Our selection of London’s alternative, clever and offbeat comedy gigs this week.
Brainwrap Comedy
Not stand up, but short comedy films screened at the Bussey Building in Peckham on 23 February. If you like laughing but are afraid a real comedian will pick on you, then a) read this b) go to this night. £5, 7.30pm
Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast
Yep, Herring's back recording his Sony (Bronze) Award winning podcast. His guest on 24 February is Robert Llewellyn, best known as Kryten from Red Dwarf. Future invitees include Greg Davies, Harry Shearer and the incomparable Danny Baker. £15, 7.30pm
Mark Thomas
At Leicester Square Theatre again from 25 February-8 March, Mark Thomas describes 100 acts of minor dissent. If your mates on social media have been sharing seen those 'anti Daily Mail' stickers for rail carriage windows, this is where they come from. £15 / £10, 7.15pm. If you want to make a full night of it on 26 February we recommend hanging around afterwards and seeing Sarah Kendall, £8, 9.30pm
The Secret Comedians
Elf Lyons hosts two nights this week: on 26 February at Paper Dress Vintage in Shoreditch, see Eric Lampaert, Gary Tro, Danny Ward, Hatty Ashdown, Rosie Wilby and Holly Burn – £3, 8.30pm. Then on 27 February head to the Bow Bells pub in, well, Bow for Adam Greene, The Dead Pony Society, Garrett Millerick, Marc Burrows and Stephen Bailey – £3 and you get a complimentary beer, 8.30pm
Cariad and Louise's Character Comedy Night
This night of sketches and character comedy with Cariad Lloyd, Louise Ford and guests is nearly sold out online, but check with venue Drink Shop & Do if there'll be tickets on the door because it'll be worth it. 27 February, £3, 7.30pm
Nina Conti
Smart, sassy, self deprecating ventriloquism for grown-ups from Nina Conti at Invisible Dot on 28 February and 7 March. If you watched the recent Live at the Apollo she hosted you'll know she's not afraid to give the audience the power to completely railroad the show. £10, 8.45pm
Tip us off to friendly, intelligent, alternative comedy around town on hello@londonist.com, read our guide to watching live comedy in London and our top 10 themed comedy nights.