Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, RICHARD HERRING is to tour his critically-acclaimed show The Headmaster’s Son during 2009. The 39-date tour begins with a two-week run at London’s The Venue between 17th and 28th February, before continuing around the rest of the UK until 25th April.

What’s worse than being a podgy, swotty, virginal schoolboy? What if your dad’s the headmaster too? In 1981 at the Kings of Wessex Upper School in Cheddar, Somerset, this was the nightmare-reality for RICHARD HERRING, son of TK “The Kipper” Herring. How on earth did he cope? And what are the psychological repercussions on his adult life?

In The Headmaster’s Son, “TK Junior”, as he was satirically known, dusts off his old diaries, rekindles memories that might best have been left forgotten, and picks the scabs off wounds that he thought had healed to discover if he can blame his upbringing for his adult failures. Along the way HERRING attempts to answer such pertinent questions as:

• Could playing the solo from Geno by DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS in any way compensate for the dweebishness of being second trumpet in the school band?
• Would Joanne Thompson have given him the time of day had she known that ten years on he would be presenting Top of the Pops?
• Was he, as he suspected, going to live a life of historical and philosophical import: a sort of better version of Gandhi and Jesus combined? Or would he just end up telling knob jokes for a living?
• Has he ever really, truly got over his childhood sweetheart, or do the embers of first love burn forever?

In the 1990s RICHARD HERRING was in the prodigious double act LEE & HERRING, who created the cult hit BBC TWO shows Fist of Fun and This Morning With Richard Not Judy. He was one of the team behind the award-winning BBC Radio 4 series On The Hour. More recently he has written and starred in ITV1’s hit comedy drama You Can Choose Your Friends, and BBC Radio 2’s That Was Then, This Is Now. A busy year has seen RICHARD HERRING: present a new documentary series Bad Habits on BBC Radio 4; continue to host the Collings and Herrin podcast with broadcaster and writer ANDREW COLLINS, which entered the iTunes top 20 podcast chart when released; and appear as a panellist on BBC TWO’s Never Mind the Buzzcocks. His previous hit live shows include: Ra Ra Rasputin, Punk’s Not Dead, Excavating Rita, Christ on a Bike, Talking Cock, Someone Likes Yoghurt, ménage à un and Oh Fuck, I’m 40!


“One of Britain's best stand-ups.”
Si Hawkins, Metro

“Herring is one of the Fringe's reliable comic pleasures… Undercutting the heartfelt with the puerile wouldn't impress the headmaster. But it spells fine comedy for the rest of us.”
Brian Logan, The Guardian


For more information and press ticket requests, please contact: Ben Nolan or Dan Lloyd.
Tel: 020 7598 7222 Email: benn@avalonuk.com or danl@avalonuk.com

What The Press Said About…

… The Headmaster’s Son in Edinburgh:

“In years to come [Richard Herring] will be remembered as the best comic of his generation mastering every comedic art form - writing bestselling books, performing in award winning stand-up shows, writing and starring in primetime ITV1 comedy dramas. He is a one-man comedy tornado, ripping up every comedic outlet that crosses his path.”
James Mullinger, GQ

“Few come sharper than Herring, who is back for what seems like his 73rd Fringe with yet another thoughtful, funny and personal hour of coruscating stand-up. His consistency in producing fine shows year on year is impressive indeed… this is one of the strongest shows Herring has produced in his already impressive canon. He’s always a Fringe must-see, this year more than most.”
Steve Bennett, Chortle

“His teenage diaries are gut-clenchingly funny and demand instant publication.”
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times

“This year, we're treated to a comedian who has matured, both in content and performance… Herring's dip into the psyche of the sex-obsessed male teenager is top-notch comedy fodder… The Headmaster's Son is a tantalising mix of humour, charm and depth.”
Liz Rawlings, Fest

“Herring is effortlessly engaging.”
Nadine McBay, Metro

“Sharp and witty.”
Marissa Burgess, The List

“He is one of the leading hidden masters of modern British comedy. If there is any justice in the world, and no doubt both the 40 and the 16 year old Richards would tell you there was not, then this show will be sold out every night.”
Graeme Strachan, The British Theatre Guide

“Along with some eye-watering, completely unrepeatable passages, Herring delivered an effusively warm and good natured reminiscence on lost youth.”
Neil McEwan, Edinburgh Evening News

“Though not offensive, he does border on the disgusting, but in such a terrifically funny and witty way that he can be forgiven. A stage comedy expert, Herring's foray into his former childhood innocence is hilarious, thought provoking and thoroughly recommended.”
Richard Hanrahan, Three Weeks

“Packed full of laughs.”
The Scotsman


… Oh Fuck, I’m 40!

