A first for a comedian

Bill Bailey is to play a week of gig’s at the Royal Opera House in London.

It is the first time a stand-up has played the prestigious Covent Garden venue in its 156-year history.

The comic, and Strictly Come Dancing, will perform eight shows between August 2 and 8 under the title Bill Bailey’s Summer Larks title.

Earlier this week Bailey confirmed that he is writing a song to submit as a potential UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 after  James Newman earned a dreaded ‘nul points’ this year. Almost 1,500 have signed a petition for him to get the gig.

Tickets for the limited Royal Opera House run will be available from 9.30am on Friday.

There has been a theatre on the site of the Royal Opera House since 1732, with the current building standing since 1856. The main auditorium seats 2,256 people – assuming no social distancing.

In 2016, Chris Addison appeared on the stage in a non-singing role in a production of French composer Emmanuel Chabrier's comic opera L'Étoile. 

Published: 8 Jun 2021