Live Laugh Leeds: Comedy in April 2025

There is no comedy in Leeds this month. Not a single show. 

Ahahahaha, April fool! And that’s how I came to be a comedy writer. 

Anyway – plenty to get your teeth into this April, comedy-wise. Although please do not bite comedians, Brian. You’ve been warned before. 

Let’s start at the City Varieties, which boasts Have I Got News For You and QI star Zoe Lyons (2nd April) with her new show Werewolf. 

One man who’s been quietly going about some amazing funny business is Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who you’ll most likely recognise from BBC smash hit Ghosts. His show Kool Story Bro (17th April) takes anecdotes from the audience and turns them into hilarious improvised comedy sketches. 

Also on the line up at City Varieties this month: Taskmaster champion Lou Sanders (3rd April), the stars of Scummy Mummies (22nd April), Masked Singer presenter and comic Joel Dommett (26th April), and the brutally honest Jamali Maddix (29th April).

Over at Leeds Grand Theatre, the Edinburgh Fringe smash hit …Earnest? arrives on the 16th April. It’s a production of Oscar Wilde’s classic play with just one snag: an audience member has to play the lead role.

After a postponement last year, Paddy McGuinness finally arrives at the Grand for two nights (17th and 18th April). It’s been 8 years since his last live tour, and the much-loved Bolton comic says he’s back where he belongs: on stage. 

And after a sell out at the Leeds Arena last year – Jason Manford returns with his latest standup show, this time at the Grand on the 29th of April. 

The Leeds Arena sees a return of fan favourite Paul Smith on the 18th April. The show features a mix of his trademark audience interaction and hilarious true stories from his everyday life.

Some shows that are well-worth seeing at the Hyde Park Book Club this month include John Tothill (6th April), Jain Edwards (8th April), Helen Bauer (13th April), and Patrick Spicer (13th April).

Also at HPBC is Louise Young (15th April) – the Geordie comic is a rising star and is taking her debut show on tour. You can see our chat with Louise on the Welcome To Leeds socials. 

Finally to The Wardrobe, Spain’s best export Ignacio Lopez brings his show Señor Self Destruct on the 2nd April. Lucy Porter plays on the 3rd of April, and The Muslims Are Coming (6th April) features Tez Ilyas and Aatif Nawaz among others. 

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.