(Image: Supplied)
Three British comedy stars are heading to County Durham this autumn for two special events celebrating famous television shows.
Peter Richardson, Phil Cornwell and Dom Joly will appear at The Witham in Barnard Castle in November for two evenings of comedy, nostalgia and behind-the-scenes stories.
Peter Dixon, who runs Funny Way To Be Comedy, said: "These two events offer audiences a fantastic opportunity to celebrate British comedy at its very best.
The Comic Strip Presents (Image: Supplied)
"Whether revisiting the groundbreaking work of The Comic Strip Presents... or reliving the wonderfully unpredictable world of Trigger Happy TV, there is something really special about hearing the stories behind these iconic programmes directly from the people who created them and brought them to life."
The first event on Wednesday, November 25, celebrates The Comic Strip Presents..., the alternative comedy series that helped transform British television in the 1980s.
Series creator Peter Richardson will curate a selection of classic episodes and films, followed by a live Q&A with actor Phil Cornwell.
Dom Joly (Image: Supplied)
Fans will hear first-hand accounts and behind-the-scenes stories from the productions that launched a generation of British comedy legends.
The Comic Strip featured a core cast that included Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Nigel Planer and Peter Richardson, with regular appearances from Keith Allen, Robbie Coltrane and Alexei Sayle.
The screenings will include The Best of Rik Mayall, The Hunt for Tony Blair, highlights from Stella Street and A Fistful of Cheques.
Mr Dixon said: "The Comic Strip remains such an important part of British comedy history, and this event is a wonderful chance for audiences to revisit those classic moments on the big screen.
"The opportunity to hear Peter Richardson and Phil Cornwell share their experiences and memories makes it much more than a screening – it’s a chance to get closer to the stories behind the comedy."
Three days later, on Saturday, November 28, Dom Joly brings Trigger Happy TV – Live! to The Witham as part of its 25th-anniversary tour.
The hidden-camera comedy became a cult hit for its surreal humour, unforgettable pranks and larger-than-life characters.
Dom Joly will recreate the show’s most iconic sketches on stage and share behind-the-scenes stories.
Fans can expect The Giant Snail, The Traffic Warden, The Morris Dancer, The Scout, A Gang of Squirrels and the character with the famously loud mobile phone.
Mr Dixon said: "Dom Joly created something genuinely distinctive with Trigger Happy TV, and its characters and sketches have stayed in the public imagination for 25 years.
"Bringing that world to a live audience is a brilliant way to celebrate its legacy, and I’m sure audiences at The Witham will relish the chance to see those iconic moments recreated on stage."
Tickets for Trigger Happy TV – Live! start at £28. Premium and meet-and-greet packages are also available.
Premium tickets cost £45 and include the best seats plus a Trigger Happy goody bag.
The £75 meet-and-greet package includes a pre-show meeting with Dom Joly, a photograph, an autograph, front-row seats and a goody bag.
The events span two very different eras and styles of British comedy: The Comic Strip’s anarchic 1980s satire and Trigger Happy TV’s surreal, street-level humour.
The events will feature live conversations, personal appearances and classic comedy on stage and screen.
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The Comic Strip Presents... film screening and live Q&A takes place on Wednesday, November 25, at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £20 and the event is suitable for ages 10 and up.
Trigger Happy TV – Live! takes place on Saturday, November 28, at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £28 to £75 and the show is suitable for those aged 14 and over.
Both events will be held at The Witham in Barnard Castle.
Tickets are available at www.funnywaytobe.com.