Four international acts at Parker's in November

America's Toby Muresianu (2 to 5 November), Zimbabwean Carl Joshua Ncube (10 to 12 November), Scotland's Brian Higgins (16 to 20 and 23 to 26 November) and Aussie Jacques Barratt (30 November to 3 December) headline as November's international acts, alongside top locals like Mel Miller, Chris Forrest, Dave Levinsohn and rising stars Mpho Pops and Robbie Collins.

Smart but irreverent material

Toby Muresianu started stand-up while in college studying computer science and psychology. Drawing from that hilarious background, he wins over with audiences with smart but irreverent material on politics, relationships and pretty much everything except computer science and psychology.

Carl Joshua Ncube returns to the Parker's stage for a second time - his previous visit in August was the culmination of a comedy world tour that took him to 37 different cities on five continents. Not bad for someone who's only been doing stand-up comedy for a year. Check out some of his material on YouTube at www.youtube.com/carlncube.

Likened to an early Billy Connolly

Scotland's Brian Higgins' principal interests in life include himself, Scottish people, religion and, naturally, drinking. Paid no finer a compliment than to be likened to an early Billy Connolly, Higgins delivers his diatribe on life's funny (and not so funny) ups and downs in an energetic style.

One of Australian comedy's rising stars, Jacques Barratt worked the Sydney scene before The Melbourne International Comedy Festival engaged him for its showcase "Comedy Zone". With a combination of social satire, sharp original impressionistic style and a charming stage persona, he takes his audiences on a journey. Jacques is constantly evolving his stage act and has the ability to write cutting-edge topical material and deliver it in any medium.

Parker's Urban Comedy nights, hosted by Kedibone Mulaudzi, are held every Tuesday, with the man himself and his crazy gang offering stand-up comedy in English as well as the vernacular. Tickets are priced at R50.

Wednesday nights (tickets R70) are all about unpredictability with the Improv Express, who make up everything on the spot, based on suggestions from the audience. It's always fresh, funny and irreverent. A star MC and headline act add polish to the IE team's madness, while there's also an Open Mike slot for young comics desperate for a chance to outshine the spotlight. Tickets are R70.

The November 2011 line-up is:

* 1 November (R50): Kedibone Mulaudzi and guests
* 2 November (R70): Joe Parker, Improv Express, Open Mike, Toby Muresianu (US)
* 3 to 5 November (R90 to R120): Joe Parker, Toby Muresianu (US), Malcolm Ferreira, Tats Nkonzo
* 8 November (R50): Kedibone Mulaudzi and guests
* 9 November (R70): Dave Levinsohn, Improv Express, Open Spot, Mel Miller
* 10 to 12 November (R90 to R120): Dave Levinsohn, Alyn Adams, Carl Ncube (Zim), Mel Miller
* 15 November (Fundraiser - tickets at the door): Don Packett, Hannes Brummer, Melt Sieberhagen, Deep Fried Man, Mpho Pops, Tumi Morake and Mel Miller
* 16 November (R70): Joe Parker, Improv Express, Open Spot, Brian Higgins (UK)
* 17 to 19 November (R90 to R120): Tony King, Brian Higgins (UK), Schalk Bezuidenhout, Chris Forrest
* 22 November (R50): Kedibone Mulaudzi and guests
* 23 November (R70): Joe Parker, Improv Express, Open Spot, Brian Higgins (UK)
* 24 November (R90): Joe Parker, Brian Higgins (UK), Robbie Collins, Martin Jonas
* 25 November (R120): Joe Parker, Brian Higgins (UK), Robbie Collins, Martin Jonas
* 29 November (R50): Kedibone Mulaudzi and guests
* 30 November (R70): Dave Levinsohn, Improv Express, Open Spot, Jacques Barratt (Aus)
* 1 to 3 December (R90 to R120): Tony King, Jacques Barratt (Aus), Don Packett, Siya B

Parker's Comedy & Jive is situated near the cinemas at Montecasino at Shop 24, next to the Montecasino Bowling Alley. Bookings are now open via Computicket (www.computicket.com). All shows start at 8pm. For more information and to book tickets, go to www.parkerscomedy.com or call +27 (0)11 511 0081/2. Line-ups subject to change at short notice.