Ken Campbell's History Of Comedy, Part One: Ventriloquism

That is not the full title, as Ken takes the trouble to point out. The complete version incorporates the opening epigram from Jack London's Call Of The Wild and finally, A Love Story In The Form Of A Sermon.

His story telling is similarly detailed and full of strange and humorous twists and turns. This show is no ventriloquist act but an insight into ventriloquism, present and past, with stories of the "great ventriloquists of today", the Eskimo and Maoris, and the skill of gastromancy (the sooth-saying divination of sounds from the belly in ancient Egypt).

Howling dogs, a Pharaoh, a pygmy jester and many more besides take their place in Campbell's stories. So prepare to learn everything you never expected to know about the art of stomach speaking.

"We don't really have any ventriloquists any more over here, where it's a lost art, but in America it's still celebrated and treasured; there must be 1,000 ventriloquists there," says Ken, whose show is likely to leave his audience open mouthed.

For tickets, ring 01904 623568.