Bill Bailey returns with 'Vaudevillean', a show of comedy, songs and musical skills celebrating the tradition of Vaudeville.
Bill Bailey is playing Utilita Arena Sheffield on Wednesday 2 December, with the show starting at 6:30pm. It's a stand-up night, but that's a bit of a simplification — Bailey has built his whole thing on blending comedy and music, and this show is no different. He'll be on stage with several instruments, switching between them throughout the set, so you'll hear him playing as much as you'll hear him talking.
The whole evening is built around the tradition of Vaudeville, which he describes as the prime-time entertainment of its day: a celebration of comedy, songs and multifarious skills, with tales of showbiz, the city and the unusual, aimed at amusing and amassing a broad audience. He presents himself as a versatile multi-instrumentalist and multi-lingual performer, a 'modern Vaudevillean' who brings that old-school variety format into the present. It's a good way to frame what he does, because it explains why the night jumps between stand-up, songs and musical bits rather than sticking to one or the other.
If you've only known him from television, this is a good place to see how the two sides of his act fit together. He's as much a musician as he is a comedian, and the instruments aren't just props — they're a proper part of the show. The Vaudeville angle means you'll get a mix of things: the comedy, the music, and those odd, specific stories he's known for, all running side by side.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Sheffield and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
It's Utilita Arena Sheffield on Broughton Lane, S9 2DF, on Wednesday 2 December, starting at 6:30pm.
