kieran hodgson tour

Kieran Hodgson announces Big In Scotland tour

Tuesday 25th April 2023, 10:30am

• Kieran Hodgson 's new live show is about "being a not-quite immigrant in a not-quite different country"
• Big In Scotland will start in Edinburgh in August and then tour the UK until April 2024
• "There's a song and maybe a tartan jacket, depending on how hot the venue is"

Two Doors Down star Kieran Hodgson has announced Big In Scotland , a new live show that will start at in Edinburgh in August and then tour until April 2024 .

"The phenomenal Kieran Hodgson is set to return to the stage this August, with a full run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe , followed by a national tour, kicking off at the Soho Theatre from September with his highly anticipated new show. " Big In Scotland is the story of being a not-quite immigrant in a not-quite different country. It's a journey of discovery and belonging, as Kieran's Anglo-centric view of the UK is challenged and destroyed by a cast of Scottish characters, and as Kieran himself builds a new life for himself that he could have never imagined.

" Kieran Hodgson had a plan. It was to be one of those London people: wandering the streets of Chelsea, Tottenham and Leyton Orient, doing guest roles on Radio 4 sitcoms alongside Nigel Havers , and laughing scornfully at the provinces. But was this really the route to Kieran's happiness? Is it anyone's?

"Then everything changed: in 2020 Kieran moved to Scotland because of his husband's job, plunging a world still in shock from the Pandemic into further confusion. Who would Kieran be in this strange new land? Could he become someone totally different - better, even? Was he now obliged to give ill-informed opinions about independence to English members of his family? What was the difference between a stooshie and a rammy, and could Kieran discover it in time not to make an idiot of himself while trying to make new Scottish friends?

"At a time when numerous obituaries for the United Kingdom are being written, Big In Scotland takes a look at the non-newsy aspects of the England-Scotland relationship and makes the political both personal and daft. Kieran learns Gaelic (a bit), climbs Munros (a few), ends up starring in a Scottish sitcom (not really starring as he's a secondary character). He meets Prime Ministers and panto stars, Weegies and Walter Scott. He asks himself and the people of his new home whether he belongs, though it turns out the answer is perhaps less important than how you ask the question.

"There's a song and maybe a tartan jacket, depending on how hot the venue is."

Born and raised in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, Hodgson has "strip-mined his formative years" to create the acclaimed live shows Lance ( 2015 ), Maestro ( 2016 ) and '75 ( 2018 ), all three of which were nominated for Best Comedy Show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Big In Scotland will run at the Pleasance Courtyard (Forth room) from 2nd to 27th August, before heading out on tour:

11th - 23rd Sept (not 17th) - London - Soho Theatre - Downstairs

Weds 27th Sept - Kendal - Brewery Arts

Thurs 28th Sept - Carlisle - Old Fire Station

Fri 29th Sept - Liverpool - Royal Court

Sat 30th Sept - Aberystwyth Comedy Festival

Sun 1st Oct - Salford - The Lowry

Weds 4th Oct - Bradford - Alhambra Studio

Thurs 5th Oct - York - Theatre@41

Fri 6th Oct - Selby - Town Hall

Sat 7th Oct - Newcastle - The Stand

Sun 8th Oct - Coventry - Warwick Arts Centre

Weds 11th Oct - Belfast - MAC

Thurs 12th Oct - Reading - South Street Arts Centre

Fri 13th Oct - Oxford - North Wall Arts Centre

Sat 14th Oct - Bath - Rondo Theatre

Sun 15th Oct - Brighton - Komedia

Weds 18th Oct - Norwich - Playhouse

Thurs 26th Oct - St Andrew's - Byre Theatre

Weds 1st Nov - Chorley - Chorley Theatre

Thurs 2nd Now - Glasgow - The Stand

Fri 3rd Nov - Perth - Perth Theatre

Sun 5th Nov - Aberdeen - Lemon Tree

Wed 21st Feb - Leicester Comedy Festival - Firebug

Thurs 21st March - Shetland - Shetland Arts

Sat 23rd March - Melrose - Corn Exchange

Thurs 28th March - Inverness - Eden Court

Fri 29th March - Skye - SEALL

Thurs 4th April - Exeter - Phoenix Arts

Fri 5th April - Bristol - Wardrobe Theatre

Sat 6th April - Cambridge - Junction

Share this page

Donate to british comedy guide.