“A well-crafted blend of midlife crisis and smart observational comedy. His tale of taking part in the most pathetic pub brawl ever seen is worth the price of admission alone.”
Stephen Armstrong, ‘Culture’ Sunday Times

“A very funny stand up set... While Herring may fear his imminent (supposed) descent, we might as well savour the vantage point from his current comic peak.”
Brian Logan, The Guardian

“As a comedian he is at his peak.”
Bruce Dessau, The Evening Standard

“He wastes no time alchemising his own misery into comedy gold.”
Christopher Collett, Metro

“His writing is as smart and effective as always.”
Steve Bennett, Chortle

“There is nothing one-dimensional about Herring’s wit. Herring may be over the hill in the traditional sense, but Oh fuck, I’m 40! marks a comic coming-of-age which cannot be written off.”
Alison Lutton, Fest magazine

“He had the whole house roaring with laughter… the more Herring ups the ante, the more thoughtful you realise he becomes.”
Nick Awde, The Stage


… ménage à un

“One of Britain’s smartest solo comedians.”
William Cook, The Guardian

“Richard Herring's show takes self-mockery to heart-warming new levels.”
Stephen Armstrong, Sunday Times

“This is smart stand-up proving that other people's failure is the surefire stuff of comedy success.”
Brian Logan, The Guardian

“This thoughtful Herring is still a big fish on stage.”
Sharon Lougher, Metro

“Herring simply improves with age… If being by yourself produces this kind of entertainment, Herring should be confined to his own company indefinitely.”
Brian Donaldson, The List

“Herring produces some of the most inventive, original and funny stand-up at the festival. In the glossy, free programme, he ponders why he keeps coming back to Edinburgh year after year. One answer must surely be: ‘because he’s good at it’.”
Steve Bennett, Chortle

“The real stars of the Edinburgh Festival aren’t the comics who turn up twice, win a sackful of awards and vanish onto TV. The true stars are the acts who keep pitching up, year after year, not to try and get on the telly, but to try out something new. Richard Herring is one of those stars.”
William Cook, The Guardian

“Brave and thought-provoking stand up.”
Les Dennis, The Daily Telegraph


… Someone Likes Yoghurt

“His new show, Someone Likes Yoghurt, was inspired by a supermarket visit where the checkout person made a sarcastic comment about his penchant for milk-based desserts. Only a truly gifted neurotic could get so much material from such a minor slight.”
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard

“Clever, contrived and often quite silly.”
Marissa Burgess, Metro

“Irritating, relentless, pathetic, petty, pedantic, arrogant, embarrassing, pointless and endlessly funny.”
Stewart Lee, The Sunday Times

“Brilliant… A triumphant experiment in the art of tedium.”
Sam Friedman, Fest


… The Twelve Tasks Of Hercules Terrace

“Richard Herring hasn't just written a new show for this year's Fringe, he's started a new religion… Herring has taken the researching and writing a one-hour comedy show to its extreme and the gods should justly reward him.”
Shona Craven, Metro

“Triumphantly funny.”
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard

“Herring has a confidence and affability which instantly draws you in.”
Gordon Eldrett, The List

“For a show that's ostensibly about depression, this is a remarkably feel good night out. Mainly, of course, because Herring conquered his demons, but also because of the jaunty, playful touch he brings to this impressively well-constructed show. Make it your task to catch it.”
Steve Bennett, Chortle

… Talking Cock

“It is the avowedly funny Talking Cock that in the end produces more serious food for thought than all the platitudes of The Vagina Monologues. Herring is a good enough comedian to make you see men, with all their obsessions and oddities, differently.”
Sarah Crompton, The Daily Telegraph

“The show is funny, humiliating, impassioned and weird in equal parts. It’s his best work to date. If we gave stars, he’d have lots.”
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times

“His Cock is as funny and fascinating for women as it is for men. I loved it. I only wished it could have been longer.”
Kate Copstick, The Scotsman

“I laughed till I cried. Herring’s account of male penis frenzy is very funny.”
Iain McWhirter, Sunday Herald

