Lee Hurst flexes his considerable stand-up muscles and Bob Mills makes a welcome return to the stand-up circuit. Bruce Dessau surveys the weekend's best comedy...
Lee Hurst
Backyard Club
The bald-headed cockney comic has realised two dreams - he has been a TV star as a team captain on They Think It's All Over. And more importantly to Hurst, he has opened his own club in his beloved east London. There are usually guests here, but this is one of those chances to catch cheeky, affable Hurst flex his own stand-up muscles with an extended solo set. (020 7739 3122). Sun 27 Aug, 7.30pm.
Bob Mills, Rob Rouse and more
Jongleurs Camden, NW1
Mills makes a welcome return to the stand-up circuit. He was one of the most reliable club funnymen in the early Nineties and made the long-lost late night navel-gazing cult programme In Bed With Me Dinner. These days Mills is also a respected scriptwriter and recently penned the movie Pierrepoint, which intentionally wasn't a barrel of laughs. Plus loveable Hobbit-lookalike Rob Rouse, Tony Gerrard, Addy Borgh and Dan Evans. (0870 787 0707). Fri 25 Aug 8pm, Sat 26 Aug, 7pm.
Otiz Canneloni, Mike Gunn Headliners, W4
The live comedy circuit has always boasted colourful speciality acts as well as standupsand long-serving magician Canneloni is one of the best. His tricks might be as old as the hills but Canneloni puts a fresh comic spin on them every time. He is versatile too - comedy buffs may know him as part of double act The Brown Paper Bag Brothers with John Hegley. Plus lugubrious Mike Gunn and a special surprise guest. (020 8566 4067). Fri 25 Aug & Sat 26 Aug, 8.15pm.
Adam Bloom, Alistair Barrie, Ricky Grover, James Dowdeswell
The Bedford, Banana Cabaret
Effervescent south Londoner Bloom - a man who has never knowingly undersold himself - headlines a muscular bill of seasoned campaigners. He is joined by observational gagsmith Barrie, ex-hairdresser Grover and the always entertaining Dowdeswell. (020 8673 8904). Sat 26 Aug, 9pm.