Join us in our mission to support and promote British comedy across the decades.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Get all the latest news and information in your inbox, with our range of email newsletters to meet all interests.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Kieran Hodgson: Big in Scotland review – fun show has its Dundee cake and eats it

Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh After moving to Glasgow, the Yorkshire standup dreams of reinventing himself as a Scotsman – but will faking an accent and ordering vegan haggis be enough?

T he arrival of a new Kieran Hodgson set can’t fail to excite fringe-goers: his three nerdy, intensely funny shows in the late 2010s (on cycling , classical music and Britain’s relationship with Europe) were each rightly nominated for the Edinburgh comedy award. This year’s return is particularly mouthwatering for we north Britons, as the Yorkshireman turned soft southerner addresses Anglo-Scottish relations and his move to Glasgow, where, as an actor in the sitcom Two Doors Down , he has lived since 2020. If that sounds tailor-made to titillate Edinburgh crowds – well, Hodgson does not disappoint.

From its introduction onwards, it’s a show that delights in teasing its audiences, English and Scottish both, and in having its (Dundee) cake and eating it. In a heavy Scottish accent, Hodgson voices concerns about Englishmen aping Scottish accents. National stereotypes are undermined – but also zeroed in on for laughs, as with a fantasy musical sequence that finds immigrant Kieran welcomed tae Glesga by the kitsch music-hall star Harry Lauder . But, cheerfully wise to the shoogliness of the endeavour, Hodgson keeps both plates spinning: the dream of reinventing himself as Scottish, and the acknowledgment that “Scottish” is a complicated category.

For all that Hodgson dismisses his earlier shows as so many “facts and figures and silly voices from years gone by”, Big in Scotland is cut from similar cloth, and has similar (minor) weaknesses. As with his (pre-)Brexit show ’75 , there’s a framing device (this time about a best man’s speech gone wrong) that strives for emotional significance. It’s fun enough, but feels a bit strenuous, and manoeuvres our host towards some overdetermined learning as Big in Scotland reaches its conclusion.

Even if the effort is futile to tie up Anglo-Scottish relations in a neat, hour-long narrative knot, we’re usually laughing too hard to care. Whether he’s learning Gaelic, offending his co-stars with loose opinions on Scottish independence or ordering vegan haggis in a Highland pub, Hodgson comes armed with limitless pert observations about his new countryfolk, a diverting array of vocal caricatures and jokes within self-abasing jokes about his failure to assimilate. For a show that’s sure to be – deservedly – Big in Edinburgh, look no further.

At the Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, until 27 August

• Edinburgh festival 2023
• Edinburgh festival
• Pleasance (Stage)
• Comedy (Stage)
• Comedy (Culture)

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

Kieran Hodgson

Stand-up and character comedian and scriptwriter Kieran Hodgson was nominated for Best Show at the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2015. Kieran has more...

Follow Kieran Hodgson on Ents24 to receive updates on any new tour dates the moment they are announced...

• Be the first to know about new tour dates
• Alerts are free and always will be
• We hate spam and will never share your email address with anyone else
• More than a million fans already rely on Ents24 to follow their favourite artists and venues

Fans who like Kieran Hodgson also like

Joseph Morpurgo

Jordan Brookes

Glasgow International Comedy Festival

• What’s On
• Buy tickets
• Festival Guide 2024
• Festival Info
• Latest News

Kieran Hodgson: Big In Scotland

King's theatre, glasgow.

Star of Two Doors Down, Kieran Hodgson brings his critically acclaimed, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated show Big In Scotland to the historic King’s Theatre, following a sold out Glasgow performance in the autumn.

