A WAKE FOR BLAKE – THIS MONDAY 25th.
20 LAST MINUTE EXTRA TICKETS AVAIL

A very special evening to raise money for a memorial for the poet and artist William Blake. Monday 25th September 2017 at 7.30pm. Leicester Square Theatre, London

Featuring
JOHN DOWIE
KEVIN ELDON
SHIRLEY COLLINS, DAVE ARTHUR AND PETE COOPER
TESTAMENT
ROBIN INCE
STEWART LEE
ALAN MOORE
SIMON MUNNERY

William Blake – a visionary poet, artist and prophet – lies in an unmarked grave in the City of London.
Overlooked, ridiculed and ignored in his lifetime, Blake has since become on of the greatest figures in British culture.

The exact location of Blake’s resting place was only re-discovered in recent years after detailed research by two trustees of the Blake Society.
This event featuring some of the UK’s most thrilling maverick performers is to raise funds towards a fitting marker to identify Blake’s grave in Bunhill Fields Burial ground.
Booking: HERE Tel: 0207 734 222

SHIRLEY COLLINS + STEW 18TH OCT, CURZON CINEMA, LONDON

We are honoured to welcome the great Shirley Collins for a post-screening talk, to be hosted by comedian and critic Stewart Lee.
Widely regarded as the 20th century’s most important singer of English traditional song, Shirley Collins stood at the epicenter of the folk music revival during the 1960s and 70s. But in 1980 she developed a disorder of the vocal chords known as dysphonia, which robbed her of her unique singing voice and forced her into early retirement.

Rob Curry and Tim Plester’s documentary sets out to explore the story behind the icon, and chronicles Shirley’s battle, at the grand old age of 80, to rediscover that voice she lost so many years previously.

The film counterpoints this contemporary journey with a more literal one taken from the other end of her life; making fertile use of authentic 1959 audio-archive to recount the tale of Shirley’s seminal road-trip around America’s Deep South alongside her then-lover (and pre-eminent ethnomusicologist) Alan Lomax.
Featuring contributions from the comedian Stewart Lee and David Tibet of Current 93, the film eschews a straightforward biopic approach and sidesteps any rockumentary talking-heads; the filmmakers instead offering up a meditative and richly textured piece of portraiture.
Here then is a film about loss and redemption.
A film about sacrifice, healing and rebirth.
A film which suggests that, during these turbulent and increasingly untethered times, we might just need Shirley Collins now more than ever.
Tickets are available here.

23rd OCT JARRET KOBEK + STEW EVENT

It is likely I will be grilling Jarett Kobek, author of the 2016 novel I Hate The Internet, on this date in London somewhere TBC

SHIRLEY COLLINS + STEW AGAIN, RIO CINEMA LONDON 29TH OCT 4.30pm

Widely regarded as the 20th century’s most important singer of English traditional song, Shirley Collins was at the epicentre of the folk music scene during the 1960s and ’70’s. However, in 1980 she lost her voice in mysterious circumstances, and was forced to retire from musical life.

In 2016, after being rediscovered by a new generation of music fans, Collins made a comeback, releasing her first album in nearly four decades, ‘Lodestar,’ again with huge critical acclaim. Rob Curry and Tim Plester’s documentary sets out to explore the story behind the icon, and chronicles Shirley’s battle, at the grand old age of 80, to rediscover that voice she lost.

Alongside the archive video and audio footage there are contributions from such longtime admirers as comedian Stewart Lee. It all adds up to a meditative and richly textured portrait that explores loss and redemption, sacrifice, healing and rebirth.
+ Post screening Q&A with co-director Rob Curry and Stewart Lee, comedian and Shirley Collins fan.
Tickets are available here.

IAIN SINCLAIR + STEW 30TH OCT, LRB BOOKSHOP, LONDON

Iain Sinclair has been writing about London for most of his adult life, and if any of us can even begin to understand this peculiar sort of city that we sort of call a sort of home, then it’s with Sinclair that we begin.

The Last London (Oneworld) is the culmination of Iain’s London project, although ‘project’ is far too determined a word to describe a body of work so many-layered, so prodigiously polyvalent.

He’ll be talking about the book and the city with comedian, writer and film director Stewart Lee, another Londoner from elsewhere.
Tickets are available here.

NEW LONDON CONTENT PROVIDER DATES

Because all the London Leicester Sq Content Provider dates sold out here is another three month block of the SAME SHOW at the SAME VENUE, Leicester Sq Theatre, with the SAME JOKES at the SAME TIME, 7pm, from November this year until Jan 2018.
Leave voters planning to walk out in disgust will need to book early.

