Adam Kay Comes to Greenwich Theatre

Award-winning comedian Adam Kay is bringing two contrasting shows to Greenwich Theatre next month on subjects that could not be closer to his heart - an obsession with satirical singer-songwriter Tom Lehrer and his former life as a junior doctor under the "threatened" NHS.

The Remains of Tom Lehrer will be performed on Saturday, February 10, and This is Going to Hurt on Wednesday, February 28, both at 7.30pm.

"Both shows have been a long time in the making," said Adam, whose many credits include performing at Prince Harry's 30th birthday party. "I've spent the best part of a decade gently updating Tom Lehrer's songs to make them accessible to a brand new audience hitherto unaware of his genius.

"This is Going to Hurt is based on the diaries I kept as a junior doctor. I decided to start reading these diaries out loud a couple of years ago when junior doctors were coming under fire from the government.

"I took both shows up to the Edinburgh Festival the same year as both topics were - for very different reasons - extremely close to my heart."

Adam, who lives in Chiswick, knows Greenwich Theatre well. "I first went there on school trips from Dulwich College," he said, "and I leapt at the chance when my producer let me know that the theatre were interested in these shows. I just hope I won't lower the tone of the place irreparably."

James Haddrell, Greenwich Theatre's artistic and executive director, persuaded Adam to bring both works to Greenwich. "I'm also a huge fan of Tom Lehrer and anything that both celebrates his work for existing fans and unveils it for potential new followers has to be a good thing.

"Adam's route into performance is an unusual one, having worked previously as a junior doctor. His show about that period of his life, and the current state of the NHS, is sure to be unforgettable. It's a celebration of those working at the coalface and a challenge to those with the power to influence the future of the service.

"The thing that I find so refreshing about Adam, in performance and in interviews he's given, is that whilst he has a huge capacity to make people laugh, he doesn't have the comedian's usual need to end every story or thought with a punchline. He is as thoughtful and reflective as he is funny."

Find out more at www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk. For tickets call the box office on 020 8858 7755.

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