August 2026 comedy festival and shows bring top acts to Barnet and central London
Roundhouse Comedy Festival runs for 18 days with Joe Lycett, Sara Pascoe and Ed Gamble performing
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Barnet’s Roundhouse will host an 18-day comedy festival in August 2026, bringing national and international acts to Chalk Farm. The festival runs from 1 to 18 August and includes performances by Joe Lycett, Ed Gamble, Katherine Ryan, Sam Campbell, Sara Pascoe and Vittorio Angelone, as reported by Time Out London.
Other London comedy shows in August 2026
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Outside Barnet, several other venues will host major comedy acts during the same month. Patti Harrison will perform at Soho Theatre in central London. The show, titled Just Ironing Some Things Out, is described by Time Out London as blending bizarre and experimental comedy with guest appearances.
Leicester Square Theatre will stage Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, an abridged version of the play performed by an actor who has consumed alcohol. The production uses a six-person cast and runs on unspecified dates in August 2026.
Soho Theatre Walthamstow will host Neon Nights Summer Special, a monthly showcase featuring Fern Brady as headliner. Supporting acts include Daniel Foxx, Janine Harouni, Thor Stenhaug and David Alfie Ward. The event is scheduled for August 2026, though the exact date remains unclear.
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Dave Chappelle will perform at Eventim Hammersmith Apollo under the title Pulling Up. Time Out London notes that Chappelle’s London stage debut a decade ago was well received, though recent material has sparked debate. The show is part of a series of dates in August 2026, with no specific nights confirmed.
What residents need to know
The Roundhouse Comedy Festival is the only event in Barnet listed by Time Out London. The venue is located on Chalk Farm Road, NW1. No ticket prices or individual show dates have been published for any of the acts, including those at the Roundhouse.
Residents interested in attending should check the Roundhouse website for updates on booking. The festival’s 18-day run overlaps with the Edinburgh Fringe, which may affect availability for some acts. Other London venues, including Soho Theatre and Eventim Hammersmith Apollo, will announce their own schedules separately.
No formal public consultation or council decision is required for these performances. The events are commercial productions organised by the venues and the performers’ management.
What happens next
The Roundhouse, Soho Theatre, Leicester Square Theatre and Eventim Hammersmith Apollo are expected to release ticket prices and exact dates in the coming months. Residents can sign up for newsletters from each venue or follow their social media accounts for updates.
No further information is available on whether the acts will perform additional shows in Barnet or other outer London boroughs. Time Out London has not reported any plans for satellite events linked to the festival.
Questions this report answers
+Who is performing at the Roundhouse Comedy Festival in August 2026?
The Roundhouse Comedy Festival features Joe Lycett, Ed Gamble, Katherine Ryan, Sam Campbell, Sara Pascoe and Vittorio Angelone. The festival runs for 18 days in Chalk Farm, Barnet, from 1 to 18 August 2026, as reported by Time Out London.
+Where can I see Dave Chappelle in London in August 2026?
Dave Chappelle will perform at Eventim Hammersmith Apollo in August 2026. The show is titled Pulling Up, but exact dates and ticket prices have not been announced, according to Time Out London.
+What is Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet?
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet is an abridged performance of the play where one actor performs while intoxicated. It runs at Leicester Square Theatre in August 2026, though specific dates are unclear, as reported by Time Out London.
+How long does the Roundhouse Comedy Festival last?
The Roundhouse Comedy Festival lasts for 18 days, running from 1 to 18 August 2026. It takes place at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, Barnet, featuring multiple comedy acts, as confirmed by Time Out London.
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