Who’s who of top comedians on way to Shropshire
The biggest names in comedy will lead an all-star bill at theatres across Shropshire during an action-packed autumn programme.
The biggest names in comedy will lead an all-star bill at theatres across Shropshire during an action-packed autumn programme.
Stadium favourites such as Ross Noble will line up alongside TV stars Julian Clary and cutting-edge gag-tellers like Tim Vine and Shropshire’s very own Greg Davies.
There will also be sets from TV panel show favourites Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Watson, Tony Law, Alun Cochrane and Chris Ramsey at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn, Telford’s Oakengates Theatre @ The Place and Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
- Scroll down to watch videos of the top names in action
Jenna Blair, from Ludlow Assembly Rooms, said comedy was enormously popular at venues in Shropshire and arts centre bosses were looking forward to the showcase of talent.
She said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Marcus Brigstocke – the calibre of comedy at venues across the region is very special indeed.”
Craig Reeves, from Theatre Severn, added: “The sheer number and sheer quality of the comedians who will be lining up in autumn is unprecedented. It’s a very exciting time. Wem’s comedy star Greg Davies is one of our big name acts. We’ve already sold out one show by Greg so have had to add a second – but that’s almost sold out too.”
Kellie Thompson, from Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, in Telford, added: “Our advice to fans of comedy is simple: get your tickets now. A lot of these shows are going to sell out – some already have.
“We’re enormously excited, for instance, to be welcoming people such as Ross Noble. He’d normally be filling much, much bigger venues but will be playing a one-off here as a warm up for his forthcoming tour.
"It’s a real coup to get him.”
Theatre Severn’s comedy programme will start on September 11 with a performance dubbed Severn Jesters, featuring a line-up of the best up-and-coming comics.
The line-up will feature rock’n’roll poet and funnyman Paul B Edwards alongside Danny McLoughlin and Gavin Webster.
Theatre Severn will welcome Chortle Awards Best Show 2012 winner Tim Key on October 18, Aussie comic Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson on October 30, TV favourite Mark Watson on November 11 and Never Mind The Buzzcocks star Chris Ramsey on November 14.
Greg Davies
http://youtu.be/DVHSG-lXFcg
Who: Greg ‘Pride of Shropshire’ Davies
What: An all new show called The Back of My Mum’s Head.
Where: Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury. November 25 gig has sold out, there are tickets available for November 24.
Best joke: What do you call cheese that doesn’t belong to you? Nacho cheese.
Best clip: Greg makes a mockery of the Shropshire Star
Julian Clary
http://youtu.be/RvvU6hPdH-E
Who: Julian ‘Big in the 90s’ Clary
What: A tour called Position Vacant, Apply Within, during which the star talks about the perils of finding love.
Where: Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, on October 10.
Best joke: I didn’t think of myself as a tart, but I wouldn’t argue with anyone who did.
Best clip: Julian thrills on the Jack Dee show.
Mark Watson
http://youtu.be/1pLcOeblf1I
Who: Mark ‘Any C4 Panel Show’ Watson
What: A tour based on becoming an identity theft victim.
Where: Theatre Severn, in Shrewsbury, on November 11.
Best joke: Someone asked me recently – what would I rather give up, food or sex. Neither! I’m not falling for that one again, wife.
Best clip: Mark on Michael McIntyre's comedy roadshow
Marcus Brigstocke
http://youtu.be/wY8vFoVtSms
Who: Marcus ‘Spamalot’ Brigstocke
What: Will bring The Brig Society to Shropshire for two dates. He promises the chance to WIN a free hospital.
Where: Ludlow Assembly Rooms on October 12 and Oakengates Theatre @ The Place on November 28
Best joke: If Pac-Man had affected us as kids, we’d all be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.
Best clip: Marcus dances to Kung Fu Fighting for Comic Relief
Tim Vine
http://youtu.be/VPaZfeAYUyk
Who: The legendary Tim Vine
What: The Tim Vine Chat Show, which enjoyed a total sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival in 2011/12.
Where: Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, in Telford, on October 1.
Best joke: Take your pick. Exit signs? They’re on the way out! – or – Black Beauty? Now there’s a dark horse! – or Conjunctivitis.com – that’s a site for sore eyes.
