enjoyable manufacturing facility: the superior comedy of summer time 2016 - The Guardian

Clockwise from top left, Sara Pascoe, Reggie Watts, Bridget Christie, Pappy's. photograph: Anna Gordon, Anthony Pidgeon/Redferns, Idil Sukan

Having ducked out of last yr's Edinburgh fringe to put in writing a book concerning the female physique and attitudes against it, the tremendous-wise and endearing Sara Pascoe is returned with that e-book and an accompanying tour. The latter is billed as an exploration of the limits of empathy, and early experiences indicate one more first-rate nugget of intellectually inquiring and self-deprecating standup.• 6 may additionally, West end Centre, Aldershot. Then touring to 30 June.

highbrow enquiry … Sara Pascoe. image: Sophia Evans for the Observer

After years away from standup, Baddiel scored a deserved hit in 2013 with his thoughtful, self-exposing comedy lecture on superstar, fame (no longer the Musical). Its comply with-up, a peek behind the cliches and evasions of family unit lifestyles, addresses his dad's affliction and the recent death of his mum. He informed the Guardian: "I'm going to focus on problematic stuff – intercourse and dementia and death. it is via a ways probably the most elaborate issue I've ever written."•10 may additionally to 25 June, Menier Chocolate manufacturing unit, London.

intercourse and dementia … David Baddiel.

In her 2015 exhibit, a tie-in with A book for Her, it turned into captivating to peer Bridget Christie relocating past the feminist agenda that's made her one of UK comedy's unmissable stars. This yr's show, previewing all through the summer season, continues the technique. Ostensibly about mortality, it additionally promises jokes about Motörhead vibrators, water massage, and the Tories. A extra eclectic set, then, however it looks as if Christie's lovably clownish crusading comedy could be prominent within the combine.• four June, Wells comedy pageant; 20 June to 6 July at Soho theatre; then on the Edinburgh fringe.

After revivals on the Edinburgh fringe and ultimate year in the West end, the venerable improv-games structure returns another time. At a boom time for improv in the UK, with excursions and West conclusion runs for indicates akin to Austentatious and Showstopper!, it is still a deal with to look these comedy historic-timers (Josie Lawrence, Greg Proops, Colin Mochrie et al) throwing themselves right into a succession of ridiculous, off-the-cuff scenarios.• 9 to 19 June, London Palladium.

"To me," says Florida standup Todd Barry, "[having] no material sounds extra unique and a little extra unhealthy." Barry is a veteran of the USA standup scene and no stranger to Brit audiences. He's carried out his wry, downbeat comedy right here and starred in tv suggests together with Flight of the Conchords and Louie. What's new is the reveal. Crowd Work is a collection with no prepared fabric, consisting wholly of off-the-cuff interactions along with his viewers. commonly carried out within the States, Barry's boredom-busting experiment now arrives within the UK.• 13 June, Pub/Zoo, Manchester; 14 to 18 June, Soho theatre, London.

The comedy jamboree pitches its huge true for a fifth yr, with a knockout lineup, including oddball 2014 Edinburgh award champ John Kearns, free-associating US duo Pajama guys, the cult darkish-comedy double act Cardinal Burns and Josie lengthy. The competition also facets a special edition of Adam Buxton's music video and online flotsam display worm, this one committed to the life and work of David Bowie.• 28 June to three July, Queen square, Bristol.

Bowie tribute … Adam Buxton graphic: Katherine Anne Rose for the Observer Hut-honed … Mark Thomas. picture: Steve Ullathorne

Mark Thomas's red Shed is billed because the final part of an autobiographical trilogy that all started with Bravo Figaro and endured with Cuckooed. he is launching the demonstrate in Edinburgh, however before then, there's a fairly wide tour of the work-in-growth celebrating the 50th anniversary of Wakefield's Labour club, a picket hut by which the younger Thomas honed his political recognition and performed his first gigs.• 28 to 29 June, Jacksons Lane, London. Then visiting.

aside from Edinburgh, there's nowhere you'll see greater comedians this summer than at the Latitude pageant, where the comedy tent positively heaves with high-end standup and sketch ability. Pappy's are there with their Secret Dudes Society; so too are the Boy With Tape on His Face and last year's Edinburgh award champ Sam Simmons. There's also a one-off consult with with the aid of US vocalist/beatboxer weirdo Reggie Watts, who's performing at the Southbank, London, on the same day.•14 to 17 July, Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk.

Latitude certain … Pappy's.

nobody gets het up about minutiae (massage, mariachi bands, trips to Pret a Manger) fairly like James Acaster, and no person's suggests are rather so intricately developed. That seductive mixture has propelled him to an unparalleled four Edinburgh comedy award nominations in a row. likelihood is he'll be up there again at this 12 months's fringe with Reset, a reveal about wiping the slate clean and having your time once more.•three to 28 August, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh.

Socking it to mariachi bands … James Acaster.

fans of simple, knockabout good enjoyable will welcome the return of Nick Mohammed's alter ego Mr Swallow, whose spoof Dracula musical was the sort of highlight of the 2014 fringe. This time, our self-absorbed and highly strung host sets about telling the story of the legendary escapologist Houdini, complete with a endeavor of his most infamous trick. Kieran Hodgson, a comedy award nominee in 2015, co-stars.• 6 to twenty-eight August, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh.