Good things come in threes

A trio of top comics are in Kent this week

We’ve got something to put a smile on your face this week, as three stand-up stars are bringing their side-splitting new shows to Kent. First up is everyone’s favourite Pub Landlord, Al Murray, pictured left, who is currently taking his Guv Island tour around the country. The comedian, who has hosted shows such as Al Murray's Happy Hour, Al Murray's Road to Berlin and Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder, will be pulling pints and waxing lyrical about the good ol’ days in the new show.

The comic, who some fans might have seen earlier this year as he tried out his new material for the tour in a work-in-progress date in Maidstone, has several stand-up specials under his belt, including nights at the London

Palladium and The O2.

He also recently appeared on stage in the Crown Jewels alongside Mel Giedroyc, Joe Thomas, Neil Morrissey and Carrie Hope Fletcher.

Since the 1990s, Al Murray has performed as parody character the Pub Landlord and used this persona in his candidacy for the seat of South Thanet in the 2015 general election. He founded the Free United Kingdom Party and ran against then-ukip leader Nigel Farage, receiving more than 300 votes.

Also hitting the road this week is Ed Byrne, centre, who has been a familiar face on the comedy circuit for more than 20 years.

His new show, Tragedy Plus Time, is full of quick-witted jokes and tonguein-cheek satire, all delivered in Ed’s straight-to-the-point style.

After appearing on panel shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Mock the Week, as well as performing on TV’S Live at the Apollo, the funnyman has fine-tuned his comic timing over the years and now delivers stellar stand-up to fans all over the country.

Finally, comic, prankster and creator of TV’S Lee Nelson, Simon Brodkin, is leaving the persona behind and bringing himself to the stage in his new stand-up show.

In his latest tour, Screwed Up, Simon is sharing some of his most embarrassing moments, from being rejected for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here to his five arrests.

The larger-than-life performer will also be ripping into just about everything, from the royal family to celebrity culture and religion. In recent years, Simon has become one of the most-watched comedians on Tiktok, but there’s nothing quite like seeing the wise-cracking boy-next-door live.

Al Murray is at the Orchard West Theatre, Dartford on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 25.

Ed Byrne is also at the Orchard West Theatre on Saturday, May 18; Ramsagte’s Granville Theatre on Sunday, May 19; and the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells on Friday, May 24.

Simon Brodkin is at the Marlowe Theatre on Saturday, May 18, with further dates in Canterbury and Chatham this autumn.