The UK premiere of Tom Wright’s acclaimed play imagines an alternative. This is the story of a man fighting for his right to be and to belong. Arriving from his East Midlands beginnings in a London thick with the grime of industrialisation, Joseph Merrick is an anomaly. In a city of factories that churn out uniformity, there is no place for a unique being like him. But Merrick and the city are evolving into something new. We follow him through the workhouse, the freakshow and hospital as he searches for acceptance in a society that just wants to stare at him.

As a young child in 1932, Leah embarked on an epic journey from Yemen to Palestine. Ninety years later her grandson imagines the voyage her family made to escape persecution and build a better life. Artistic Director Amit Lahav together with Gecko’s extraordinary ensemble of international devising performers presents a provocative story of desperation and compassion. At a time when the re-birth of community and acceptance seem vital to our survival, they bring their own experiences of migration, racism, empathy and home to this poetically intoxicating performance.

Approximately 1 Hour 30 mins

Host of the global smash-hit podcast Have A Word & star of Live At The Apollo; Adam Rowe is hitting the road with his brand new stand-up tour. Adam’s spent a bit of time self-reflecting and he’s come to the conclusion that there’s something wrong with him, although for hypochondriac, that’s not exactly news. A hilarious insight into the mind and body of one of the fastest rising comedians on the planet.

Approximately 1 Hour

The jumper-loving This Morning star, who keeps popping up on Pointless, QI, Would I Lie To You?,Sunday Brunch, and The One Show, has been burbling and babbling since he was a baby, and in his hilarious new one-man show the award-winning raconteur (and holder of the world record for the longest-ever after-dinner speech – 12 and a half hours!) is trying to work out why. From 40 years on Radio 4’s Just A Minute to 4 years on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox, he can’t keep his mouth shut. He even talks in his sleep. What’s it all about? He’s going to tell you – because this is his life story: a roller-coaster of tales and revelations from his unlikely life in showbusiness and politics. There will be surprises too (for him and you) when the audience spins a wheel to decide what he’s going to talk about next.

Approximately 2 Hours

The 51 year old critically-acclaimed stand-up leaks blood, sweats, and thinks that Chris Rock is the same person as The Rock. The Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award winning comedian cannot ride the motorbike she bought to combat her mid-life crisis because of early osteoarthritis in her hips and RSI in her wrist; and wonders why there are so many films, made by men, about young women discovering their sexuality, but none about middle-aged women forgetting theirs. It’s a menopause laugh-a-minute with a confused, furious, sweaty lady who is annoyed by everything.

It's time for the wife to tour now.. Award winning stand up comedian BEFORE she met Jon Richardson, Lucy Beaumont is going to let loose and let slip on her roller coaster world. Life through the Beaumont lens is more surreal than you could ever imagine.

Approximately 2 Hours

It’s Christmas Eve. As the cold, bleak night draws in, the avaricious Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted by the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley. Bound in chains as punishment for a lifetime of greed, the unearthly figure explains it isn’t too late for Scrooge to change his miserly ways in order to escape the same fate, but first he’ll have face three more eerie encounters…

If middle age has taught Jen Brister anything, it’s that optimism does not come naturally to her. In fact it’s fair to say that her cup is very much half empty and she’s making no attempt to fill it. Can Jen work against her natural instincts and finally see the light? Or will she stay the same old pessimistic naysayer she’s always been. I mean, I think we know the answer to that, but let’s try and be optimistic.

Richard Herring is taking his critically acclaimed podcast, RHLSTP, on a UK & Ireland tour in 2023 His interview podcast is usually recorded in London’s glittering West End at the Leicester Square Theatre, but now it’s going on the road. Richard Herring has enjoyed phenomenal success as a writer and performer and is an innovator in the world of podcasts. Join the “Podfather” (Guardian), “King of the Internet” (Time Out) and “The UK’s online comedy pioneer” (The Times) as he chats with hilarious star guests at venues all over the country.

