Details

Fellow professional performers will be paying tribute to Linda Smith - the comedian, writer and radio broadcaster who died from ovarian cancer in early 2006 - in a brand new stage production which reunites Linda's comic genius with her audiences. A national tour marking Linda's outstanding contribution to the world of comedy is designed to coincide with the annual campaign to raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer and to raise funds for crucial clinical research in to the disease. In a full two hour show - actors, musicians and comedians will take audiences on a beautifully crafted journey through Linda's life story in an adaptation of her biography 'Driving Miss Smith' published in November 2007 by Hodder and Stoughton. Written by her partner of 23 years, Warren Lakin, the book is a perfect accompaniment to 'I Think The Nurses Are Stealing My Clothes' an hilarious anthology of Linda's best comedy work edited by Warren Lakin and first published in November 2006 and now in paperback. The stage show is directed and narrated by two of Linda's closest theatrical friends from her days in Sheffield, Kate Rutter and Mike McCarthy, with Warren Lakin in a supporting role. Linda spent 14 years in the city, graduating from the University of Sheffield before going on to co-found the ground breaking Sheffield Popular Theatre and directing the legendary Chuffinelles women's cabaret and comedy group. Each performance will feature musical contributions from friends such as award-winning singer songwriters Barb Jungr, Ian Shaw and Sandi Russell plus guest spots from TV and stage actors led by Gwyneth Strong – Cassandra from 'Only Fools and Horses'. Aside from a lively narrative, performers will be giving renditions of Linda's fantastically funny material drawn from across her professional stage, radio and TV career which spanned 1983 to 2006. The show features carefully selected cuts of Linda's comedy in audio and visual clips from shows such as 'News Quiz'; 'Just A Minute'; 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue'; 'A Brief History of Time Wasting'; 'Have I Got News For You'; 'Room 101 Supporting Ovarian Cancer Action.

Cast/Performers

Warren Lakin

Creatives/Company

Producer: Lakin Productions (in association with The Friends of Linda Smith)
Director(s): Kate Rutter, Mike McCarthy