A tight 5: November 14

LOUIE SPENCE has joined the cast of The Producers. The choreographer will play Carmen Ghia, Roger De Bris’ flamboyant assistant, for several dates of next year’s tour. The show previously announced Jason Manford in the lead role of Leo Bloom. Spence will be appearing at the dates in Bromley, Manchester, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Southend, Brighton, Birmingham and Bristol Hippodrome. ACTRESS Laura Aikman – most recently seen playing as Natalie in ITV2’s The Job Lot – has joined the cast of Bluestone 42, Chortle can reveal. The third series of the comedy, about a bomb disposal squad in Afghanistan, is currently being shot in South Africa and will air next year.

Stewart Lee has written an introduction to a new book entitled 101 Things Birmingham Gave The World. He said the city he grew up in, as described in the book, is ‘funny, profound, innovative, historic, and blessed with both a sense of its own absurdity, and a modest pride in its often unheralded achievements’, adding: ‘The older I get, the more I think about the city that shaped me, and regret the things I didn’t engage with.’

CHARLIE BROOKER is to return to BBC Two for his annual round up of the year 2014 Wipe, followed by a six-part Weekly Wipe in the new year, producers Endemol have confirmed. He will be joined by comics Brian Limond – aka Limmy – and Jake Yapp.

PHOTOGRAPHER Idil Sukan is to exhibit 200 of her portraits of comedians and comedy actors – including an acclaimed series of shots of The Muppets. The exhibition takes place at the Embassy Tea Gallery in Southwalk, South London, from February 20 to March 2 next year.

Published: 14 Nov 2014