Brum broadcasting legend Ian Danter has joined the cast of Birmingham Comedy Festival’s The Goon Show (Sun 8 Oct 2023, Symphony Hall, Birmingham).
A familiar voice on talkSPORT and Planet Rock, Ian’s radio career started at BRMB in Birmingham, where his ‘Barmy Brummies’ breakfast and drivetime shows were massive hits.
Ian went on to join Capital Gold and 100.7 Heart FM (with Ian Danter’s Sunday Carve Up), before joining talkSPORT and Planet Rock – where he continues to broadcast today.
A gifted impressionist, he’s also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, regularly performing and recording. His third solo album, Rule Of Three, was released in 2022.
Ian will take on the role of respected post-war BBC presenter Wallace Greensalde, joining a cast that includes Richard Usher (as Peter Sellers), Mark Earby (Spike Milligan) and Jimm Rennie (Harry Secombe), plus jazz composer/musician Jim Wynn.
Debuting in 1951, radio series The Goon Show introduced a string of surreal characters and made stars of its cast, revolutionising British comedy. The series originally ran until 1960, though continues to be repeated today on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Part of the long-running Birmingham Comedy Festival, the live performance marks the centenary of ‘forgotten’ West Midlands comedy writer Larry Stephens who contributed to an estimated 140 Goon Show episodes across nine years. Born in West Bromwich in 1923, Stephens also wrote for Tony Hancock (his flatmate), and hit ITV comedy The Army Game, before dying suddenly in 1959.
Two Goon Show scripts – The Seagoon Memoirs and The Moriarty Murder Mystery – written by Larry with Maurice Wiltshire, will be performed live for the first time since they were recorded for the BBC in 1958.
The evening also includes a Q&A with Larry’s biographer (and cousin), Julie Warren.
Birmingham Comedy Festival presents: The Goon Show takes place at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on Sunday 8 October 2023. For tickets/ information, see: bhamcomfest.co.uk