Page 83 - ASMF Marriner 100 Coverage Book

Romesh Ranganathan: Hustle

After a busy day watching him host The Weakest Link on BBC1 or taking on a new challenge

in Rob & Romesh Vs on Sky Max, listening to his podcasts or (come April) as the replacement

for Claudia Winkleman on Radio 2’s Saturday morning slot, why not pop out and catch
Britain’s busiest comic on stage? Never mind the grumpy demeanour: he tends to be a delight.

Engine Shed, Lincoln, Jan 20, 21, then touring to Jun 8; romeshranganathan.co.uk

Frank Skinner: 30 Years of Dirt

Skinner’s title is both a play on the refrain on his footballing anthem, Three Lions, and a

celebration of his decades of filthy jokes. Yet in his latest stand-up show — a sell-out at the
Edinburgh Fringe in August — the 66-year-old once again shows off a poetic precision in his

language as well as a seeming effortlessness in his storytelling.

Gielgud Theatre, London W1, Feb 5–17, then touring Mar 12-Jun 9; frankskinnerlive.com

Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier

Copious swivels of the imagination ahoy as Bailey returns to give a fantastical spin to the
ordinary and bring the extraordinary down to earth. In recent tours he has conveyed his brainiac

musings and musical flights of fancy with supreme ease. Now, with a new tour he’s already

tried out down under, expect an easy manner and a super-sharp tongue.

Belfast SSE Arena, Feb 10, then touring to Mar 11; billbailey.co.uk

Rachel Parris: Poise
You may have watched her on Late Night Mash or Live at the Apollo, heard her on Radio 4

panel shows or seen her live with the improv troupes Austentatious and the Comedy Store

Players. In Parris’s biggest tour, though, she will return to her live roots: it’s a “love letter to

musical comedy” featuring stand-up, satire and lots of songs.

Bristol Old Vic, Apr 20, then touring to Oct 20; rachelontour.com
Opera and classical

Big Bruckner Weekend

Anton Bruckner’s links with Tyneside aren’t immediately apparent, but Gateshead’s Glasshouse

(formerly named Sage Gateshead) is nevertheless offering a terrific celebration of the Austrian

composer’s 200th birthday. Three symphonies, and his motets, string quartet and a Mass, are
packed into three days (combined tickets available), performed by three top British orchestras

and local choirs.

Glasshouse, Gateshead, Mar 1–3; theglasshouseicm.org