Live Laugh Leeds: Comedy in May 2025

Given that the world is such a stable and loving place at the moment, it’s hard for comedians to find things to write and talk about. 

Nevertheless, Leeds is again blessed with a voluptuous package of comedy for the month of May.

We love the City Varieties line-up this month. Multi-award-winning stand up (and former recipient of the Best Joke Award) Rob Auton kicks us off on the 3rd. The legendary Mark Steel returns on the 8th, the also-legendary Rich Hall on the 11th, the unstoppable Danny Baker on the 15th, and Afterlife star Kerry Godliman on the 20th.

At the Grand Theatre, star of the Have A Word podcast, Adam Rowe (pictured as main image) is joined by Dan Nightingale and a series of guest comics on the 1st, and the incredible punsmith Milton Jones is back on the 3rd.

It’s always worth checking out the Hi-fi Club’s comedy afternoons/nights. But especially when rising star, and local hero, Scott Bennett is hosting (24th). He’s supported by Lateef Lovejoy, Peter Brush & Barry Dodds.

The world’s greatest stand-up, Stewart Lee, is back at the Leeds Playhouse for three nights (8th, 9th, 10th). We’re surely set for another night of classic one-liners, non-political nostalgia, and friendly audience banter. If you know, you know.

The Playhouse also has three nights with Lydia De La Murrãy (22nd, 23rd, 24th). Her new show Closure? finds out what happens when you send feedback questionnaires to ex-partners.

Our top picks for the Hyde Park Book Club this month include Harry Stachini (4th), Marc Jennings (18th), and the brilliant Elf Lyons (22nd). 

And finally, the Wardrobe’s terrific line-up includes comedian’s comedian Simon Munnery (8th), the cult hero Barry from Watford (11th), and internet star Abi Clarke (13th). 

As ever, look out for regular comedy nights at Headrow House, The Original Oak, The Hi-Fi Club, The Old Woollen, and the Parkside Tavern.

Now get some tickets, and enjoy the comedy before someone sticks a tariff on it and massively destabilises our perfectly peaceful world.