ED FOSS The comedy front man for Cromer's first ever Christmas pier show was in town at the weekend, introducing himself to the media and looking for winter digs.

ED FOSS

The comedy front man for Cromer's first ever Christmas pier show was in town at the weekend, introducing himself to the media and looking for winter digs.

The Christmas Seaside Special will be similar to the long-running summer variety mix of comedy, dance and song - but with seasonal trimmings such as carols.

After nearly 30 years of the summer event, pier managers have taken into consideration the views of their regulars and the fact the pier has been recently revamped before opting to run a Christmas version.

Headlining the 35-show festive mini season will be comedian Tim Pope, who describes himself as "a stand and deliver comic" and "a straight up patter man".

A comic with 15 years' experience around the UK and in holiday resorts abroad, Tim said he would be using general material mixed with a local flavour, but the key was to respond to the crowd.

"Working to the audience is the difference between comedians who work a lot and those who don't, so I have always felt it is the key factor.

"I have not worked on a pier before, but it looks like fun."

A busy touring life means Tim has little time for many other activities, apart from golf, a game which he describes as: "Shouting fore, scoring five and writing down three".

But the comedy circuit, which he describes as "vocational", takes up most of his life.

The production process is in place for the variety show, which kicks off on December 16. It will also star musician Dick Van Winkle, the Pavilion Vocal Quartet of Laine Baird, Eddie Bushell, Eddie Dredge and Nicola Thomas, plus the Seaside Special Dancers.

Tim said the only details the producers did not have about him were his body measurements: "Which is probably a good thing because they can change daily!"

Tickets priced at £13.50 for adults, £11 for senior citizens and £6.50 for children, plus discounts for groups of 10 or more, are available from the pier box office on 01263 512495.

Performances run until January 6, with two performances on most days. There will be no performances on December 19, 25 and January 1.