A BAFTA award-winning TV producer and writer is coming to Kendal as part of his one-man tour, to a place he always considered a 'luxury' to perform.

Henry Normal will be coming to the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal on Friday, April 15 to perform his signature brand of comedy, storytelling, and poetry.

Henry's co-writing credits include The Royle Family, Mrs Merton, Coogan's Run, and feature-film The Parole Officer.

As co-founder and Managing Director of Baby Cow Productions which he set up with Steve Coogan, he produced over 450 TV programmes and 18 films, including Gavin and Stacey, Alan Partridge, Moone Boy, Uncle, The Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night, and the Oscar-nominated film Philomena.

Henry has toured clubs, theatres, and festivals throughout his illustrious career, but said he always enjoys coming to Kendal and the Lake District:

"Before I worked in TV I used to gig with quite a few of the northern comedy acts, like Steve Coogan, Frank Skinner, and Linda Smith.

“I used to play all the art centres, comedy clubs, pop concerts, anywhere with a stage!

"Kendal was a luxury in those days, being a proper arts centre.

"I first played there with Linda Smith back in the 80s, and I remember the Arts Centre being quite new then.

"Linda’s now passed away, but I remember the gig very fondly.

"I played a literary festival in Grasmere 3 years ago – It’s absolutely beautiful there, with the Wordsworth House and Museum, and I did queue up for the famous gingerbread.

"I'm a big fan of the Lakes - after the gig in Kendal I'll probably nip up to Grasmere for a day out - I'm in Salford the next day and it’s not quite as pretty.

“Steve Coogan's got a place this side of Coniston, so I’ve stopped there a few times enjoying this side of the Lakes."

After working with some of the biggest names in British TV for over 30 years, Henry has gone back to his poetic roots, writing and performing two shows a year for BBC Radio 4, and he explained the concept of the show he is bringing to Kendal:

"Poetry, stand-up comedy, short stories, it’s all communication - the show is very similar to the radio shows.

"The poems are the vehicle, and I talk around them with stories and jokes.

"It’s called The Escape Plan - what with Covid, and Brexit, which we’ve all forgotten about, the war in Ukraine, and all our financial woes, we need a bit of escape.

"The idea is you come to the show, we talk about all the things that matter in the world.

"We have a laugh - most of it’s funny!"