A Cartoon History of Here

Venues across northern Britain will play host to new performances of The Cartoon History of Here over the next few months, an event described as "a live-action cartoon" created by Yorkshire poet, broadcaster and comedian, Ian McMillan and several times Cartoonist of the Year, Tony Husband.

The two top funny men reflect upon local stories, legends, rivers and romance, presenting poems and cartoons to go in a "a fast-flowing, rapid-rafting adventure", offering comedy, cartoonery, poetry and improv in a hilarious live-action cartoon of the local community they're visiting, starring its friendly folks, fantastic fortunes, dazzling ambition and tenderest moments.

Ian McMillan ("The John Peel of poetry", says Alec Finlay) hosts weekly hit radio show The Verb. He’s Yorkshire Planetarium’s Poet in Space, Poet-in-Residence for The Academy of Urbanism and Barnsley FC, Humberside Police’s Beat Poet, Yorkshire TV’s Investigative Poet and a regular on shows such as Newsnight Review, The Today Programme, Just A Minute and Have I Got News For You? His rip-roaring poetry shows are legendary. Cats make him sneeze. "‘He's one of my all-time heroes - he’s such a talented bloke, I could kill him" says Mike Harding.

Tony Husband is Cartoonist in Residence at The Lowry and a cartoonist for titles such as The Times, Private Eye and PR Weekly and whose latest book is The World’s Worst Joke. He's been awarded Strip, Gag and Sports Cartoonist of the Year no fewer than ten times by the Cartoon Arts Trust and won the 2005 Pont Award given in memory of the great thirties’ cartoonist for his depiction of British life. Tony also has a weekly strip in his local paper, The Tameside Advertiser, can be found in Who’s Who and says Ian makes him sneeze.

The event is suitable for ages 9 and over, running time 80 minutes.

Tour Dates So Far...

• 30 January: Pitchcombe Village Hall Box Office 01453 763181

• 7 March: The Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley Box Office Box Office: 01226 200075
• 13 March: 7.30pm St Paul’s Hall, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield. Part of the Huddersfield Literature Festival 2009. Tickets from the Lawrence Batley Box Office Tel: 01484 430528 (www.lawrencebatleytheatre.co.uk)
• 18 March: 7.30pm Ledsham Village Hall, Capenhurst, Cheshire Box Office: 0151 339 3327
• 19 March Helsby Community Centre, Helsby, Cheshire Box Office: 01928 723399
• 20 March Kettleshume Village Hall, Cheshire Box Office: 01663 735149
• 25 March 8.00pm Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth, Cumbria Box Office: 01900 826448
• 26 March Ireby Village Hall, Cumbria
• 27 March Ullock Village Hall, Cumbria

• 24 April Arnside Educational Institute, Church Hill, Arnside. Tickets: adult - £8, child - £4.50, family (2 adults and 2 children) - £19. Box Office: 01524 762254