ONE of the biggest names in comedy is coming to West Somerset for the first time, as part of a national touring event in aid of the Labour party.
Arthur Smith, one of comedy’s elder statesmen, an Edinburgh Fringe stalwart and well known performer, will appear in Stand Up for Labour, to be held on May 10 at the Hobby Horse on The Esplanade in Minehead.
Stand Up For Labour is a national tour of well known comedians who do profile-raising events for the Labour party.
The Minehead show came about after local organiser Kathrine See complained that West Somerset was being forgotten.
Arthur Smith is regularly heard on Radio 4 and appears on TV in such shows as QI, Have I Got News for You, The One Show and Grumpy Old Men, among others.
His acting credits include Red Dwarf and Are You Being Served, and he co-wrote the play An Evening with Gary Lineker.
The Minehead event will also include Plymouth-based comedian Richard James, who has performed across the UK, and Eliza Fraser, a high-energy performer from the Bristol comedy scene.
It will be hosted by Crispin Flintoff, who set up Stand Up For Labour in 2012 as he believed that political events were not inspiring or entertaining enough.
He has now organised over 200 shows in England, Scotland and Wales.
Tickets cost £10 before May 1, then £12 or £15 on the door. They are available at the Hobby Horse or online at standupforlabour.co.uk.