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December 31, 2004

Comedy in January

From: Norwich Evening News, UK - Dec 31, 2004

Get your laughing gear round this lot — a whole host of comedy entertainment has been lined up in the city for this January.

The fun begins on Wednesday, January 19, with the first Comedy Store of 2005 at the Forum. The line-up will see John Fothergill as MC, bringing on Lucy Porter, Will Smith and Canadian Craig Campbell.

Host of Canada's legendary Ed's Night Party, Craig Campbell's unique brand of humour fuses whimsical anecdotes with salty stories of sex, drugs and circumcision. Never afraid to push audiences to their limits, his laid back charm belies a truly outrageous act, shot through with enough warmth and heart to keep the audience on side throughout the rollercoaster ride he takes them on. Craig's live credits include festival appearances at Montreal, Auckland, Sydney and Edinburgh.

Lucy Porter claims she stunted her growth by smoking too much at convent school and so is now travelling around thrilling audiences with her tales about, among other things, nuns. She has performed stand-up comedy at venues all over the country including some of London's most prestigious clubs. She has also appeared at the Edinburgh Festival and was a finalist in Channel 4's So You Think You're Funny?

competition.

Will Smith is one of the most in-demand stand-up comedians and comedy writers in the UK today. His solo shows have been massive hits and he was invited to perform a short run in London's West End at the Soho Theatre, which was a complete sell-out. It also resulted in him being asked to co-present Wife for William for Channel 4.

Then on Tuesday, January 25, Steve Day takes to the stage at the Norwich Arts Centre. Steve is the UK's only deaf comedian (if there are any others, he says he hasn't heard) and is bringing his acclaimed Edinburgh Festival act to Norwich as he prepares to make his BBC debut this year.

Hilarious and life-affirming, Steve deals with the problems of being a deaf man in a hearing world, the trials of living with his five children and overcoming all the obstacles his way.

*Comedy Store, Wednesday, January 19, 8pm, the Forum, £12, (01603) 727922 or (01603) 630000; Steve Day, Norwich Arts Centre, Tuesday, January 25, 8pm, £6 (£4 concessions), (01603) 660352; Lee Mack, Norwich Playhouse, Saturday, January 29, 8pm, £12, (01603) 612580.

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