Top comedy acts are trying out their new shows in London before heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. Edinburgh previews in June and July are a great way to see established stars and up-and-coming acts in small venues and often at bargain prices.

Do bear in mind that previews are works in progress – lineups may change at late notice and some shows may not yet be finished (although this can result in additional laughs as a performer takes risks to test things out.)

Hen and Chickens

A stalwart choice for previews, the upstairs of the Hen and Chickens pub in Highbury is home to an intimate theatre. Among the previews, two Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominees from last year will be teaming up for a new sketch show – Totally Tom (23 July).

Pleasance Theatre

A stream of top acts will try material out at Pleasance in Islington, which has a sister venue in Edinburgh. Highlights include BBC Radio 1 DJ Tom Deacon (9-10 July) and the warm-up from Carl Donnelly (11 and 16 July), whose routine Different Gravy promises excerpts from his unpublished and hugely embellished autobiography.

Words Words Words at Off Broadway

Off Broadway bar in Hackney puts on its Words, Words, Words comedy night every Wednesday. One preview to see if you haven’t had the delight is Helen Arney, the geeky ukulele-playing lady who isn’t afraid to blend science with laughs in her show Voice of an Angle (18 July).

Downstairs at The King’s Head

Head to this friendly pub in Crouch End for a first look at gigs from the likes of Paul Sinha (31 July), who will tell the tale of his “horrifyingly misjudged” trip to the Himalayas last Christmas.

TOP PREVIEWS TO CATCH

Joe Lycett: Some Lycett Hot

Who? Lycett is one to watch after winning the Chortle Award for Best Newcomer 2010 and making it as a BBC Radio 2 New Comedy Award finalist last year. He has supported Jack Whitehall on tour and this is his debut show.

Where? Pleasance, Hen and Chickens, Crack Comedy Club, Camden Head and more.

Iain Stirling: Happy to be the clown?

Who? Another debut show from a rising star – Scottish Stirling is doing some self-analysis in his routine, to work out why he is such a clown. He’s also a presenter of the CBBC kids show Help! My Supply Teacher’s Magic.

Where? Pleasance and more.

Fran Moulds: Significant Human Error 

Who? You might have heard Moulds on BBC Radio 4 as part of the all-female sketch troop the Umbrella Birds. Now she’s going it alone in her first solo show which sees her inhabit six original characters – such as base-jumping Aussie Ryan and Morgana, a celeb newspaper correspondent.

Where? Pleasance, Lost Theatre and more.

Do you have any tips for Edinburgh previews in London?

Noises Off

“Great cast and excellent production, however slightly let down by not being able to hear occasional lines of dialogue. I love farce and did enjoy it, but judging by the very receptive audience, not quite as much as everyone else!”
Tom Butler, Camberwell

“Noises off is pure farce and I loved every second of it. As the characters and story developed, it got funnier and funnier and by the time the cactus worked its magic on Robert Glenister, I was crying with laughter along with the majority of the audience. If you like silly comedy performed perfectly by talented actors, you’ll love this.”
Lettice, South London

“The audience around me loved this energetic farce, but I found myself only mildly entertained. The cast had great comic timing and made this physically demanding role look spontaneous and easy. However, Noises Off was just too repetitive and slapstick for me. Not my cup of tea (or plate of sardines in this case).”
Jenny, South London

“I was sceptical about Noises Off but was pleasantly surprised. Traditional farce – slamming doors and clothing malfunctions galore - sends shivers down my spine. But despite an abundance of both these elements, there was a constant stream of giggles with a few big laughs thrown in. A masterclass in precision comic timing, Celia Imrie was a joy to watch.”
Jo, London

“Act one of the play seems pretty farcical, but compared to the third act, it’s straight-laced. I found myself laughing more and more as the show went on, the plot is completely ridiculous but you have to be lacking a funny bone not to get into the swing of it. The cast are great, particularly Celia Imrie and overall it’s a very well-polished performance.”
Laura, Camberwell

“Noises Off is a slapstick farce, where comedy moments include characters’ trousers falling down and their shoelaces being tied together. Despite being slightly dated in its humour, the show made for an entertaining evening. It was well-acted and I found parts of it reasonably amusing, while loud guffaws indicated that other audience members found it hilarious. Many people love this show and see it again and again. If you’re a fan if slapstick comedy, you’ll probably love it too.”
Hannah, North London

“Fantastic! The all-star cast delighted the audience with a fast-paced and sharp, laugh-a-minute adaptation. Will definitely be recommending Noises Off to friends!”
Lisa Taylor, Bermondsey

“I really enjoyed Noises Off, I haven’t laughed that much in ages, I thought the play was very original and if you are suffering the January blues, it’s a real pick me up!”
Kirsty, South London

Noises Off at The Old Vic until 25 February 2012. Book tickets

I hadn’t known what to expect from Jerry Seinfeld at The O2. He’s best known for co-creating and starring in American sitcom Seinfeld, which was phenomenally successful in the US but wasn’t as popular here in the UK. While other US imports such as Friends, Sex and the City and ER were enjoying prime time TV slots on Channel 4, Seinfeld was being shown somewhere else late at night. I didn’t watch it and I didn’t know anyone else who did.