Approximately 2 Hours 20 mins

Fresh from his sold-out, critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run and becoming the most viewed British comedian of all time on TikTok, world-famous prankster and Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin is back with an outrageous new stand-up show. In Screwed Up Simon rips into celebrity culture, social media, the police, Putin, Prince Andrew and Jesus. Nothing is off limits in this hilarious show, including his own mental health, his family, his five arrests and how he once found himself at an underground sex party.

Our legendary On Demand Panto returns in 2023 with the most enchanting story of them all – the magical tale of Cinderella! We’ll be booing the Ugly Sisters, swooning at Prince Charming, marvelling at the Fairy Godmother and enjoying an added touch of fabulous glamour and glitz from Nottingham’s favourite panto dame John Elkington.With live music, dazzling dance and comedy chaos galore, it’s the perfect festive treat for all the family.

Hansel and Gretel are lost in the enchanted forest with no breadcrumbs to follow home. Cold and tired, they stumble upon a cosy cottage made from delicious gingerbread and are invited inside… But this hideaway in the woods may not be as sweet as it seems. Join Hansel and Gretel as they learn to work together, outsmart a Wicked Witch and find their way back home – they may even need your help along the way!

Approximately 0 Hour 50 mins

Giovanni Pernice is back in 2024 for his brand new live tour – Let Me Entertain You. The Strictly Come Dancing champion and BAFTA winner is the epitome of live entertainment. Giovanni will be joined by a world class cast of professional dancers and West End performers to bring you an unforgettable experience. A show of non-stop action – prepare to be entertained. Dancer, performer, showman…Giovanni is THE Entertainer!

The Banff Mountain Film Festival features a brand-new collection of short films filled with extreme journeys, untamed characters and captivating cinematography. Join the world’s top adventure filmmakers and thrill-seekers as they climb, ski, paddle and ride into the wildest corners of the planet. With free prize giveaways, this is an unmissable event from the world’s most prestigious mountain festival – guaranteed to ignite your passion for adventure, action and travel. This is a screening of the Red Film Programme. See www.banff-uk.com for more.

After a decade of ground-breaking high concept shows involving overarched interlinked narratives, massive sets and enormous comedy props, Lee enters the post-pandemic era in streamlined solo stand-up mode. One man, one microphone, and one microphone in the wings in case the one on stage breaks. Pure. Simple. Classic. Basic Lee. “The world’s greatest living stand-up” (The Times)

Brian Bilston and Henry Normal appear together for the first time in a show which one critic has described as “two people reading some poems”. Along the way, they will be drawing on their vast catalogue of crowd favourites – and throwing in new poems, to prevent becoming their own tribute bands Not ones to overpromise, Brian and Henry are prepared to commit to delivering the greatest poetry show in the history of the world: an evening of poems to be enjoyed, not endured.

With his live band, a guest singer and his dancers, expect a fab-u-lous evening of song, dance and laughter. Anton will be performing some of his favourite songs and dances that have inspired his career throughout his life. Expect behind the scenes stories from his time on Strictly that will have you laughing out loud.

Approximately 2 Hours 20 mins

Julian Clary, renowned homosexual and national trinket, is fixing to saddle up and head on out for his 2024 UK tour. “Yes, it has a Western theme,” the old buckaroo confirms, sipping Bourbon from a pint tankard. “It was only a matter of time before I eased myself into some chaps” he adds, dabbing his temples with a damp flannel. Julian is sure that the men in the audience will be so eager to join his posse they won’t be able to keep their hands off his Rawhide. The lucky few will play with him on stage in the Hang ‘em Low saloon, where Wild Bill Hickok used to meet his special friend, Raving Clarence la Fruit. But life in the Old West was tough. Not all of Julian’s wild bunch will be around to witness the final shoot-out that will result in Julian giving himself selflessly at high noon to the last man standing. Who knows what else he’ll do for a few dollars more?

Approximately 1 Hour 55 mins