Barry Norman’s Favourite Films                                     Friday 18 May at 8pm

Another Audience with John Sergeant                          Saturday 19 May at 8pm

An Audience with Arthur Smith                                      Sunday 10 June at 7.30pm

Box Office: 0115 941 9419 or www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

Three titans of television hold court at Nottingham Playhouse in coming weeks. All three could probably be described as senior statesmen of British broadcasting without causing them offence: one, at least, is a fully signed-up Grumpy Old Man. What is not in doubt is the huge public affection in which BARRY NORMAN, JOHN SERGEANT and ARTHUR SMITH are held. Now the Playhouse offers a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these three TV legends, in a series of "Audience with…" events presented by Clive Conway Celebrity Productions.

First comes a chance to revel in BARRY NORMAN’S FAVOURITE FILMS on Friday 18 May. Britain’s favourite film reviewer hosts an evening of clips and chat, showing some of his favourite movie moments and sharing his insights into the great stars of the silver screen – most of whom he has met and interviewed. After working for the Daily Mail and The Guardian, Barry Norman joined the BBC to present Film 72 and ended his run on the corporation’s flagship review programme on his move to Sky, 26 years later. He continues to write on film for Radio Times and remains a much-loved figure – and why not?

An equally trusted broadcaster, John Sergeant first appeared at the Playhouse three years ago, so the event on Saturday 19 May is ANOTHER AUDIENCE WITH JOHN SERGEANT. After all, he has far more anecdotes up his sleeve than can be told in a single evening. John Sergeant was the BBC’s chief political correspondent from 1992-2000, before moving to ITN as Political Editor, and has met all the major political figures of recent decades: his run-in with Mrs Thatcher days before her resignation is remembered with particular affection. It is less well known that his first career was in comedy, appearing alongside Alan Bennett back in the 60s, before embarking on reporting. Comedy and current affairs combine in his new show.

The star of AN AUDIENCE WITH ARTHUR SMITH on Sunday 10 June is an undisputed comic colossus. Arthur Smith has done it all: won a TV following as one of the main Grumpy Old Men; presented countless programmes for Radio 4; conquered theatre as the writer of plays like An Evening with Gary Lineker; and far more besides. Above all, he is an unofficial mascot of the Edinburgh Fringe, where he has been an annual fixture since the 1980s. Arthur Smith’s stand-up work is always astute, often absurd and reliably unpredictable: the only way to find out where this audience will take him is to join it.

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