Children’s comic, poet and author Ian Billings has been at the forefront of children’s entertainment for over twenty years. 2007 saw the publication of three new children’s books from Macmillan and the premiere of his stand-up comedy show “Talking Pants!” at Edinburgh Festival Fringe – and now he’s bringing it to the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.

Ian describes the show – “…It’s about time stand-up comedy was open to kids and those kids could be presented with work that is both intelligent and thought-provoking. I’m bursting the balloons of the balloon-modellers and I’m smearing the faces of the face-painters – this is children’s entertainment which weaves as much thought and intellect into its work as some of the best children’s literature. And I make some really funny noises ,too….”

THINGS PEOPLE SAY ABOUT "TALKING PANTS!" ----

“Talking Pants far from Pants *****

I thought the show was funny, silly and I have never seen anything like it. I laughed at nearly every part and Ian Billings was brilliant, even though he had to do it all on his own." -

SAMMI, ROYAL HIGH PRIMARY SCHOOL.

"The feedback has been great!  My colleagues and I all thought the show was a triumph. It was extremely witty, intelligent and very, very funny.  Your material was enjoyed
by everyone on a number of levels. Thank you for participating and I sincerely hope you will come back and delight us with more wacky humour next year.

Kindest Regards (+ keep up the good work!)
Meg G S Urquahart
Arts & Events, KidsFest 2007
Community Services
East Dunbartonshire Council"

“Exuberant star!”

“A talented character actor!”

“Ridiculous thoughts brought to entertaining life!”

“Entertaining and charming!” – THE LIST

***** “Ian Billings was brilliant!” - EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS

“An engaging stage style!” – THE GUARDIAN

“The most imaginative adult I’ve ever met!” – CHARLOTTE,

THOMAS RUSSELL JUNIOR SCHOOL.

“Extremely witty, intelligent and very, very funny!” – EAST DUNBARTON KIDSFEST ‘07

"My son, who is nearly 10, thought you were amazing and wants to be just like you when he grows up. So there you go, not only do you have a fan, you are now officially a role model :-) Thank you!" - TARA, WESTON ALL SAINTS PRIMARY SCHOOL, BATH

"Blast-your-head-off kids comedy takes you on a giggle-guaranteed ride!" -CAMILLA BURROUGHS, digyorkshire.com

"I highly recommend Ian Billings as a brilliant performer. During the afternoon performance there wasn't a "dry-eye!!" - MRS.RILEY, THOMAS RUSSELL JUNIOR SCHOOL.

"From the moment he hit the stage, he had the audience gripped with his story of his disappearing belly button!", "The laughter came in ripples then waves as his stories unfolded!" - REDBRIDGE BOOK AND MEDIA FESTIVAL.

"An inspiring children's comedian and author." CLAIRE HELE, IPSWICH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.

"Hugely entertaining and extremely popular!" RIVA BARNARD, EDGE HILL JUNIOR SCHOOL.

TALKING PANTS - TOUR SCHEDULE 2008/09

7, 8, 9th March - The Glasgow Comedy Festival -                          80%

26th March -       Hull Truck Theatre -                                                SOLD OUT

25th April -          Woodford Memorial Hall -                                     SOLD OUT

                             Redbridge Book and Media Festival -               

3rd May -             Black Box Cafe, Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast  90%

10th May -           Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln Book Festival

11th May -           Wonderland,

                             The Word Festival, Aberdeen - extra show!       SOLD OUT

17th May -           Corn Exchange, Bury St.Edmunds Festival

24th May -           Petersfield Studio

30th May -           Swansea Grand Studio

31st May -           Marina Theatre, Lyme Regis

1st June -            Steynings Festival

20th June -          Humbermouth Festival

28th June -          Rotherham Book Festival

5th July -              The Lowry Salford

6th July -              Rotherham Book Festival - again!

12th July -            Canterbury Festival

13th July -            Chichester Festival

19th July -            Bedfringe '08

26th July -            Waterside Arts Centre

August -               Edinburgh Festival - The Gilded Balloon - again!

Bookings for "Ian Billings - Out of His Mind!"

7th Sept                Eastrenfrewshire

27th Sept             The Castle, Wellingborough

4th Oct                  Rotherham Open Festival

11th Oct                Ballymena Children's Festival

16/17th Oct          Eastdunbartonshire Kids Fest

18th Oct                Ilkley Festival

27th Oct                Off the Shelf

29th Oct                Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple

31st Oct                Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough

                               Petersfield School Studio (tbc)

1st Nov                  Pontadarwe Arts Centre

2nd Nov                 Buxton Opera House

8th Nov                  Broadway Theatre, Barking