Kirkpatrick's New Tour

Suffering a speciality...

Andy Kirkpatrick has been described as 'the UK's only stand-up mountaineer' and the good news for anyone who enjoys his unique mix of mountainering and comedy is that he's touring the UK this autumn with a new show, Off The Wall.

Andy's previous two shows, Psychovertical and When Hell Freezes Over have both been massive hits and the new show takes over where they left off, two years ago as Andy, as usual, ponders the question of why he climbs.

Episodes include his solo of El Capitan in Yosemite, his expedition with injured serviceman Phil Packer, a dramatic rescue from the Eiger Nordwand, where he was apparently 'saved by a plug' and a trip to number 10 Downing Street.

If you've never seen Andy live, then it's well worth making an effort to get along. He's a natural performer and often ridiculously funny even when recounting stories of being in absolutely desperate situations accompanied with stunning slides.

Don't be taken in by the comedy though, Andy's one of the toughest climbers in the UK and beyond with a slightly twisted penchant for hardship – Patagonia in winter is a favourite destination. His CV includes the first winter ascent of Mermoz in Patagonia in 2002, a solo of El Cap's notoriously hard Reticent Wall and a 15-day winter ascent of the Lafaille route on the Petit Dru.

When he's not suffering, Andy works as a film and television stunt safety advisor with credits including Tim Burton's remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp and Dalziel and Pascoe for the BBC.

He's also the author of the Boardman Tasker Prize-winning autobiographical book, Psychovertical – recommended – and has another book, provisionally titled Cold Wars, due out this October 2010 from Vertebrate Publishing.

The tour starts in Stockport on 5 October and runs through to early December with appearances in England, Scotland and Wales.

FULL TOUR SCHEDULE

OCTOBER ‘10

Tues 5              The Plaza                     STOCKPORT

Wed 6              Theatre Severn             SHREWSBURY

Thurs 7            Assembly Rooms           DERBY

Fri 8                 Town Hall Theatre        HARTLEPOOL

Sat 9                King George’s Hall        BLACKBURN

Sun 10             Venue Cymru                LLANDUDNO

Mon 11             St George’s                   BRISTOL

Thurs 14          Regent Centre              CHRISTCHURCH

Sat 16              Dragon Hall                  LONDONCOVENT GARDEN

Wed 20            Theatre Royal               WAKEFIELD