Weds 1st Nov – Sat 9th Dec 2017
Tuesday to Saturday – except there is a performance on Monday 4th December

Tues 2nd Jan to Wed 31st Jan 2018 – Monday to Saturday

Not Fri 24, Sat 25, Thur 30 Nov 2017 (DAYS OFF)
Not Tue 9, Sat 13 Jan 2018 (DAYS OFF)

https://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873569397/events
Other extra dates by other comedians are available

Content Provider Tour 2017/2018

September 2017

Wednesday 27th – Content Provider – DERRY / LONDONDERRY – Millennium Forum – 8pm – 028 7126 4455 TICKETS
Thursday 28th – Content Provider – BELFAST – Waterfront – 8pm – 028 9033 4455 TICKETS

October 2017

Tuesday 3rd – Content Provider – CHESTER – Storyhouse – 0844 815 7202 – 7.30pm – SOLD OUT
Wednesday 4th – Content Provider – SCARBOROUGH – The Spa Theatre – 01723 821888 – 8pm – TICKETS
Thursday 5th – Content Provider – HARROGATE – Royal Hall – 01423 502116 – 8pm – TICKETS
Friday 6th – Content Provider – NOTTINGHAM – Royal Concert Hall – 0115 989 5555 – 8pm – TICKETS
Sunday 8th – Content Provider – BRISTOL – Colston Hall – 0117 203 4040 – 7.30pm – SOLD OUT
Monday 9th – Content Provider – BRISTOL – Colston Hall – 0117 203 4040 – 7.30pm – SOLD OUT
Thursday 12th – Content Provider – NORTHAMPTON – Royal & Derngate – 01604 624811 – 8pm – TICKETS
Friday 13th – Content Provider – CRAWLEY – The Hawth – 01293 553636 – 8pm – TICKETS
Saturday 14th – Content Provider – St. ALBANS – Alban Arena – 01727 844488 – 8pm – TICKETS
Tuesday 17th – Content Provider – LINCOLN – New Theatre Royal – 01522 519999 – 8pm – TICKETS
Wednesday 18th – Content Provider – CHELMSFORD – Civic Theatre – 01245 606505 – 7.45pm – TICKETS
Thursday 19th – Content Provider – READING – Hexagon – 0118 960 6060 – 8pm – TICKETS
Friday 20th – Content Provider – BEXHILL ON SEA – De La Warr Pavilion – 01424 229111 – 8pm – TICKETS
Saturday 21st – Content Provider – WINCHESTER – Theatre Royal – 01962 840440 – 8pm – SOLD OUT

November 2017

Wednesday November 1st – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Thursday November 2nd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday November 3rd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday November 4th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Tuesday November 7th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday November 8th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Thursday November 9th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday November 10th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday November 11th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Tuesday November 14th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday November 15th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Thursday November 16th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday November 17th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday November 18th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Tuesday November 21st – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday November 22nd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Thursday November 23rd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Tuesday November 28th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday November 29th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS

December 2017

Friday December 1st – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday December 2nd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Monday December 4th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Tuesday December 5th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday December 6th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Thursday December 7th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday December 8th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday December 9th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS

January 2018

Tuesday January 2nd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday January 3rd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Thursday January 4th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday January 5th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday January 6th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Monday January 8th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday January 10th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Monday January 15th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Tuesday January 16th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday January 17th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Thursday January 18th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday January 19th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday January 20th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Monday January 22nd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Tuesday January 23rd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday January 24th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Thursday January 25th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday January 26th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday January 27th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Monday January 29th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Tuesday January 30th – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Wednesday January 31st – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS

February 2018

Thursday February 1st – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday February 2nd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Saturday February 3rd – Content Provider, Leicester Square Theatre, London – 7pm TICKETS
Friday 9th – Content Provider, Grand Theatre, Swansea – 01792 475715 – 8pm – TICKETS
Sunday 18th – Content Provider, Festival Theatre, Chichester – 01243 781312 – 7.30pm – ON SALE SOON
Tuesday 20th – Content Provider, Arts House, Stratford Upon Avon – 01789 207100 – 8pm – TICKETS
Wednesday 21st – Content Provider, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury – 01743 281281 – 8pm – TICKETS
Sunday 25th – Content Provider, The Orchard Theatre, Dartford – 01322 220000 – 7.30pm – TICKETS
Wednesday 28th – Content Provider, Dorking Halls, Dorking – 01306 881717 – 8pm – TICKETS

