Comedian Laurence Clark brings An Irresponsible Father’s Guide to Parenting to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre on Tuesday 22 October.
Clark starred in the BBC1 documentary We Won’t Drop the Baby, which followed his family’s journey as they welcomed their second child. When the programme was recently uploaded to YouTube, it received a worldwide response that was at times inspirational and uplifting and at others, derogatory and incredibly personal.
This new show explores these reactions and questions Clark’s role as a father with cerebral palsy with the help of his two young sons, who steal the limelight with their charming and innocent view of their parents.
Growing up, Laurence never saw dads with cerebral palsy, which made him think he’d never be a parent himself. Besides, the only thing he’d ever managed to look after was a cactus, and even that died from dehydration. But then his future wife said he’d better be prepared for the fact that she wanted babies – which was a pretty strong opening line.
Putting the audience the driver’s seat, An Irresponsible Father’s Guide to Parenting gives a comic, brutally honest and charming account of what it’s really like to be a disabled parent. It challenges, engages with and explores the commonality and differences in the experience of disabled and non-disabled fathers. If Clark is an irresponsible father, it’s probably to do with balancing his wife’s crutches on his son’s baby walker to make him look like a Dalek!
This hilarious, moving and interactive piece asks some tough questions about society and the perceptions that we have of those who do not follow societal norms.
Laurence Clark’s observational, political stand-up and film stunts demonstrate the endearing naivety and ridiculousness of human behaviour by seeing the world through his eyes, with humour and warmth.
He has a long comedy pedigree, having appeared on the BBC’s The One Show, as Shortlist’s Funniest New Comedian and an Amused Moose Edinburgh Laughter Awards finalist. He has also been a presenter on the BBC’s Newsnight.
He is currently writing a sitcom for Channel 4 and has recently joined the Coronation Street writing team.
An Irresponsible Father’s Guide to Parenting can be seen in the Round at the SJT on various dates from Thursday 20 June to Saturday 3 August. Tickets, priced from £10, are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com.