Tales From The Vicarage

12 Aug 2023

Shakespeare North Playhouse

Reverend Richard Coles is a writer and broadcaster. Regularly appearing on radio and TV, he was co presenter for Saturday Live on Radio 4 and has appeared on QI, Have I got News for You and Would I Lie to you. He has won Christmas Masterchef and Celebrity Mastermind twice and captained Leeds to victory in Christmas University Challenge. As a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing he scored a lamentable low mark for his Paso Doble. A multi instrumentalist he was a member of the chart topping 80’s bands Bronski Beat and the Communards. He writes regularly for the Sunday Times and is the author of half a dozen bestselling books.

Lady Dodd first met Sir Ken when performing with him in his Christmas show at The Manchester Opera House in 1961, as one of the legendary Bluebell Girls. After a successful career in personnel at British Airways, she decided to return to her showbusiness roots in order to help produce and organise Ken’s tours. From 1980 onwards she spent every year on the road with him playing piano, guitar and flute and singing as Sybie Jones, whilst running the team backstage and offstage to support his legendary comedy career. A unique opportunity to hear some special Doddy backstage stories with Richard, in the theatre garden which Lady Dodd helped to create and proudly bears Sir Ken’s name.