AN AWARD-WINNING TV producer is going on tour later this year to showcase his love of poetry.
Henry Normal, who has lived in Roedean, near Brighton, for the past 23 years, has 30 years of experience in the television industry, earning writing credits for programmes such as The Royle Family, Mrs Merton, Coogan's Run, and the Parole Officer's feature film.
He is now coming to perform poetry at Komedia in Gardner Street, Brighton, on December 1.
The 90-minute show at Komedia is part of a national tour and will include material from two new collections that he published during lockdown.
The comedy writer said: "Very much a home gig for me, and I am very excited to be playing at the Komedia again.
"It is a lovely space, and of course, Brighton is a very intelligent and good audience."
The live show The Escape Plan will take inspiration from over 40 years of work, featuring stories, jokes and poems from Henry's acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series which was recently nominated for an Aria Award as well as his ten poetry books.
Henry, whose real name is Peter Carroll, lives with his wife Angela Pell and his son Johnny Carroll-Pell.
He has returned to poetry after being inspired by his experiences of raising his son Johnny who has autism.
The 64-year-old said: "The show is a mixture of comedy and some thoughtfulness. There will be a stream of consciousness use in terms of the storyline.
"During the lockdown I have been able to spend a lot more time with Johnny and he has encouraged my poetry.
"There maybe some of what you might call proper pulling to give it some oomph."
Ahead of the live tour in the Autumn, Henry is also hosting weekly online poetry sessions via his New Poetry Society, in which Henry is joined by a guest poet every week.
These take place on Zoom and are free, plus they can be viewed from anywhere in the world.
Inspire, a charitable community benefit society delivering cultural and learning services, is hosting the event which will take place in Henry's home town in Nottingham.
He is also a co-founder and managing director of Baby Cow Productions.
He set up the company with Steve Coogan and produced Gavin and Stacey, Alan Partridge, Moone Boy, Uncle, The Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night and the Oscar-nominated film Philomena.
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