Well known as a perfect venue for stand-up comedy, Nottingham Playhouse offers its most concentrated burst of laughter yet this October. Within three short weeks, it brings seven of the very best comedy acts to the city, from established TV superstars such as Frank Skinner to fast-rising talents like the extraordinary Tim Minchin. Nor is November devoid of hilarity, with two further headliners taking to the Playhouse stage.
Tickets for the first two nights of mirth are hot property indeed. British Comedy Award winner SEAN LOCK comes first, on Sunday 7 October at 7.30pm. The star of 8 Out of 10 Cats and 15 Storeys High is at his absurd best on stage (tickets £15/concessions £13). The following night, Monday 8 October at 8pm, sees FRANK SKINNER make the return to live comedy for which fans have been waiting a decade (tickets £20) – and it’s no holds barred.
Australia’s finest young comedian TIM MINCHIN makes his Playhouse debut on Sunday 14 October at 7.30pm, combining off-the-wall satire with amazing piano playing. Quirky and utterly unique, this is an act that simply has to be seen (tickets £14/concessions £12). Then on Wednesday 17 October at 8pm, the theatre welcomes back the inescapably lovable ARDAL O’HANLON. The star of Father Ted and My Hero brings a new set of observations as acute as they are unexpected (tickets £17.50/concessions £15.50). Another TV star returns the following night, Thursday 18 October at 8pm. Leaving her fellow Grumpy Old Women behind this time, JENNY ECLAIR moans alone to hilarious effect in her "Because I Forgot to Get a Pension" tour (tickets £15).
On Saturday 20 October at 8pm, it’s the turn of SEAN HUGHES to make a long-awaited return to stand-up, with quick-fire wit that is fresh every night, but always "The Right Side of Wrong" (tickets £16/concessions £14). But the last laugh – for October at least – belongs to PUNT AND DENNIS with their "Stuff and Nonsense". The celebrated double act has practically cornered the market in up-to-the-minute satire, with TV’s Mock the Week and Radio 4’s Now Show; they’re funny in the flesh on Thursday 25 October at 8pm (tickets £16/concessions £14).
Skip to the following month, though, and there’s more smart comedy from MARK STEEL on Sunday 11 November at 7.30pm. As subversive as he is erudite, Mark mines French history for its full comic potential in a cutting-edge show inspired by his best-selling book Vive la Revolution (tickets £14/concessions £12). Finally, the unstoppable LEE MACK adds the Playhouse among his extra tour dates on Tuesday 20 November at 8pm. Star of TV’s Not Going Out and Would I Lie to You?, as well as his own Radio 2 show, Lee is a one-man gag machine with immaculate timing and ceaseless inspiration (tickets £16).
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