“This show could develop to be something quite special, mixing earthy humour with delicate sensitivity around a subject that really doesn’t get the serious, dignified attention it deserves.”
Sharon Cribbin, Edinburgh Evening News


Tour Dates

JANUARY
Saturday 31st - TEWKESBURY Roses Theatre PREVIEW - 01684 295 074

FEBRUARY
Tuesday 17th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Wednesday 18th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Thursday 19th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Friday 20th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Saturday 21st - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Tuesday 24th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Wednesday 25th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Thursday 26th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Friday 27th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475
Saturday 28th - LONDON Leicester Square Theatre - 0844 847 2475

MARCH
Sunday 1st - WINCHESTER Theatre Royal - 01962 840 440
Thursday 5th - KOMEDIA Bath - 0845 293 8480
Friday 6th - WARWICK Arts Centre - 024 7652 4524
Saturday 7th - NEW MILTON Forest Arts Centre - 01425 612 393
Sunday 8th - BRISTOL Tobacco Factory - 0117 902 0344
Monday 9th - TAUNTON Brewhouse - 01823 283 244
Thursday 12th - CAMBRIDGE Junction - 01223 511 511
Friday 13th - UPPINGHAM Theatre - 01572 820 820
Sunday 15th - YORK Hyena Lounge - 08707 583219
Monday 16th - HARROGATE Theatre - 01423 502 116
Wednesday 18th - LEAMINGTON SPA Newbold Hall - 01926 334 418
Thursday 19th - LIVERPOOL Unity Theatre - 0151 709 4988
Friday 20th - WOLVERHAMPTON Little Civic - 0870 320 7000
Saturday 21st - GLASGOW Comedy Festival - 0870 013 5464
Sunday 22nd - MANCHESTER Frog & Bucket - 0161 236 9805
Monday 23rd - SHEFFIELD City Hall Memorial Hall - 0114 2789 789
Tuesday 24th - LEEDS The Library - 0113 244 0794
Wednesday 25th - CARDIFF St. David’s Hall - 029 2087 8444
Thursday 26th - OXFORD OFS Studio - 01865 297 170
Saturday 28th - KINGS LYNN Arts Centre - 01553 764 864

APRIL
Wednesday 1st - CHELTENHAM Town Hall - 0844 576 2210
Friday 3rd - DERBY Darwin Suite - 01332 255 800
Friday 17th - STAFFORD Gatehouse - 01785 254 653
Saturday 18th - WARRINGTON Pyramid Arts Centre - 01925 442 345
Monday 20th - JERSEY Arts Centre - 01534 700 444
Wednesday 22nd - NORWICH Arts Centre - 01603 660 352
Thursday 23rd - BRIGHTON Komedia - 0845 293 8480
Friday 24th - ALDERSHOT West End Centre - 01252 330 040
Saturday 25th - CLACTON-ON-SEA Princes Theatre - 01255 686 633



Avalon Promotions

Avalon Promotions Limited is best known for its presentation of live comedy. The last year has seen FRANK SKINNER, JENNY ECLAIR, LEE MACK, RUSSELL HOWARD, RICHARD HERRING, Edinburgh and Beyond, and Grumpy Old Women Live on sell-out tours around the UK, with Grumpy Old Women Live also embarking on a hugely successful tour of Australia.

Avalon also produced and promoted Jerry Springer - The Opera at the National Theatre, at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End and on national tour. Among many others, Avalon Promotions has staged: HARRY HILL at the Palace and Dominion Theatres in London; Dave Gorman’s Googlewhack Adventure at the Sydney Opera House, the Edinburgh Festival, on UK tour and at the Village Theatre, New York (nominated for Drama Desk Award 2004); AL MURRAY’s West End runs of My Gaff My Rules, A Glass of White Wine For the Lady (twice nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment) and …And Another Thing; Richard Herring’s Christ on a Bike, ménage à un at the Arts Theatre London; Are You Dave Gorman? at the Westbeth Theatre, New York (nominated for Drama Desk Award and winner of Time Out’s Best Comedy 2001); Baddiel & Skinner Unplanned at the Shaftesbury Theatre London; Frank Skinner Live at the London Palladium; and Grumpy Old Women Live at the Lyric Theatre. In 1993 Avalon Promotions presented NEWMAN & BADDIEL to a sold-out audience of 12,000 in the first comedy show ever to be staged at Wembley Arena. This was followed by FRANK SKINNER performing to a record-breaking audience of 6,000 at the Battersea Power Station.