Live Comedy
Ashley Blaker: Normal Schmormal
Following the huge success of his recent book (Normal Schmormal) and second BBC Radio 4 series (Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children), comedian Ashley Blaker embarks on his Normal Schmormal stand-up tour.
Ashley's aim is simple: to completely change how people talk about parenting children with special needs.
He has six children, three of whom have a Special Education Needs (SEN) diagnosis. Between the children there is autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, speech and language disorders, heart defects, hearing loss, mobility issues, sensory needs and gastroenterological problems. As Ashley says, "You know you've got a lot going on when Great Ormond Street Hospital give you your own parking space." It's certainly not what anyone would call a 'normal' household, but Ashley wouldn't want it any other way.
Ashley's story is one which parents, carers and teachers of children with SEN will particularly relate to, but his heartwarming tour, like the book and radio series, will appeal to any parent who believes love and acceptance are the most important building blocks of a happy family.
Blaker says: "Being a parent is tough and raising kids with special needs is even tougher. That's why I am delighted to share our story with people and hopefully provide some much-needed light relief. Thankfully our kids provide so much comic material this has all taken much less time to write than you might imagine."
April 2024
Friday 12: Guildford, G Live
Saturday 13: Hemel Hempstead, Old Town Hall
Tuesday 16: Radlett, Centre
Saturday 20: Didcot, Cornerstone Arts Centre
Sunday 21: Winchester, Theatre Royal
May 2024
Thursday 16: Birmingham, MAC
Friday 17: Swindon, Arts Centre
Wednesday 22: Hull, Social
Thursday 23: Salford, Lowry
Sunday 26: Leeds, Carriageworks
June 2024
Sunday 2: Southend, Palace Theatre
Tuesday 18: Colchester, Arts Centre
Wednesday 19: London, JW3
Sunday 23: Exeter, Phoenix Theatre
Thursday 27: Brighton, Komedia
Saturday 29: Milton Keynes, The Stables