Monday morning I click on the laptop and it’s all kicking off. Ricky Gervais has announced UK tour dates for his latest show Mortality. Gervais (pictured below, by Ray Burmiston) says: “We’re all gonna die. May as well have a laugh about it. Mortality looks at the absurdities of life. And death. Bring it on.” This is just the start of the tour that will be heading off around the world but catch it now while you ate still alive. More details here.
Paul Smith (below) is the superstar you may not have heard of. Thanks to compering at the Hot Water Club in Liverpool and sharing his crowdwork clips online he’s been massive in the north-west for some time now, He’s also been pretty big elsewhere with minimal TV exposure and he has just announced his first-ever gig at the 02 Arena. you’ll have to wait until November 13 2025 to catch his show Pablo there though. Details here.
If you are looking for something a little more refined, breakout star Celya AB (below, by Rachel Sherlock) has announced her UK tour, which includes a five-day residency at London’s Soho Theatre (21st - 25th January). Early-access tickets can be purchased this Wednesday, before general sale begins on Friday. The show contains hot takes on judges, toothpaste and the sexiest thing anyone can do on a date. Link here.
Vinnie Jones is making his stage debut with Gone Fishing star Paul Whitehouse in the stage musical version of Only Fools and Horses. Vinnie (picture below by Ellie Kurttz) plays local crime lord Danny Driscoll who puts the frighteners on the locals and commands respect wherever he goes.
Jones says: “I’ve always been a fan of Only Fools and Horses, and when my longtime friend Phil McIntyre called me up and said he was interested in me playing the role of Danny Driscoll, I told him to count me in. The director CJay Ranger and her creative team are great and I’m excited to contribute to the legacy of the show.” More info at this link.
And finally it’s good to see Matt Forde hitting the road again after his treatment for a rare form of bone cancer. Forde is one of the stars of a forthcoming gig to raise money for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), which was the hospital that treated him last year. The star-studded show at the Palladium on November 17 also features Josh Widdicombe, Jon Richardson, Suzi Ruffell, Judi Love and Glenn Moore with more names to come. Buy tickets here. And read here who visited Forde when he was in hospital and who turned up in a tuxedo.