Sandi Toksvig live – this weekend at Queen Elizabeth Hall

Sandi Toksvig – comedian, novelist, actor, broadcaster, show-off and international treasure – is embarking on her first major UK solo tour in years to celebrate the publication of her new novel ‘Valentine Grey’. Southbank Centre is lucky enough to be welcoming Sandi back to the Queen Elizabeth Hall this bank-holiday weekend on Saturday 25 August for one night only.

Having been a long-standing host of BBC Radio Four’s ‘News Quiz’ and ‘Excess Baggage’ and regular ‘QI’ panellist, Sandi presents a brand new, uniquely witty evening of stand-up, stories and fascinating facts.

Sandi will also be signing copies of her new book ‘Valentine Grey’ after the show in the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer.

This week, Sandi has been at the Edinburgh Fringe performing the show. Here are a few pieces to whet your appetite ahead of Saturday’s show:

Sandi Toksvig on why the Fringe is great
‘The flat we rented which was so large we played golf in the hall.’ Read more here.

Five-minute festival: Sandi Toksvig’s guide to the Fringe.
What did you do 34 years ago at the Fringe?
The terrible thing is, I don’t remember. I know I was 20 years old, and I know it was a sketch show. It was in the basement of a church, and there were many pillars between the stage and the audience. Which would have been dreadful had the audience turned up. But they didn’t, which was good. Read more here.

Sandi Toksvig comes to Fringe with live show My Valentine
You write everything from kids to adult fiction, as well as an array of non-fiction. What inspires you?
I love writing. I think about who I’m writing for and I just do it. I’ve been inspired by the comments of a 12 year old girl, my own son, or just bits of history that inspire me. Different people and things inspire me: that’s how it should be I think to keep it interesting. My latest book, Valentine Grey[which inspired Toksvig’s latest tour] was inspired by a plaque in a church. Everything starts from something and then you just allow yourself to dive into another world. Read more here. 

Catch Sandi Toksvig Live! – My Valentine on Saturday 25 August at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Get tickets here.

Inua Ellams – staging a production outdoors

Catch Inua Ellams’ Knight Watch as part of Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre on Sunday 22 July. Get tickets here. 

Take a look at the full Africa Utopia listings 1 – 28 July. 

Listen to an extract of Knight Watch: Inua Ellams’ new show

Here’s a sneak preview of Inua Ellams in his new show about the destruction of a city with live music by Zashiki Warashi Drum and Flute duo (Akinori Fujimoto and Mikey Kirkpatrick).

Catch Inua Ellams’ Knight Watch as part of Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre on Sunday 22 July. Get tickets here. 

Take a look at the full Africa Utopia listings 1 – 28 July. 

Inua Ellams talks about his new show – Knight Watch

Inua Ellams, ‘London’s hottest new spoken word talent’ (The Times) and the man behind the smash-hit successes The 14th Tale and Black T-shirt Collection is back with his new show, Knight Watch. 

We’re pleased to be welcoming Knight Watch to Southbank Centre as part of our Africa Utopia festival in July 2012.

Here’s an interview with Inua in the rehearsal room.

 

Catch Inua Ellams’ Knight Watch as part of Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre on Sunday 22 July. Get tickets here. 

Take a look at the full Africa Utopia listings 1 – 28 July.