Amy Gray Comedy legend Ken Dodd and TV's Jimmy Carr will be tickling the funny bones as part of an arts and entertainment event in Waveney. The internationally-acclaimed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is another high profile attraction in the 35-day cultural celebration across the district.

Amy Gray

Comedy legend Ken Dodd and TV's Jimmy Carr will be tickling the funny bones as part of an arts and entertainment event in Waveney.

The internationally-acclaimed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is another high-profile attraction in the 35-day cultural celebration across the district.

Waveney Revels, which kicks off today, is the brainchild of the district council's arts-and-heritage boss Andrew Kitchen.

Performances by the hugely popular Ken Dodd, 80, and Jimmy Carr at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft are already sell-outs.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's Spring Concert will be at the theatre on May 2.

There is a wealth of other events, including a one-man show with Sale of the Century legend Nicholas Parsons and a classic-car road run from Halesworth to Southwold.

Mr Kitchen said the Revels had grown from a madcap idea he had last summer and he hopes it will become an annual event.

"It's our way of revealing the phenomenal amount going on in Waveney. It ranges from solid community projects to big-name glitz to show how much happens in just one month," he said.

"It's high time we shout out and praise what does go on."

Events organised especially for the Revels include the Black Dog Art Trail in Bungay, which will feature original artworks of Bungay people as they go about their everyday business.

The HighTide playwriting festival will also take place during the Revels. It runs for five days from May 1 at The Cut in Halesworth.

"I'm very pleased with the scale and range of events. HighTide has moved to be part of the Revels," said Mr Kitchen. "The Marina Theatre has booked Ken Dodd and Jimmy Carr and the Fisher Theatre in Bungay has Nicholas Parsons doing a one- man show about Edward Lear."

The events, which run until May 5, are listed on the council website and will be added to throughout the month. Revel for Free provides local people and visitors with ideas for a day out that won't break the bank.

Mr Kitchen said they have also thrown down the Revels Challenge to encourage people to try something different away from their home town.

He added: "The last bank holiday weekend will be very special, with impressive ships coming into Lowestoft harbour; there are lots of big things planned."

Visit www.waveney.gov.uk/revels for events.

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