What I did know is that Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy is valued pretty highly – he reportedly turned down a $5 million dollar an episode deal to continue starring in Seinfeld, and tickets for his show at The O2 on Friday night cost a minimum of £70. From the packed arena on Friday, it was obvious that plenty of people were willing to pay that.

And so it came to Jerry Seinfeld’s stand-up show – 90 minutes of observational comedy, starting with the notion that “life sucks” and running through topics including marriage, mobile phones, Twitter, sitting, coffee and kids.

Jerry Seinfeld has been in the comedy business for more than 20 years – and that experience shows. There were no gaps, no going off on a tangent, despite the diverse range of topics, the comedy flowed easily from one thing to the next.

There were a lot of “it’s funny because it’s true” moments in the show and the next day I found myself constantly recalling (and annoying my friends with) anecdotes. “That reminds me of something Seinfeld said last night,” was my most-used sentence of the day.

Did you see Jerry Seinfeld at The O2? What did you think?

• Jerry Seinfeld at The O2: 3 Jun
• Lee Evans at Wembley Arena: 14-18 Sep
• Peter Kay at The O2: Apr & Jun dates
• Stephen K Amos at Hammersmith Apollo: 20-21 May
• Jenny Eclair at Bloomsbury Theatre: 28 May

The Helliwells, the Soppitts and the Parkers were all married on the same day in the same chapel. Twenty-five years on they meet up to celebrate their joint wedding anniversaries. Recreating the special moment is all going to plan until the local organist delivers some shocking news: the minister who conducted the service was not authorised to do so and consequently they are all single and carefree.

The thick red curtain lifts to reveal a stunning Victorian sitting room setting (courtesy of Simon Higlett). The audience gasped in admiration. The play, When We Are Married, is just over two hours long, but despite the length it feels slightly rushed towards the end, perhaps because the story is brought to an unsatisfactory, abrupt conclusion with little explanation.

The cast are strong and seem to enjoy frolicking about the Garrick stage to showcase J.B Priestley’s wit and farcical naughtiness. Maureen Lipman is particularly thrilling to watch as the uptight Clara Soppitt. Her character undergoes a mortifying change as her newly unmarried husband realises he is no longer obliged to accept her bullying. The other star is Roy Hudd as the hysterical drunken photographer Henry Ormonroyd. He dances and sings with bounding joy seemingly unaware of what is going on around him.

One last mention must go to Ruby Birtle who is a tour de force as the energetic maid Jodie McNee, she is absolutely hilarious to watch.

A most entertaining comedy – definitely worth going to see.

When We Are Married is on until 26 February. Book When We Are Married tickets here.

BBC sketch show stars Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller brought their latest brilliant comedy tour to the Fairfield Halls in Croydon last night.

The show was painfully funny and featured plenty of favourite characters, including the delightfully preposterous vampires and the World War II airmen, who made repeated hilarious appearances.

The show really got going when the characters started involving audience members in their disturbing worlds. One poor lass found herself giggling on stage in the dentist’s chair while Armstrong probed her teeth.

I think they might have thought we were a tough crowd, but the sound wasn’t very clear, particularly during the songs which meant we were working hard to hear them.

Aside from the airmen sketches, the best bit was running into the boys themselves coming out of Croydon’s Bella Italia when we popped in for a pre-theatre meal! I was too astonished and star-struck to say anything, but was impressed with Alexander Armstrong’s taste in knitted cable hats.

You’ve still got time to see Armstrong and Miller’s show in London at the New Wimbledon Theatre next week and there’s plenty more great comedy in London this winter.

Yesterday I popped into Heaven & Earth, a striking new exhibition of African photography at the Menier Gallery.

Snapped by Cape Town photographer Caroline Gibello, the sundrenched, over-exposed photos show the wildlife, landscape and people of Botswana and Namibia in a new light – literally.

Instead of lush greenery and the bright colours we usually associate with Africa, the photos have a stark, dried-out feel. This is intensified by the choice of subject matter – the cracked texture of elephant hide, dry grasses and local people walking through clouds of dust.

The photos reminded me of the increasing water shortages in Africa, and beyond. However, the unusual beauty of the wildlife and landscape, plus joyful photo names such as Courage, Spirit and Reverence, can’t help but lift your spirit.

Judge for yourself by stopping in at the exhibition. Make a night of it by nipping next door to Menier Chocolate Factory for dinner or to catch Samuel and Timothy West in A Number, the downstairs theatre’s thought-provoking new show.

Myerson Fine Art presents Heaven & Earth at Menier Gallery until 30 October.  Entrance is free.

