Rock With Laughter at Ragley Hall this summer

May 30 2008 By Chris Henwood

A DOUBLE dose of humour with Jasper Carrott and Lenny Henry is on the way for laughter lovers this summer.

The comics are set to shatter the tranquility of stately homes up and down England as they star in the Rock With Laughter picnic concert tour.

Ragley Hall in Alcester, Harewood House in Leeds, Elton Hall in Peterborough and Somerleyton Hall in Suffolk and will all play host to a top notch line-up of comedy and music talent in August.

Joining the pair on stage will be Jo Brand and musical delights will come from The Manfreds featuring the original pin-up singers Paul Jones and Mike d'Abo, the sultry Elkie Brooks and her band, plus The Blockheads.

Comic-singer and Buzzcocks team leader Phill Jupitus, will also be appearing, and one of the most famous of all tribute bands The Bootleg Beatles, complete with their orchestra, will be re-creating the sounds of the Fab Four.

Chris Bailey, event manager for promoters IML Concerts, said: "These will be shows with something for everyone and we are looking forward to having a good laugh with all the audience at these historic homes.

"There will be three decades of music and comedy stars on one stage on one night - surely a first for outdoor shows such picturesque settings?"

The variety-style evening is a new event on the outdoor concert schedule, but has been a roaring success when it has played to full houses at Birmingham's National Centre every December.

"With 40,000 people attending the show at the NEC last December we think it's going to be a sell-out so book early," added Mr Bailey.

The Rock With Laughter tour will be in Leeds on Friday, August 8, and Alcester the following night. The tour moves onto Peterborough for Friday, August 15, and Surrey the following night.

For more details and to buy tickets visit www.imlconcerts.co.uk