Needless to say this activist/stand-up’s show features far more than just jokes, also offering ideas and information. As he explains: “Natural history is so full of freaky facts that when you tackle the complexity, you find that there is a wealth of detail, oodles of oddity which lend themselves to comedy.” Ponder over DNA, democratic buffalo and altruistic vampire bats as Newman asks: does co-operation drive evolution more than competition? Takes place 1-2 December, Cambridge Junction, 8pm. Tickets £11-£13.50.
Dave Gorman
The chirpy, beardy bloke behind Modern Life is Goodish presents a brand new comedy adventure through the everyday, in Dave Gorman Gets Straight To The Point. Gorman’s optimistic, observational brand of humour often has a narrative quality. Previous documentary-style shows have seen him crossing the globe to track down other Dave Gormans and cycling the length and breadth of Britain playing a gig each night. See him at Cambridge Corn Exchange on 5 December, 8pm. Tickets £20.
Frank Skinner
It’s a while since we’ve heard from Frank Skinner, who’s returning to the stage for the first time in over seven years, this time sporting a decidedly more grown-up look than the laddish footie enthusiast of yesteryear. It’s not just the comic’s appearance which has had a clean-up: Skinner claims that his whole routine is less smutty these days. That’s not to say that the funnyman has lost his ability to get a crowd roaring with laughter, riffing on everything from fame to multiplex snack food in this new show, Man in a Suit (in case you’re worried he’s gone a bit vanilla, we hear there’s still a good wedge of near-the-knuckle gags too). Frank Skinner is at Cambridge Corn Exchange on 12 December, tickets are £30, starts 7.30pm.
Russell Howard
Star of BBC Three’s award-winning Good News show, mischievous Bristolian Russell Howard (pictured) has become a household name across the country in the last few years. Utterly uncynical but cheeky, energetic and effortlessly hilarious, the comedian combines feel-good tales with good old-fashioned filth. He’ll be at the Corn Exchange on 13 December trying out new material and warming up for the autumn stint of his sold-out arena tour. Tickets £30.
