Comedy for the year ahead

Jerry Sadowitz In what's becoming a January tradition, Britain's most malicious comic brings his ranting-and-magic combination back to the stage. Leicester Square theatre, London (0844 873 3433), in rep 7–29 January. Mark Thomas The comic and activist's new show Extreme Rambling recounts his recent experience walking the 750km length of the Separation Barrier between Israel and Palestine. Expect purgative laughs and righteous ire. South Street, Reading (0118-960 6060), 11–14 January, then touring. Fast and Loose The BBC goes where few since Whose Line Is It Anyway? have dared tread, with a new improv show. Several hot standups, such as Greg Davies, Justin Edwards, Laura Solon – and even a few improvisers, including Pippa Evans – take part. Starts 14 January at 10pm on BBC2. Andi Osho One of the fastest risers in comedy, Anglo-Nigerian comic Andi Osho hits the road with her likable, if conventional, rites-of-passage tale celebrating multicultural Britain. Arc theatre, Stockton (01642 525199), 1 February, then touring. Kevin Eldon Having waited years to make his solo standup debut, UK comedy's favourite co-star – he has worked with Lee and Herring, Steve Coogan and countless others – returns to the stage on the heels of his hit Edinburgh debut. Soho theatre, London W1 (020-7478 0100), 7–19 February. Tim Key Poet, star of Screenwipe, new sidekick to Alan Partridge, and Edinburgh Comedy award champ 2009: Tim Key takes his prizewinning show Slutcracker on tour. Norwich Arts Centre (01603 660352), 15 February, then touring. Ruby Wax: Losing It The acerbic American joins forces with singer-songwriter Judith Owen on a darkly comic autobiographical show about mental illness and "the toxins of our time". Thea Sharrock directs. Menier Chocolate Factory, London SE1 (020-7907 7060), 15 February – 19 March. John Cleese First ever UK tour by Monty Python legend Cleese – ostensibly to pay for his recent divorce – promising "anecdotes, psychoanalytical titbits, and unprovoked attacks on former colleagues, especially Michael Palin". Cambridge Corn Exchange (01223 357851), 3–7 May, then touring . Jerry Seinfeld Recent guest star on Curb Your Enthusiasm , writer of Bee Movie – oh, and eponymous star of one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, Jerry Seinfeld plays his first UK standup date for 12 years. O2 Arena, London (0844 856 0202), 3 June. Lee Evans: Roadrunner Fifty nights in the biggest arenas in the country: a new tour from the live-wire clown Lee Evans, who was doing arena comedy when Michael McIntyre was but a glint in Bob Monkhouse's eye. Bournemouth International Centre (0844 576 3000), 24–29 August, then touring.