Best clip: Quickfire Tim Live At The Apollo
Ross Noble
http://youtu.be/jtVG0BxsJpk
Who: Ross ‘Have I Got News For You’ Noble
What: Anl intimate warm-up for his 2012 Mindblender tour.
Where: Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, in Telford, on September 20.
Best joke: (On the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in London.) They could have just had a massive pile of burning tyres and more people would have turned up. Especially if they put S Club 7 on the top of it.
Best clip: Ross talks about his love of muffins
Full details of the shows are available from each venue.
Comments for: "Who’s who of top comedians on way to Shropshire"
The Original Jake
Shropshire venues have always managed to attract top drawer comedians, but the current lineup is the best it's been.
Mick
Well if that summary is supposed to sell the comedy genius of these guys then I'll be staying at home. I didn't find any of the "best jokes" the slightest bit funny
Colin Dodd.
Have to agree with you there Mick. If their best jokes are the shop window then it's not looking good.
I watched 3 videos. Julian Clary, funny enough if you like camp humour. Greg Davies???? When in doubt shout, and say "fart" a lot, very unfunny, and Ross Noble, although the description "comedian" is stretching the limits of credibility to breaking point.
Not my cup of tea at all, I can remember when comedians were funny. The ravages of time.
sporky
^Miserable sods^
Colin Dodd.
Quite agree sporky, that's why we didn't like them. Glad you're on our side.
novacane
It was better in the old days eh? Ken Dodd, Bernard Manning, Jim Bowen, Stan Boardman, Benny Hill, Jimmy Cricket...
Wenlock Un
And who can forget those Saturday evenings in with Davidson and then Abbott.
And that guy who repeatedly said 'it's a puppet!'
Oh how my ribs still ache!
;-p
The Original Jake
When attempting to watch comedy, a sense of humour is an important prerequisite. Clearly, some people lack this vital characteristic.
Colin Dodd.
If you call listening to some bloke shouting about flatulence, or babbling about faces on muffins, humour, then I for one am very grateful that I do not possess a sense of humour undeveloped enough to appreciate such tripe. If you do OJ, my sympathy for your affliction.
The Original Jake
Bring back the music hall days, eh, Colin? They don't make 'em like they used to.
novacane
That Marcus Brigstocke gag is genius.
Jonty Bonty
They missed out Comedy In The Castle at Ludlow Castle, September 23rd - Toby Hadoke, Dan Nightingale, Holly Walsh, Paul Tonkinson and Greg Davies on one bill in the castle's outer bailey. Going to be a hell of a night...
Wenlock Un
Seems like Tim Vine has learnt lots about wit whilst spending time with Lee Mack filming Not Going Out. Quality one-liners, all the same and got to be worth the entrance fee.
The Original Jake
I'm pretty certain the quick fire one-liners were Tim's routine before Not Going Out. The pair worked closely together long before that anyway; remember The Sketch Show?
But yes, quality one-liners indeed :)
Nick Nack Noo
If that's all Shropshire has to shout about then more fool us, It will take more than a wannabee comedian like these to make me laugh, I can have more fun down the local.
When are we gonna get some REAL talent.
Katherine de Gama
What, no 'wimmin'?
Colin Dodd.
It gets worse. The latest "star" to be invited to Shropshire is ------Lenny Henry?? Star??
Lets talk loud and shout in an exaggerated Brummy accent.
At least going to see him is not compulsory, but, it might not be a bad idea. Anyone convicted of anti-social behaviour should be made to watch 4 hours of Henry "comedy". That would stop the little buggers.
The Original Jake
Although not to my taste, Lenny Henry has considerably more followers and fans than an obscure ex-pat who occasionally writes a blog for a local rag.
Colin Dodd.
Obscure????? I'll have you know OJ, I'm a legend in my own lunch box over here. I have loads of people pursuing me, not sure why they're all toting shotguns though.
twisting my melon
ha ha ha ha ha ' shotguns ' ha ha ha me ribs are breaking, please stop it your so funny............snore..
Two Tone
My thoughts exactly.
ABC123
Think the best are some of the regular posters on here, they make me laugh.
Telford Steve
Ha! hold my Brain; be still my beating Heart!
When I read the headline I thought Jim "nick nick" Davidson was returning to the county. I live in hope.