“An engaging clown” SUNDAY TIMES “Natural wit” DAILY EXPRESS "Wickedly funny” HERALD ★★★★★ “Dangerously funny” SCOTSMAN ★★★★
Southport The Atkinson on 27th February
Internationally acclaimed comedian, writer and actor, Laurence Clark brings his 9th critically acclaimed comedy show, ‘Independence’, to venues across the UK this year, after the success of its premiere at the Edinburgh Festival this year. His observational, political stand-up and filmed stunts demonstrate the endearing naivety and ridiculousness of human behaviour by seeing the world through his eyes with humour and warmth.
“…irreverent, pertinent and that rarest of things – a humorous hour that leaves you looking at the world in a different light.” Bruce Dessau, EVENING STANDARD
A gig in India took a strange turn when Laurence became paranoid that the Hindi interpreter couldn’t understand him, and was just making up their own material on the spot! Perhaps it’s all part of some bizarre act of revenge on us British to which we are none the wiser? Fair play though, this would be an awesome way for them to celebrate independence! This makes him wonder – is independence often misunderstood? Perhaps it’s not about becoming self-sufficient or doing everything for yourself? Maybe it’s about having choice, control and freedom?
“This is heavy hitting, clever stuff. Not very much stand-up these days has the power to shock, to force a sharp intake of breath and to change minds. This does. Not since Robert Newman have I seen a comic who made me think so much and realise I knew so little. Go. Think. Laugh.” Kate Copstick, THE SCOTSMAN
Laurence has cerebral palsy. In this new show he challenges the audience to laugh at shit he can’t do – guilt-free! With tales of adolescence, love and Harry Potter, he discovers no man is an island, except the Isle of Man! Hilariously he recently performed in the Scottish dance theatre production ‘Purposeless Movements’ (which got a 5 star review in the Herald!), where the whole cast had cerebral palsy and sometimes none of them could understand one another! Daniel Radcliffe has said in a newspaper interview that he prepared for playing a character with cerebral palsy by studying a video of Laurence!
“stupendously funny and thought-provoking show with their sides split and their minds buzzing. Laurence Clark has a wit drier than the Navajo desert, a control of timing that would put Seiko to shame and scores upon scores of fizzingly funny one-liners.” THE STAGE
He has performed everywhere from the House of Commons to a double-decker bus in Sheffield. His many TV appearances include a BBC 1 documentary that Laurence was the subject of called “We Won’t Drop the Baby” and he has been a presenter for BBC Newsnight. He was awarded Shortlist magazine’s Funniest New Comedian and has been a finalist in the Amused Moose Edinburgh Comedy Awards. He recently had a script commissioned for Channel 4 for a new sitcom.
“Laurence Clark has attitude in spades. He’s a searing political satirist who ensures both his message and his jokes are on an equal footing – never lecturing and never being less than funny. He’s such an astute, piercing and funny commentator that disability becomes a side issue. His material is never earnest, nor whinging, nor hectoring – just damn funny comedy from the heart.” Steve Bennett CHORTLE
He regularly performs with the comedy collective ‘Abnormally Funny People’ and recently toured Scotland in Birds of Paradise’s highly acclaimed dance theatre production ‘Purposeless Movements’.
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