The Independent Recommends: Comedy

ARMANDO IANNUCCI (right) has made his name with some of the most finely-crafted comedy money can buy in I'm Alan Partridge and Friday Night Armistice. His live show, Out of His Box, is deliberately much looser. He takes questions and discusses such hot political issues as why Gerry Adams looks like Moira Stuart. "There is a spontaneity and flexibility about it," he says. "I can wander off - literally. I have a radio mike, and I've followed people into the toilets and carried on the dialogue from the gents." Tonight, he appears in the Newcastle Comedy Festival.

Live Theatre, Newcastle (0191-232 1232) 8pm

Dylan Moran, John Shuttleworth and Al Murray, The Pub Landlord head an impressive bill, compered by Perrier nominee Ed Byrne, at GLR 94.9's Night of Comedy benefit for Children in Need.

Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12 (0171-771 2000) 7.30pm