Knightmare Live - Level 2 - The Lowry, Salford

An evening of laughs, nostalgia, cheap sets and wonderfully over the top acting make this production anything but a Knightmare, a wistful trip down memory lane for those with an interest and no doubt an eye opening 'walk through dungeons deep and chasms dark' for those with none.

Audience can't help but laugh at comedy rookies

It might have been a charity event, but all the laughs were genuine as eight amazing volunteers did stand-up in front of hundreds of people after just 10 hours' training.

Well Crafted Filth: Craig Hill - Give Him An Inch

He is enormously great company--like the funniest guest you would long to have at a party, and at over an hour and fifteen minutes, still never outstays his welcome, barely pausing to catch his breath once. Could that be said about the obnoxious Frankie Boyle? The naughty wee man from East Kilbride has smashed it again, and the Tron just melts.

Helen Lederer: Stand-up terrifies me

She has enjoyed a 30-year career in comedy, but Helen Lederer has admitted she gets so scared of performing that she'll need hypnotherapy before her upcoming book tour.

The comic said that her time as a stand-up was "truly, utterly and honestly quite terrifying" and that she would torture herself over her overwhelming fear of "fluffing the act" or "f*cking-up a gag".

L Vaughan Spencer launches Kickstarter campaign

Motivational guru L Vaughan Spencer has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund his new live DVD, entitled Don't Be Needy Be Succeedy. Spencer is recording the show at the Comedy Store in London on November 17 and has said that this may be his last-ever live performance, though he may still be available for corporate bookings. L Vaughan Spencer is the creation of Comedy Store Player and actor Neil Mullarkey.

Micky Flanagan hoping for semi-autobiographical sitcom

Micky Flanagan has given an update about his plans to star in a sitcom. The stand-up comedian first announced his hopes to lead a new comedy series last year, and has now said that he wants to find the right script.

Seven questions with... Katy Brand

Katy Brand is a massively successful comedian and writer who has dipped her toes in virtually every water: she's worked as a stand up, appeared in films and countless television shows, had her own television series, written for newspapers and, most recently, written and published a novel. Here is a woman of obvious ability who is keen to push her own limits to achieve many exciting things and judging by her rich and varied career so far, we can only assume that there will be great things to come from this wonderful and talented comedy-machine.

Noel Fielding interview

Noel Fielding, The Mighty Boosh surrealist funnyman, is taking his unique brand of Luxury Comedy on a massive tour of the UK.

Andrew Lawrence's comedy ideas need to be challenged

I knew this day was coming. It is no secret that people are starting to kick off about that lack of diversity in comedy. In my job I am basically considered an alien. If you are not male, white, middle class, heterosexual or British you are quickly resigned to the 'other' section. Sound familiar? Now I am not going to say I have not reaped the benefits of a market saturated with hundreds very similar guys. Because I have. That is how 'supply and demand' works. The shorter the supply, the higher the demand. However, I will not be told that the only reason I am where I am today is because of 'surreal' diversity targets as the recent rant by Andrew Lawrence suggests.

Whatever Happened To The Whitehall Farce?

These days the term "Whitehall farce" suggests headlines of bungling bureaucracy or some government cock-up. It's largely forgotten that the term nods to the theatre at the other end of the famous thoroughfare. From 1950, the Whitehall Theatre housed five long-running comic plays and in so doing made its name synonymous with the sub-genre.

Leslie Phillips returns home after suffering a stroke

Beloved veteran actor Leslie Phillips has returned home from hospital, after having made a remarkable recovery following a stroke.

The 90-year-old collapsed on a crowded bus while on a shopping trip on London's Oxford Street nine weeks ago, causing nationwide concern over his health.

However, the British icon has now left hospital and is now back at home with his wife Zara after successfully regaining his powers of speech.

Review: Celia Pacquola, Soho Theatre

Pacquola has an extremely winning personality and she needed it last night. It was one of those occasions when there was a, how can I put this? oh, I know, bell end in the audience, who seemed to want to have a one-to-one conversation with the performer mid-gig.

Interview: Noel Fielding

Most people know Noel Fielding best as his eccentric zoo-keeper alter ego, Vince Noir, from The Mighty Boosh. However, in the years since that particular smash hit series, Noel has continued to bring his distinctive surreal style of comedy to the stage and screen - he is currently on the road with a massive UK tour, An Evening with Noel Fielding.

Ian Moore - how I write comedy

Stand-up, novelist, Fighting Talk regular, snappy dresser, dressing room pacer and "English grump in rural France", Ian Moore, shares his tips.

Writing 'Welcome to Our Village..." from script 0 to 8

I know a writer who recently told his dad it took him about four months to write a one-hour script. His dad's response: 'You should learn to touch-type.'

WaterAid announces It's No Joke! Comedy Festival

WaterAid is proud to announce the inaugural World Toilet Day: It's No Joke! Comedy Festival, coming to a loo near you this November!

Viz co-creator Simon Donald on his battle with MS

Viz co-creator Simon Donald has been talking to The Independent newspaper about his battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), the same condition that took his mother's life. Below are some of the highlights.

Stone me, is it really 60 years since the first Hancock

What's more, he's been dead for 46 of those years. I don't remember him, actually. I was just a nipper at the time. But, by golly, he's influential beyond the grave.