Happily, the original writers (Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn) have kept much of the classic comedy that makes the TV show so watchable. And the actors taking over from Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne, the excellent comic David Haig and the ever-brilliant Henry Goodman (read our interview with the latter here) are just as skilled as those they replace.

The script is updated, with references to BlackBerrys, the coalition, and the financial crisis, and packs in many laughs about politics, political relationships, foreign policy, and the BBC.

We asked a few audience members what they thought of the show:

Jonny, 25, Tunbridge Wells
Yes, Prime Minister was an enjoyable night out. Henry Goodman and David Haig combined impeccably, and although not hilarious, it was witty and entertaining. It also made sense for me, despite having seen very little of the original series. Worth going for Sir Humphrey Appleby’s (Henry Goodman) over-educated hyperbolic piffle alone!

Jo, 27, Battersea
Henry Goodman was as brilliant as ever – a complete chameleon actor who does justice to every role he plays, and his Sir Humphrey is no different. An hour and a half is possibly too long for the plot line (which flips between witty satire and pure farce), but this is not just a re-hash of the old Yes, Prime minister series, as the writers have adeptly updated the issues and context whilst retaining the style of the TV show.  

Madelene, 37, London
The new version of Yes, Prime Minister is not a far distance away from the original television version, sharp wit and killer lines, as well as a comical view of who may actually guide our political decisions.

Jane, 30, London
 Yes, Prime Minister was pleasing and nostalgic, although the update feels a bit old fashioned in comparison to shows like The Thick Of It. The supporting cast were excellent, especially Jonathan Slinger as Bernard.

Jenny, 27, Essex
I’m not really familiar with the TV show but I enjoyed the stage version of Yes, Prime Minister. Although the plot was pretty thin, the play was full of jokes and kept me amused all the way through. David Haig was great as the Prime Minister and it’s always a treat to see Henry Goodman on stage. This was the first comic role I’d seen him play. I’d say he’s more suited to a dramatic role than comedy, but he did make a very smooth Sir Humphrey!

Stephen, 37, Oxford
Good fun. Longer and more extreme than the TV series, the writers seem to have become more bitter and cynical over the years, but hasn’t everyone? Glad to see that Sir Humphrey is still a Balliol man.

Yes, Prime Minister plays at the Gielgud until 15 July next year. Book tickets here. Have you seen the show? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.

When a student sends him an excellent script for a new comic thriller called (funnily enough) Deathtrap, Sidney and his nervy wife Myra joke about killing the young upstart and claiming the play, and the money it’s sure to make, for themselves.

That’s really all I can reveal about the plot of the twisty, pacy, comic thriller Deathtrap which opened in the West End this week. Anything more, and I’d be giving the game away. Although, I can say it’ll make you laugh.

And it’ll definitely make you jump.

Deathtrap takes place in Sidney’s study; a room you’ll instantly spot is littered with potential weapons. Designer Rob Howell’s impressive set is a murderer’s dream: curtains over doors, a spooky staircase leads upstairs, and there’s a slight feeling that there’s nowhere to hide… The constant references to the fact that the house is in the middle of nowhere just enhance the tension.

Russell Beale plays the ageing playwright Sidney with a suitably self-loathing air. In contrast, Jonathan Groff’s naive but precocious young writer, Cliff, really sparkles with irritating confidence. (Glee fans will be pleased to hear there’s more than a little of Jesse St James in this, Groff’s West End debut: the same smarmy insincerity, as well as those sudden flashes of buried, manic anger…)

Less convincing is Estelle Parsons as batty psychic neighbour Helga ten Dorp. The constant references to the fact that she’s a funny character only serve to highlight that she’s not, and her final summing up of the play in the last act felt like a real waste of time.

But if you like comic, knowing, self-referential melodrama, with an element of the thriller and a touch of silliness mixed in, you’ll love Ira Levin’s witty play. And it’ll probably have you double checking you’ve locked the back door at night…

Deathtrap at the Noel Coward Theatre is booking until 22 January. Book tickets here

The Go! Go! Go! Show is a new musical at Leicester Square Theatre that the whole family can enjoy.

Go! Go! Go! follows a young pop group who awake one morning to discover their socks are missing. They soon realise the culprit is a cheeky creature called the Fluffalope, who likes nothing more than munching his way through tasty old socks! The gang then embarks on a hilarious caper to rescue their socks via Holiday Bay and the Land of Lost Property.

The feelgood musical is packed full of music, dancing, jokes and magic and is suitable for kids of all ages.

Visit London is giving away 10 family tickets (2 adults, 2 kids per ticket) to any performance of Go! Go! Go! in August.

To win, tell us in the comments below what you’re doing as a family in London this summer holidays and send an email with your contact details to james@mobiusindustries.com

Entries close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 28 July. Winners will be notified by email on Friday 30 July.

If you’re not lucky enough to win, you can book Go! Go! Go! tickets here