John Shuttleworth to Ruby Wax: this week’s best comedy nights in Norfolk

Ruby Wax

Norwich Playhouse, March 10, 7.30pm/March 11, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, £17.50 (£15.50 cons), 01603 598598, norwichplayhouse.co.uk

Having made her name as a famously straight-talking comedian with a locomotive mouth in the 1980s, Ruby Wax has more recently shied away from broadcasting and undergone what she describes as a 'complete reinvention', re-emerging as a leading voice on mental health. She has a Master's degree in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford University. This show is based on her new bestselling book, A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, a funny and insightful follow-up to her critically acclaimed book Sane New World. She might not be sane herself, but she does a pretty good imitation. And she still delivers plenty of laughs.

Fat Cat Comedy

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, March 12, 8pm, £12, 01284 758000, www.theapex.co.uk

Bought up in the backwoods of British Columbia Tom Stade learned his comedy stripes in Canada. Now a familiar face on the UK scene and a regular performer on the John Bishop show, Dave's One Night Stand and Live at The Apollo, here he headlines the latest Fat Cat night. In a change to the previously announced line-up he is joined by Jenny Bede who won the Best Newcomer Award in the 2013 Musical Comedy Awards after just three gigs. Ashe has since appeared on Radio 1, Radio 4 and played Glastonbury. Originally from the tropical island of Barbados, Nico Yearwood will also be bringing his unique blend of Caribbean flavoured comedy. His laid back style and charm belie a sharp comic mind.

John Shuttleworth

Norwich Playhouse, March 15, 8pm, £17, 01603 598598, norwichplayhouse.co.uk

The Sheffield would-be pop star, perpetually hampered by passive-aggressive wife Mary and misguided agent Ken, is back with new show My Last Will and Tasty Mint. A recent health scare has made John focus on his mortality, and the many things he needs to do before the inevitable move into a hospice. As befits a man living on borrowed time – John considers life's major issues: the rise in popularity of hi viz protective wear, the suitability of the plastic lid on takeaway coffee cups, and the excitement he felt when sucking his first mint. As ever it will see the Sony and Perrier nominated comic creation of Graham Fellows bash out new songs on his trusty Yamaha keyboard.

Simon Munnery

Norwich Arts Centre, March 16, 8pm, £12 (£10 cons), 01603 660352, www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

Convention defying, innovative stuff from serial avant-garde comedy innovator Simon Munnery, whose previous shows have included performing a selection of the 19th century Danish existentialist philosopher Soren Kierkegaard's writings and making them funny, brings his latest show Standing Still. It sees the multi award-winning comedian offering up, he says, an opening to die for, seven wry observations, a tone poem, four fresh skits and two new commandments. A British Comedy Award and Perrier Award nominee and Chortle Award winner, he is a genuine comedic innovator and that is to be celebrated in the business too often dominated by stand-up sameiness.

Rob Beckett

Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, March 16, 8pm, 7.30pm, £16.75, 01502 533200, www.marinatheatre.co.uk

Rob Beckett quickly established himself on the comedy club circuit with his cheeky chappy persona seeing him winning fans and awards and leading to appearances on BBC1's Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week. It's obviously paid off and he is back with his latest brand-new hour of funnies, The Mouth of the South, taking on the big issues like Kit Kats and flatbread, is his biggest tour yet. Recently, Rob has appeared on the Royal Variety Performance and also narrated the popular show Celebs Go Dating. Here the relentlessly smiley, perpetually grinning Londoner whose unshowy, unpretentious but thoroughly funny schtick has won him awards aplenty and critical acclaim is back.