March 2018

Thursday 1st – Content Provider, Colston Hall, Bristol – 0117 203 4040 – 8pm – TICKETS
Sunday 4th – Content Provider, Theatre Royal, Plymouth – 01752 267222 – 7.30pm – ON SALE SOON
Monday 5th – Content Provider, Northcott Theatre, Exeter – 01392 726363 – 7.30pm – ON SALE SOON
Tuesday 6th – Content Provider, Northcott Theatre, Exeter – 01392 726363 – 7.30pm – ON SALE SOON
Wednesday 7th – Content Provider, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon – 01874 611622 – 7.30pm – TICKETS
Saturday 10th – Content Provider, Lyceum Theatre, Crewe – 01270 368 242 – 8pm – TICKETS
Monday 12th – Content Provider, Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen – 01224 641122 – 7.30pm – TICKETS
Tuesday 13th – Content Provider, Rep Theatre, Dundee – 01382 223530 – 8pm – TICKETS
Wednesday 14th – Content Provider, Concert Hall, Perth – 01738 621031 – 7.30pm – TICKETS
Tuesday 20th – Content Provider, Hippodrome, Darlington – 01325 405405 – 7.30pm – TICKETS
Wednesday 21st – Content Provider, City Hall, Hull – 01482 300306 – 7.30pm – ON SALE SOON
Thursday 22nd – Content Provider, Regent, Ipswich – 01473 433100 – 8pm – ON SALE SOON
Friday 23rd – Content Provider, Theatre Royal, Norwich – 01603 630000 – 7.30pm – TICKETS

MORE NATIONAL DATES FOR 2018 TO FOLLOW, until April

TOP TIPS – A NEW SECTION WHERE I ARROGANTLY RECOMMEND THINGS EACH MONTH

DAVE GRANEY & CLARE MOORE

Short UK tour by the Serge Gainsbourg/Lee Hazelwood/Jim Morrison/Scott Walker/Skip Spence/Ern Malley/Lenny Bruce of Australian music.
A genius songwriter with effortless presence and command, and yet also an invisible chameleon, a reflecting surface, an anonymous conduit.
Anyone who saw his and Clare Moore’s ATP sets last year will not want to miss these.
Dave is one of the all time greats. I learned much of what I know from him. Rock and Roll is where he hides.

Friday 6th Oct Fred’s Ale House, Mcr
Sunday 8th Oct, O’Riley’s, Hull
Weds 11th, Thurs 12th Oct – Betsey Trotwood, London
Sat 14th Oct, Leith Links Cricket Club, Edinburgh

Ben Moor – Pronoun Trouble.

Ben Moor, for my money, is the Ken Campbell/Spalding Gray of my generation, a natural storyteller who blurs the boundaries between comedy, theatre and performance art.

He’s not an obvious fit for a world increasingly in search of a quick cultural fix, but those who discover his work become lifelong fans and evangelists, and followers of the live artworks of Daniel Kitson’s theatre pieces, Will Adamsdale, James Rowland’s Team Viking, Kim Noble, Robert LePage and Bryony Kimmings will find much to admire in Ben’s oeuvre.

There is an early stab at his new show Pronoun Trouble, previews of which delighted audiences at that Port Elliot Lit Fest last Summer, at the Hen & Chickens in London on Oct 4th.

4th October 7.30pm &pound7.50

PRONOUN TROUBLE:

Miscellaneous subjects that crossed my mind while listening to a lecture about Chuck Jones’s Hunting Trilogy (1950-52) (which was nevertheless really good)

Ben is sitting in a lecture about a series of Chuck Jones cartoons, but his thoughts drift off in various directions.
There’s his friendship with the person he came with, the T-shirts he has at home, his favourite words, his favourite books, and the schism on London’s high streets between the conflicting denominations of launderettes and laundrettes.
And all the while, the lecturer is following her own sweet way, exploring new meanings in the films, quoting obscure academics and offering a different way of looking at the world. Are any of us following the script? Aren’t we all in some kind of pronoun trouble?
Using Powerpoint and stand-up, Pronoun Trouble combines a fact-adjacent lecture about three extraordinary cartoons and a whole ton of other topics that sometimes come to mind.

Ben Moor has been producing solo comedy pieces since 1993. His most recent show ‘Each of Us’ has toured the UK and Italy, and was described by The Guardian as “A moving satire on the arbitrariness of the everyday, rivaling the best of Douglas Adams in its witty conjugation of cultural norms and ephemera.”

TICKETS