• Sarah Millican (left) is doing work-in-progress shows at the Hen and Chickens in Islington, on September 25 and 26. Tickets for both shows go on sale at 11am on Friday, September 21 at this link.

• Speaking of the Hen and Chickens, its sister venue, the Vandella in Shepherd's Bush, appears to have left the comedy world behind, having opened in April this year. The news was revealed on the venue's Twitter feed, although no reason has yet been given, or any information on the future of its music nights.

• Change is afoot at the other venue to appear in that above article, Deansways, which is no longer at its Bethnal Green Working Men's Club home. The ramshackle cabaret-style club quickly became a favourite on the circuit but it has now closed and impresario Harry Deansway has instead launched a twice-monthly show, Shambles, at a speakeasy in Tufnell Park.

• The inaugural London Irish Comedy Festival is to take place next month. The three-day festival includes appearances from familiar faces to the capital such as Andrew Maxwell and Abandoman, as well as less well-known names, plus the first show in 14 years by musical comedy trio The Nualas. The festival takes place on October 12-14 at the London Irish Centre, Camden.