<img src='' title='Event Category: Entertainment' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Entertainment

Arthur Smith — the gravel-voiced master of dry wit and Radio 4’s self-proclaimed “bit of rough” — takes to the stage for an evening of laughter, stories and conversation.

From Grumpy Old Men to Loose Ends, Arthur has carved out a unique space in British comedy as a performer, playwright and occasional wordsmith on Countdown. In this live event, he’s joined by BBC broadcaster Georgy Jamieson for a candid, unscripted chat about everything from life in the 1980s alternative comedy scene to growing old (dis)gracefully — with a few diversions into family, fame, and fox costumes.

Georgy’s warmth and insight draw out stories from Arthur’s colourful past — from his days sweeping streets and advertising chicken burgers in a fox suit, to penning the award-winning play An Evening with Gary Lineker and presenting Excess Baggage and The Smith Lectures on BBC Radio.

This isn’t stand-up. It’s not scripted. It’s a funny, honest, occasionally daft evening with one of Britain’s best-loved comedy voices — not in performance, but in conversation.

Presented by Clive Conway Productions.

Neil Sands and his wonderful cast return with a brand-new production of their must-see Christmas Cracker!

Get ready for a magical afternoon packed with festive joy and heartwarming nostalgia, featuring over 60 timeless Christmas songs and carols you know and love. From the first note to the final curtain, you’ll be singing along and reliving the magic of Christmases past. With dazzling costumes, magical moments, and even falling snow, audiences have described it as “like a sparkly Christmas card come to life.”

The perfect way to start the festive season in style.

Henry Blofeld is widely respected as the voice of Test Match Special ‘Blowers’, brings his wit and wisdom to the stage once again.

For many Henry burbling commentaries provide a pleasingly onomatopoeic backdrop to a day’s cricket, and his frequent gaffes and misidentifications merely add to that charm. He is keen to stress though that it’s not all cricket, in fact most of it isn’t and that every show is different. So, even if you’ve been before you can be sure that it’ll never be the same twice.

“People gather around afterwards in the foyer and say, ‘We had no idea it was like this. We thought it was a cricket show.’ But it’s not. And if you think you’re going to learn how to play a forward defensive, you’ll be sadly disappointed.”

Instead, the talk is based, in the loosest sense, on Henry’s life story, although there’s time for as many after-dinner anecdotes and meandering digressions as there is in a Test Match Special rain break.

The show itself is very tongue-in-cheek and Henry spends a lot of time poking fun at himself and subjects veer from intergalactic travel, to horticulture to mountaineering.

Presented in association with Clive Conway Productions

JIMMY TARBUCK OBE, one of the most popular household names from the golden era of British stand up, is back with a bang:

Jimmy says:

“It’s been great, and I love getting on stage, where I belong. Now I am really looking forward to visiting the towns and cities where I learned my craft and built my fanbase. The crowds are always on great form and always ready to laugh. And laughter is the only drug I’ve ever needed!”

‘An Afternoon with Jimmy Tarbuck’ will see the acclaimed comedian and raconteur reflecting on a remarkable life in showbusiness, the seeds of which were sown in childhood. Jimmy will present a hugely entertaining mix of anecdotes and jokes, including recollections of his many years presenting Sunday Night at the London Palladium which shot him to fame in 1963. There will also be stories from Jimmy’s childhood, growing up in Liverpool where he was classmates – and good mates – with John Lennon. And of course, his golfing life, which has proved to be a rich source of entertainment and celebrity both on and off the course.

Jimmy’s incredible career has taken him around the world, mixing and befriending the biggest stars in entertainment and sport: he’s played golf with Arnold Palmer, football with  Bobby Moore, sang with Tom Jones, partied with Parky and Lynchy, drank with Frank (Sinatra) and sipped champagne with Cilla; and he treasures his time working with the legendary Judy Garland, who affectionately called him her ‘Little Man’. Fans will be treated to all these anecdotes and more, by one of our true national treasures.