"Sheffield's funniest man" (The Independent) John Shuttleworth is "back" on stage where he belongs, and this time with no bad back! Furloughed by agent Ken Worthington for 80% of his petrol money, John used his lockdown wisely - to recuperate from his spinal ailments, and retrieve an old organ from his loft. John’s beloved Yamaha PSS 680 will be familiar to fans as it’s the one upon which classic songs like Catch The Fox, The Christmas Orphan and Up and Down Like a Bride’s Nightie were composed, and now John is back to play ‘em! That’s not to forget his Yamaha PSS 51 which will be on stage too - is John embracing the excesses of Progressive Rock?? - as John bangs out favourite Shuttleworth ditties like Two Margarines, Y Reg and I Can’t Go Back to Savoury Now.
Ken Worthington has been busy too - like many in recent months he has become highly creative: practicing his clarinet (the first time since coming last on New Faces in 1973!) writing ‘Haiku’ poetry and even baking sourdough bread! Meanwhile, John’s Austin Ambassador is not well, having spent 18 months stood under his carport. But will Joan Chitty’s new hobby of water colour painting on large canvases mean she’s less amenable to selling John her Citroen Berlingo?
It’s all happening, and yet as ever in Shuttleworth world - not much is happening at all! And that’s the joy of a John Shuttleworth show - plus umpteen hilarious singalong songs suitable for all. Come and see for yourself, but be prepared to punch the air on key phrases!
There is also a new book by “The 42nd best reason to love Britain" (The Telegraph) 'TWO MARGARINES and other Domestic Dilemmas' is the first John Shuttleworth book in over 20 years. Signed copies will be available for fans to buy at shows throughout the tour.
Actor/musician Graham Fellows has a long history of creating lovable characters, and his first - Jilted John - reached number 4 in the UK charts in 1978 selling half a million copies. Graham was also behind “The Forrest Gump of Rock” Brian Appleton who appeared in a variety of stage shows, on Channel 4 TV, and enjoyed two series on BBC Radio 4. Another creation, Goole based concreter Dave Tordoff, has delighted stage audiences with his very special brand of humour.
Graham appeared as himself on BBC TV's 'Celebrity Mastermind', toured the UK in his stage show 'Completely Out Of Character', and last Christmas turned it into a mini-series for BBC Radio 4. He has also released a critically acclaimed album of heartfelt indie-folk songs, ‘Weird Town”
John Shuttleworth, meanwhile, guest-starred in an episode of BBC TV's 'Count Arthur Strong', motored around Britain with Wayne Hemingway in 'Celebrity Antiques Roadshow', and with Dave Gormon won 'Pointless Celebrities' and the coveted Pointless Trophy. In 2019 John appeared again, got all the questions wrong and came last! But later that year he redeemed himself on UK TV - guesting on the brilliant comedy documentary series ‘Ricky and Ralph’s Very Northern Trip’.
JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH TOUR DATES
September 2021
Sat 04 BARTON UPON HUMBER The Ropewalk
Mon 06 CAMBRIDGE Junction
Thu 09 LOUTH Riverhead Theatre
Fri 10 NOTTINGHAM Playhouse
Sat 11 STRATFORD Playhouse
Thu 16 STAMFORD Arts Centre
Fri 17 EDINBURGH Queen’s Hall
Wed 22 BURY ST EDMUNDS Theatre Royal
Thu 23 HASTINGS St Mary in the Castle
Wed 29 SHEFFIELD City Hall
Thu 30 LONDON UCL Bloomsbury
October 2021
Wed 13 NORWICH Playhouse
November 2021
Wed 03 EXETER Phoenix
Wed 10 WIMBORNE Tivoli Theatre
Fri 12 NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME New Vic
Sat 13 BARNSLEY Civic Theatre
Sun 14 BRISTOL Old Vic
Tue 30 WORCESTER Huntingdon Hall
