GIGS: THE BEST OF THE REST

Marcus Powell

Character comedy continues to be all the rage on the circuit. , who was a presenter on BBC2's A Force, has been carving out a reputation for himself as Roy Diamond, an embittered, hard-drinking old-school stand-up. He appears on a bill with the accomplished John Simmit and Andrew Murrell at the Upfront Black Comedy Night.

Croydon Clocktower, Katherine Street, Croydon (0181-253 1030) Thur

Andy Parsons

After many years in a double-act with Henry Naylor (the tall one from those Rowan Atkinson secret-agent credit-card ads), Andy Parsons (above) has been making a name for himself as a solo performer. This lovably daft comedian is sharing a bill with Cathy P, and MC Andrew Maxwell. The evening will be headlined by "a special guest character comedian who can't be named".

The Monday Club, Madame Jo Jo's, Brewer St, London, W1 (0171-371 6863) Mon