Hugh Laurie: First Australian Tour

For the first time, Hugh Laurie brings his band, the Copper Bottom Band, for a major tour of Australia inApril-May 2014. In a series of live shows, Laurie performs an eclectic mix of blues, tango, Southern and South American music, delivered with his inimitable, sharpBritish humour.

"We're really excited to be coming to Australia to perform. The last time I was there was 1981, in a comedy show, and the world has changed a lot since then. I haven't though. I'm exactly the same. It's uncanny. Obviously, I'll be hoping to restore some national pride after the Ashes. If anyone throws anything at me, I’ll lob up an easy catch to the balcony.” Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie is arguably best known for his performance in the TV series House as Dr Gregory House, which earned him two Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards and six Emmy Award nominations. This follows Laurie’s cult roles inJeeves and Wooster and A Bit of Fry and Laurie with Cambridge University friend and long-time comic partner Stephen Fry, Blackadder, as well as numerous Hollywood feature films (Stuart Little, 101 Dalmations, Monsters Vs Aliens).

As his acting career has prospered, Laurie has gone on to enjoy a successful career playing the blues music he loves. Playing the piano since age six, he was bit hard by the blues bug after hearing a song by Willie Dixon on the radio. As a pianist and vocalist, Laurie teamed up with the Copper Bottom Band, releasing debut album Let Them Talk in 2011 and triumphant second album, Didn’t It Rain, in 2013.

Didn’t It Rain, produced by Joe Henry, sees Hugh Laurie follow the trajectory of the blues from New Orleans upstream and into the American heartland. The album reflects a breadth of generations, including songs dating back to early pioneers W C Handy (“St Louis. Blues”) and Jelly Roll Morton (“I Hate A Man Like You”) to contemporary artists such as Dr John (“Wild Honey”) and Alan Price of The Animals (“Changes”), and also features vocal performances from Guatemalan singer Gaby Moreno and soul singer Jean McClain.

Melbourne Sat 19 Apr, Palais Theatre ŸTicketmaster bookings: 136 100ticketmaster.com.au

Canberra Tue 22 Apr, Royal Theatre ŸTicketek bookings: 132 849 ticketek.com.au

Adelaide Thu 24 Apr, Thebarton Theatre ŸVenuetix bookings: 08 8225 8888 venuetix.com.au

Perth Sat 26 Apr, Concert Hall ŸTicketek bookings: 1300 795 012 ticketek.com.au

Brisbane Fri 2 May, Brisbane Concert Hall ŸQTIX bookings: 136 246 qpac.com.au

Newcastle Sat 3 May, Civic Theatre ŸTicketek bookings: 02 4929 1977 ticketek.com.au

Sydney Mon 5 May, State Theatre ŸTicketmaster bookings: 136 100 ticketmaster.com.au