Kieran Hodgson announces Big In Scotland tour
- Kieran Hodgson's new live show is about "being a not-quite immigrant in a not-quite different country"
- Big In Scotland will start in Edinburgh in August and then tour the UK until April 2024
- "There's a song and maybe a tartan jacket, depending on how hot the venue is"
Two Doors Down star Kieran Hodgson has announced Big In Scotland, a new live show that will start at in Edinburgh in August and then tour until April 2024.
"The phenomenal Kieran Hodgson is set to return to the stage this August, with a full run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, followed by a national tour, kicking off at the Soho Theatre from September with his highly anticipated new show.
"Big In Scotland is the story of being a not-quite immigrant in a not-quite different country. It's a journey of discovery and belonging, as Kieran's Anglo-centric view of the UK is challenged and destroyed by a cast of Scottish characters, and as Kieran himself builds a new life for himself that he could have never imagined.
"Kieran Hodgson had a plan. It was to be one of those London people: wandering the streets of Chelsea, Tottenham and Leyton Orient, doing guest roles on Radio 4 sitcoms alongside Nigel Havers, and laughing scornfully at the provinces. But was this really the route to Kieran's happiness? Is it anyone's?
"Then everything changed: in 2020 Kieran moved to Scotland because of his husband's job, plunging a world still in shock from the Pandemic into further confusion. Who would Kieran be in this strange new land? Could he become someone totally different - better, even? Was he now obliged to give ill-informed opinions about independence to English members of his family? What was the difference between a stooshie and a rammy, and could Kieran discover it in time not to make an idiot of himself while trying to make new Scottish friends?
"At a time when numerous obituaries for the United Kingdom are being written, Big In Scotland takes a look at the non-newsy aspects of the England-Scotland relationship and makes the political both personal and daft. Kieran learns Gaelic (a bit), climbs Munros (a few), ends up starring in a Scottish sitcom (not really starring as he's a secondary character). He meets Prime Ministers and panto stars, Weegies and Walter Scott. He asks himself and the people of his new home whether he belongs, though it turns out the answer is perhaps less important than how you ask the question.
"There's a song and maybe a tartan jacket, depending on how hot the venue is."
Born and raised in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, Hodgson has "strip-mined his formative years" to create the acclaimed live shows Lance (2015), Maestro (2016) and '75 (2018), all three of which were nominated for Best Comedy Show at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Dates
Big In Scotland will run at the Pleasance Courtyard (Forth room) from 2nd to 27th August, before heading out on tour:
11th - 23rd Sept (not 17th) - London - Soho Theatre - Downstairs
Weds 27th Sept - Kendal - Brewery Arts
Thurs 28th Sept - Carlisle - Old Fire Station
Fri 29th Sept - Liverpool - Royal Court
Sat 30th Sept - Aberystwyth Comedy Festival
Sun 1st Oct - Salford - The Lowry
Weds 4th Oct - Bradford - Alhambra Studio
Thurs 5th Oct - York - Theatre@41
Fri 6th Oct - Selby - Town Hall
Sat 7th Oct - Newcastle - The Stand
Sun 8th Oct - Coventry - Warwick Arts Centre
Weds 11th Oct - Belfast - MAC
Thurs 12th Oct - Reading - South Street Arts Centre
Fri 13th Oct - Oxford - North Wall Arts Centre
Sat 14th Oct - Bath - Rondo Theatre
Sun 15th Oct - Brighton - Komedia
Weds 18th Oct - Norwich - Playhouse
Thurs 26th Oct - St Andrew's - Byre Theatre
Weds 1st Nov - Chorley - Chorley Theatre
Thurs 2nd Now - Glasgow - The Stand
Fri 3rd Nov - Perth - Perth Theatre
Sun 5th Nov - Aberdeen - Lemon Tree
Wed 21st Feb - Leicester Comedy Festival - Firebug
Thurs 21st March - Shetland - Shetland Arts
Sat 23rd March - Melrose - Corn Exchange
Thurs 28th March - Inverness - Eden Court
Fri 29th March - Skye - SEALL
Thurs 4th April - Exeter - Phoenix Arts
Fri 5th April - Bristol - Wardrobe Theatre
Sat 6th April - Cambridge - Junction