Theatre News

Ross Noble Brings More Comedy Things to Apollo

Comedians seem to be taking over Shaftesbury Avenue, certainly so at the Apollo Theatre, where Ross Noble has now added his name to the list of stand-ups on the programme for 2009. Noble will bring his latest show Things, currently touring, for a limited West End season at the Apollo from 14 September to 24 October 2009.

Things is Noble’s four show to have a West End season, and his second at the Apollo. Noodlemeister was at the same address in 2004. It was preceded by Unrealtime at the Garrick in 2003 and Sonic Waffle at the Vaudeville in 2002. In 2001, his Slackers Playtime had an Off-West End run at Soho Theatre.

In Things, the free-wheeling Noble covers “the topic of things – big things and small things. Things that have happened to him, things that have happened to you”. The show is presented in London by Mick Perrin for Just for Laughs Live.

The Apollo is currently playing host to another stand-up, Welshman Rob Brydon, who continues until 30 May. And, as reported last week, Noble will be followed by Irish comedian Dylan Moran with his show What It Is from 26 October to 5 December (See News, 13 May 2009).

Other comedians who’ve recently had extended seasons on Shaftesbury Avenue include Bill Bailey and Eddie Izzard, who appeared at the Gielgud and Lyric Theatres respectively. Izzard’s Stripped went on to win this year’s Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Solo Performance. Also at the Lyric, yet-another comedian, Frank Skinner, resumes a Monday night residency for his Credit Crunch Cabaret from 12 October (See News, 29 Apr 2009).

– by Terri Paddock