Actor and comedian, Ricky Tomlinson, star of the BAFTA award-winning TV series The Royle Family, will be in Galway this Sunday night,  April 7, taking part in a musical comedy that celebrates Irish culture.

Irish Annie’s is in the Town Hall Theatre as part of an eight-date Irish tour.

The show, “a celebration of Irish culture, from music to comedy”, features six-piece band The Shenanigans.

The central character is landlady Annie who is joined by her customers for comedy, music and mayhem, with original tracks written for the show by singer-songwriter Asa Murphy, alongside well-known numbers, including The Galway Shawl, I’ll Tell Me Ma, Dirty Old Town, Whiskey in the Jar and Danny Boy.

Ricky Tomlinson will be playing himself, as a celebrity guest in the pub.

The Liverpool actor and comedian is best known for playing Bobby Grant in Brookside, DCI Charlie Wise in Cracker and Jim Royle in The Royle Family. He played the title character in the film Mike Bassett: England Manager. He’s also a keen musician who plays banjo and harmonica.

He has described Irish Annie’s as “a delight to be part of, with a wonderful cast of characters and beautiful original and classic Irish music”.

The show stars Catherine Rice as Irish Annie, Asa Murphy as Seamus Murphy, Michael Alan-Bailey as Porky the Postman and Joe, Richard Barry as Noel Singen-Smithe, and Maria Lovelady as Moira the Money Lender and May.

Irish Annie’s is co-produced by Bill Elms Productions (Judy & Liza, Jerry Springer The Opera, Swan Song, Something About George) and Asa Murphy Productions (Buddy Holly Lives, The Bobby Darin Story, New Generations).

Swing singer and entertainer Asa Murphy created and directed Irish Annie’s, which premiered in Liverpool a few years ago. A successful entertainer for 18 years, he has performed all over the world and hosts a popular radio show on BBC Merseyside.

In 2019, he began writing stage musicals and in addition to Irish Annie’s, has had two other hits, Buddy Holly Lives and Mack The Knife, as well as two children’s shows.

■ Irish Annie’s is at the Town Hall Theatre this Sunday, April 7, at 8pm. Tickets at www.tht.ie, 091-569777 or the box office.

Pictured: Ricky Tomlinson plays himself in the show.