The most popular comedy shows in London

Concept comedy lunatic Adam Riches has deployed a Sharpe-era Sean Bean impression throughout his career, and now he brings it back for what is here described as a ‘(k)night of chaotic buffoonery, to give you bastards a Christmas present you’ll never forget’. We wouldn't want to speculate on what it literally consists of, although we’re led to believe games may be involved. 

Brilliantly high concept sketch absurdists Sheeps appeared to disband with last year’s fine Fringe show The Giggle Bunch, and it is certainly possible that they’ll never do another full-length show again. Since then, however, they’ve made an extremely improbable Christmas album – A Very Sheeps Christmas – and this Christmas they’ll be reuniting to perform it for one nights only. Seasonaly appropriate or not, it’ll be a laugh, and will feature copious special guests: Lolly Adefope, Emma Sidi, Phil Ellis, Ania Magliano, Ben Ashenden, John Tothill, Amy Annette, Johnny White Really-Really and Jenny Bede.

Adding to London’s annual calvalcade of adaptations of A Christmas Carol, here’s deluded thespian Count Arthur Strong – aka character comedian Steve Delaney – with the final dates on an extensive UK tour that has seen him present his ill-advised one-man version of the Dickens classic across the length and breadth of the nation.

A group of comedians – including Amy Annette, Jack Rooke, Lolly Adefope, Nish Kumar, James Acaster, Charlie Craggs, Himesh Patel – sing carols, in aid of FiveforFive, a mutual aid charity that supports trans people directly. The idea, obviously, is that this is amusing rather than simply a series of solemn versions of ‘Silent Night’ et al. 

Slapstick comedy sensation Starr attempts to perform every single Penguin Classic novel – from Frankenstein to The Grapes of Wrath – over the course of one joyously bonkers 70-minute show. Do not expect to learn that much about English literature.

Nigerian standup Bamgboye took the best newcomer award at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Swings and Roundabouts her debut show which charted her move to the UK in her twenties, and showcased her often disorientating mastery of accents. Critics praised her confidence, poise and original, outsider-ish eye on British culture.

Anarchic US-based comedy night Stamptown returns to London for a couple of big pre-Christmas shows, with a stellar line-up of guests that includes Rosie Jones, Aisling Bea, Elf Lyons, Vittoria Angelone, Jordan Gray, Huge Davies, Zaki Musa, Cory Peter Lane, Sikisa, Martin Urbano, Joey Dardano, Steffen Hanes, Marshall Arkley, Flo & Joan, Olga Koch, Jonny Woolley and more. As ever the show is hosted by ‘bad boy of clown’ Zach Zucker.

Fancy yourself a bit of a comedian? Ever wanted to go on a game show? Now is your chance. The Audience Vs is a brand-new live comedy gaming show, where audience members go head to head with real-life celebs. Hosted by Glenn Moore, created by journalist Simon Parkin and produced by Taskmaster honchos Avalon, the game will see punters battle comedians in retro video games, including Mario Kart, Street Fighter and Grand Theft Auto. Previous guests include Phil Wang, Sarah Keyworth, Ellie Gibson, and Sooz Kempner, with upcoming guests including Frankie Ward, Iain Stirling, Jamali Maddix and John Robertson. 

15 acts compete in this heat of the 2013 Laughing Horse New Act of the Year competition, plus MC Lewis Bryan.