As well as being the all-round entertainer we all know and love from the telly, Count Arthur Strong is also a lifelong fan of astronomy, since having been given a microscope, or whatever it is they use, for Christmas when he was a small precocious baby. In fact, it's said the first word he spoke was 'Uranus'. In this, his brand-new show, he seamlessly combines the very best showbiz entertainment you'll currently find, in the world, possibly? as he wrestles with some of the big questions that other all-round entertainers shy away from. Such as:

Are we alone in the universe?Is there life on Mars bars?

2lbs of potatoes.Packet of ginger nuts.

Don't lose this shopping list.

'Do not miss this not to be missed type of thing!

If I wasn't in the show I'd definitely be in the audience watching myself intently. Laughing and learning in equal measure. Thoroughly happy to pay the admission fee and definitely not asking for a refund. Also not rustling sweet wrappers and fiddling with my sodding telephone with a gormless expression on my face. See you there!'.Arthur

"Undeniably brilliant" - Brian Logan, The Guardian

"Pure genius and pure tribute to the golden age of vaudeville" - Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard

"Can safely be mentioned in the same breath as Tommy Cooper" - Steve Bennett, Chortle

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.

Wedneday 2 October 2019
Doors: 7.30pm Start: 8pm
The Grand Hall, Scarborough Spa

An unmissable opportunity to see comic legend Frank Skinner perform brand new stand-up in an intimate space.

‘Provocative, remorseless, and very, very funny’ The Times

‘One of Britain’s funniest men’ Evening Standard

All Tickets*: £25

*plus booking fee

Tickets go on sale on Friday 22 March at 10am.

Meet the world’s first Door-to-Door Poet at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre

Wednesday 15 May, 7.45pm

What do you think would happen if you knocked on a stranger's door and offered to write them a poem?

Find out in a new show, Door-to-Door Poetry, at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre next month.

Three years ago, Rowan McCabe became the world’s first Door-to-Door Poet. Knocking on strangers' doors, he asks what is important to them, then goes away and writes a poem about this, free of charge, before bringing it back and performing it on their doorstep.

Through this bold and arguably stupid act, he hopes to prove that anyone in the world can enjoy poetry. The project has been featured inThe Guardian, on BBC

Breakfast and was named 'Best of Today' on BBC Radio 4.

Through a funny and thought-provoking mix of spoken word and theatre, Door-to-Door Poetry charts the full story of Rowan's adventures around the North East of England, including his visit to a mosque in Newcastle and his trip to Kingston Road in Stockton, the location for Channel 4’s controversial documentary Benefits Street.

Completely out of his comfort zone, Rowan stumbles into a series of unlikely events that question fixed notions about the world we live in. Discussing isolation and prejudice in today's society, this show asks a simple, yet vital question: Can we trust strangers?

Door-to-Door Poetry is the third poetry evening at the SJT in May: Luke Wright brings his new show Poet Laureate on Saturday 4 May, and John Hegley will perform his new show, New & Selected Potatoes, on Thursday 9 May. Poetry lovers wishing can get tickets for all three shows for the price of two if booked at the same time.

Door-to-Door Poetry can be seen in the McCarthy at the SJT at 7.45pm on Wednesday 15 May. Tickets are priced from £10, and can be booked at the box office on 01723 370541 or via the website: www.sjt.uk.com

Musical comedy Drip comes to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre

 Tuesday 14 May

Script Club and Boundless Theatre bring a new one-man musical comedy to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre next month.

Drip is by Tom Wells, with music by Matthew Robins, the duo behind Broken Biscuits, which seen at the SJT in 2016. Tom Wells also wrote the highly acclaimed Jumpers for Goalposts, seen at the SJT in 2013. Directed by Jane Fallowfield, it’s performed by Josh Tucker.

Liam is 15, and he’s just signed up for Bev Road Baths’ first ever synchronized swimming team. It’s for his best mate, Caz, really. She needs to get a team together to win the annual Project Prize at school. She tries every year. She always loses.

But Liam’s an optimist; he’s determined to help. There’s just one problem. Liam can’t swim.

Following a sell-out run in 2017 and a run at the Bush Theatre, Drip is now touring the UK in 2019. The original production was supported by Hull City Council and Hull UK City of Culture.

Drip can be seen in the McCarthy at the SJT at 7.45pm on Tuesday 14 May. Tickets are priced from £10, and can be booked at the box office on 01723 370541 or via the website:www.sjt.uk.com

An evening of live stand-up comedy in the remodelled Bridlington Spa cafe, the perfect setting to enjoy a night of laughter, deli favourites and drinks. Call 01262 678258.

The show business Colossasus (check that) takes us back on a journey through his early career. Call 01723 821888.

Ed is recognized as one of the finest observational comics in the industry, so look forward to a great night. Call 01262 678258.

A giant of a man accompanied by an eloquent wit and booming, operatic voice. An evening with Brian Blessed is an experience that nobody should miss. Call 01723 821888.

An evening of live stand-up comedy in the remodelled Bridlington Spa cafe, the perfect setting for laughter. Call 01262 678258.

Join German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn for an evening of Teutonic jolliness at its best. Call 01723 821888.

Jimmy is gathering a selection of his very best jokes along with brand new material for the ultimate comedy show. Call 01723 821888.

KEN DODD, Bridlington Spa. Enjoy his famous Happiness Show and you'll be absolutely discumknockerated (that's Knotty Ash for 'over the moon') by a truly tattifelarius (fun-filled) evening of laughter and songs. Call 01262 678258.