UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 01, 2020 / BILL BAILEY

EN ROUTE TO NORMAL

ARENA TOUR 2021

“Bailey live is a joy to behold ««««.”

The Evening Standard

Following a forced touring hiatus due to the global pandemic, Bill Bailey is delighted to announce his long awaited return to the live stage. “The finest stand-up comedian this country has to offer,” (The Times) Bill will be bringing his brand new live show EN ROUTE TO NORMAL to UK arenas in December 2021.

“Still one of the funniest and most brilliantly original comedians around.”

The Telegraph

“Hilarious, unmissable... leaves you gasping.”

The Sunday Times

How did we get here? How do we find our way through this? And exactly who are we again?

In Bill’s new show, EN ROUTE TO NORMAL, Bill ponders this and other questions that this moment in history has thrown up, and tries to see a way through the strange unreality of our new world.  Tracing lines through chaotic moments in history, Bill seeks out parallels where human resilience and our ability to endure has got us through times of strife. 

He recounts his own experiences of dealing with isolation, including his thoughts on the ‘sounds of lockdown’. This led to a greater appreciation of birdsong and how the natural music of nature in general has inspired many great composers throughout history, and perhaps led to the creation of music itself. Our reliance on technology has inspired Bill himself to create dance remixes of video-calling ringtones.

Through music, songs, and memories, Bill considers our changing priorities, the wonder of dogs, how little things can keep you on track and rhapsodises on his new-found love of skydiving.

In a show who’s title Bill had written before we’d even heard of COVID, EN ROUTE TO NORMAL has become not just a funny, heartwarming mix of stories, music and history, but a personal mission to find our way through these Strange Times! 

Described by The Guardian as “one of Bailey’s best shows for years ««««“, Bill’s 2015 live offering, Limboland, was arguably one of his most successful shows ever. Having performed Limboland to in excess of 230,000 fans, across 170 sell-out dates in the UK alone, including a six week run in London’s West End, the critics were unanimous in their praise for the show, The Sunday Times describing it as, “an exquisite romp through every comic trope, from music hall to alternative comedy, all given Bailey’s benignly impish twist… «««««” and by The Evening Standard as, “uproariously funny… hardly puts a foot wrong ««««.”

Bill had previously toured Limboland in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, enjoying packed houses and the critics raving. The Herald Sun in Melbourne described the show as, “a solid new effort from a genuine marvel. Pretty much unmissable★★★★” and The New Zealand Herald as, “bloody excellent… The material is solid gold.”

January 2018 saw Bill unveil his brand new live show Larks In Transit to UK audiences with a five-month tour of the country. Larks in Transit replicated the success of Limboland before it, with sold out houses across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Bill ended the year with a show stopping five-week residency at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre over Christmas and New Year. In excess of 350,00 people saw the show, which was described by The Guardian as “a two-hour foray into Bailey’s magpie mind… a delightful place to spend time★★★★.” With Metro hailing Bill as “A Prog Rock superstar… virtually unstoppable★★★★.” Alas, they clearly hadn't foreseen the arrival of a global pandemic. In spring of this year Bill regrettably had to cut short the final European leg of the Larks In Transit tour due to the escalating risk from Coronavirus.

Away from the live stage, Bill has always maintained a regular presence on the small screen. Taking over from Sean Hughes in 2002, Bill enjoyed eleven successful and enjoyable series as team captain on the long running music, comedy panel show, Never Mind The Buzzcocks (BBC2). Bill’s TV portfolio also includes three series of the hit black comedy Black Books (C4) in which he played the increasingly deranged ex-accountant Manny Bianco opposite fellow comic Dylan Moran, acclaimed comedy Spaced (C4), Is It Bill Bailey? (BBC2) and Bill Bailey Live (C4). Bill appeared in the comedy drama serial Jonathan Creek (BBC1), the edgy teen drama Skins (C4) and was more recently seen in Midsomer Murders (ITV1). Bill was also in the 2011 Doctor Who Christmas Special, The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe, in which he played a Droxil, a Harvest Ranger from the Planet Androzani Major. Bill has guest hosted the satirical panel show, Have I Got News for You (BBC1) and has been a regular panelist on QI (BBC1).

2018 saw Bill team up with Idris Elba to star in his semi-autobiographical comedy drama series In The Long Run (Sky1). Set in the mid 80’s against the backdrop of a Hackney Council Estate, Bill played Bagpipes, neighbour and friend to Elba’s Walter. The show was described by The Guardian as “a joyful portrait of community and camaraderie, of home and belonging, of dreams and joie de vivre.” and by The Express as “charming comedy drama with real heart.”  The show’s success led to subsequent commissions with the most recent third series having aired in summer 2020, the Evening Standard saying of the show, “it’s warmth and charm is undeniable.” 

On the big screen, Bill appeared in the film Saving Grace, had a cameo appearance in the comedy feature Hot Fuzz and was seen playing Farmer Macreadie in the comedy sequel, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang. Bill also appeared in the John Landis comedy Burke and Hare and the snowboarding rom-com, Chalet Girl. Bill is soon to lend his voice to the character Wang Chao in the upcoming animation Dragonkeeper.

This autumn will see the release of Bill’s latest book offering, Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to Happiness, a collection of funny, meditative and thoughtful essays exploring the nature of happiness. An antidote to the frenetic whirl of modern life, the book promises to aim for the heart of real joy and contentment and how we can all achieve it.

Having declined previous requests due to ongoing touring commitments, the pause in live shows due to the pandemic has provided Bill the opportunity to partake in the forthcoming series of BBC1’s hit primetime Saturday night entertainment show, Strictly Come Dancing. Bill will join a cast of names from the world of music, sport and entertainment as they don their dancing shoes and sparkles in the hope of securing this season’s coveted Strictly Glitter Ball.

Bill Bailey

21st December 2021 - Utilita Arena Birmingham

Tickets go on sale 10am on 9th October 2020 via www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0344 338 8222

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