, Langford is an uplifting delight.

Plus, the true treat that is Josie Long, in town on Thursday at the Corn Exchange and performing her most personal show to date. It’s even named after her niece! Long makes you think and feel, both in such a positive light you leave the venue with a glow that would put a ReadyBrek ‘80s kid to shame.

So take your pick, book your tickets, and support live comedy. It’s the only way to see extraordinary things up close and personal.

Komedia, www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
Austentatious, Friday 20 February 2015, 8pm, £14/12, The Old Market, www.theoldmarket.com
Lloyd Langford – Old Fashioned, Friday 20 February 2015, 8pm, £10/12, Komedia, www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
Josie Long – Cara Josephine, Thursday 19 February 2015, £14/12, Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, 01273 709709, brightondome.org

Pic: Josie Long by Giles Smith