Before 5pm, Comedy

Just A Minute/One Show Gyles won multiple five stars for his last Edinburgh sell-out. Now the award-winning raconteur and ex MP explores the secrets of How to Be Happy. 'Incredibly funny, wildly indiscreet' (Daily Mail).

Glamorous Amorous! The Lady Boys of Bangkok are back with a fabulous new show for 2013! Dripping with diamante and sizzling on stage with new songs and side splitting comedy. From J-Lo to Whitney, the stars and chart-topping hits just keep on coming. Party like there’s no tomorrow with The Lady Boys of Bangkok: Europe's…

The debut stand-up show from Irish comedian Daniel McLaughlin, featuring his unique take on everything from religion to sport and much more. Suitable for ages 18+.

Find our bar and boutique stage at The Famous Spiegel Garden where a daily performance space will be on offer for all. Follow @aperolspritzUK for more information on how to apply and audition #321SpritzStage Afternoon & evening slots available. Suitable for ages 18+.

A night of comedy madness from this highly-acclaimed sketch show featuring surreal characters and 80s power ballads.

Regular freestyle comedy wizards Paul Graham and Stuart Murphy fire up the imagination with another slice of improv action.

Presumably inspired by those ridiculous Bic For Her biros the internet went crazy for this year, Christie's latest show also looks at the sensuality of a good mac and getting all up in the patriarchy's grill. Good stuff.

• Written by: Martin McDonagh

A violent, dark, searingly funny comedy from Martin McDonagh, award-winning playwright (The Pillowman, The Lieutenant Of Inishmore) and film maker (In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths).

• Written by: Joan Greening

The lives of Nell Gwynn, Lillie Langtry, Dorothy Jordan and the loves of Dante Gabriel Rossetti are woven into this historical drama. With pathos and bawdy humour, these mistresses of Kings and artists tell heart-rending tales of love, lust and laughter.

Utterly mad Canadian stand-up Tony Law brings you pure, unadulterated nonsense from throughout history.

• Directed by: Christopher Luscombe
• Written by: Graham Greene (book)

David Bamber, Jonathan Hyde, Gregory Gudgeon and Iain Mitchell will portray a host of characters in Giles Havergal's adaptation of the anarchic comedy, from Graham Greene's novel. Director is Christopher Luscombe.

• Written by: Alan Ayckbourn

A battle between Sylvie and Celia over who's going to play Boudicca at the forthcoming village fete forces Toby to make a life-changing choice between love and art in this tender, savage and very, very funny play. A Mercury Theatre Made In Colchester Production.

• Directed by: Psyche Stott
• Written by: Dennis Potter

Northern Stage presents Dennis Potter's loss-of-innocence drama in which seven children play together in the English countryside during a wartime summer. Directed by Psyche Stott.

• Written by: Howard Korder

Howard Korder's hilarious story of three former college pals making it big in New York with the women of their desires. Set during 1988.

Brighton’s most creative tour! A unique/off-centre trip through Brighton’s strange history and cult-ure, including: magic, mysticism, comedy, time machines, and an origami lesson. Does Brighton have an underground river? How are the Old Steine, Stonehenge and the CERN particle accelerator related? Has one of Brighton’s…

• Written by: Brandon Thomas

Creative Cow presents the famous farce about dashing Oxford undergraduates, Jack and Charley who are preparing to propose to Amy and Kitty, but a chaperon is needed or the girls will refuse their lunch invitation.

• Directed by: Michael Rudman
• Written by: Francois Billetdoux

'Cool Beans' is a feature-length show that has been handmade by performers with learning disabilities. Through dancing and acting, our funny characters come to life as we explore the four seasons through the use of exciting music and sounds, creative costumes, animation, sensory lighting and shadow imagery. ‘Cool Beans…

• Directed by: Chris Holmes
• Written by: George Bernard Shaw

Featuring an array of larger than life medics, hilarious in their absurdity, who make a rich living peddling quack remedies to a credulous public, George Bernard Shaw's 1906 play brilliantly satirises the private medical profession of his day.

Live comedy for younger fans, particularly those aged 8–12. Every month a selection of comedians tweaks their material for the toughest audience on the planet. No under 5s; all kids must be accompanied by an adult.

• 60 min

They say all political careers end in tears. In Gyles Brandreth's case it's tears of laughter as the actor, author, One Show reporter, former MP and government whip turns stand-up. This is Brandreth unleashed on the stars he's known (one-to-one) and the wicked ways of Westminster (no expenses spared). Without hesitation…