In 2020, the world changed forever, as four-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Kieran Hodgson moved to Scotland. Now he’s commuting five minutes down the road to the King’s to tell you how it’s working out (spoiler: he’s still here).

Nominee – Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award 2023

“Hilariously and thoughtfully written… A brilliant success” The National

“As wise, funny and endearingly virtuosic as anything he has done” ★★★★ The Times

“Penetrating insight and laughs galore” ★★★★ The List

“One of the most talented comedians of his generation” ★★★★★ Broadway World

★★★★ The Guardian

★★★★ Time Out

★★★★ Telegraph

Subscribe for latest news

By subscribing, you consent to opt-in to receive news and updates from Glasgow International Comedy Festival. We will send you occasional emails about promotions, new shows and important updates to keep you in the loop. By clicking Subscribe you acknowledge the information you provide will be processed for these purposes.

London’s most vibrant producer of new theatre, comedy and cabaret.

On stage. on tour. online, kieran hodgson: big in scotland.

‘Kieran Hodgson proves yet again that he is one of the best to ever perform at the Fringe’ ★★★★★ Broadway World

Now he’s travelling around the still-just-about United Kingdom to tell you how it’s working out. For him and for the Scots.

You might remember Kieran as that guy from the BBC’s Two Doors Down (he’s Gordon), the Bad TV Impressions viral videos of The Crown and Happy Valley , and three Channel 4 specials. If you don’t remember him, no worries. We all have busy lives.

NOMINEE: Best Show – Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023

Loved the show? Wanna see more?

This show has now passed, but we have a full festival programme of comedy, theatre and cabaret throughout the year. Check out what's on now to find more great shows coming up.

'A delight to watch... Every line is wired for laughter' Guardian

'Structure and delivery that puts most other shows to shame' Telegraph

'Ravishingly entertaining, full of insight and plenty of laughs' Times

'Outstanding throughout' Beyond The Joke

You might also like...

Paddy young: hungry, horny, scared.

Sign in to your Soho Theatre On Demand account to watch this show

To see show recommendations, sign up or log in:

Have an account, new account, priority booking.

Booking is now open to supporters, join or log in to book.

Booking is now open to supporters.

Whoops! Looks like you haven’t selected any preferences for your recommended shows.

Please select from the options below:

Privacy Overview

His Majesty's Theatre

Our Festivals

• His Majesty’s Theatre
• Eat and Drink
• Become a Friend
• Take a Seat
• Our Environment
• Gift Vouchers
• Freedom of Information
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Creating a Spark
• Work With Us

Kieran Hodgson: Big In Scotland

In 2020, the world changed forever, as three time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Kieran Hodgson moved to Scotland. Now he’s travelling around the still-just-about United Kingdom to tell you how it’s working out. For him and for the Scots.

You might remember Kieran as that guy from the BBC’s ‘Two Doors Down’ (he’s Gordon), the ‘Bad TV Impressions’ viral videos of ‘The Crown’ and ‘Happy Valley’, and three Channel 4 specials. If you don’t remember him, no worries. We all have busy lives.

“A delight to watch… every line is wired for laughter” ★★★★★ The Guardian

“Structure and delivery that puts most other shows to shame” ★★★★★ The Telegraph

“Ravishingly entertaining, full of insight and plenty of laughs” ★★★★ The Times

“Rich, thoughtful but belly-laugh stuff… a hugely accomplished storyteller” ★★★★ The Scotsman

★★★★ TimeOut

★★★★ The Sunday Times

★★★★ Independent

★★★★ Chortle

Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show Nominee 2015, 2016, 2018.

We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience of our website. Learn about how we use them .

Website by Substrakt

Perth Concert Hall

Browse by show type, what's coming up, kieran hodgson: big in scotland.

Kieran is a 4-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, star of 3 Channel 4 specials and the viral Bad TV Impressions YouTube series.

You might be interested in...

Kieran Hodgson: Big in Scotland

Presented by berk's nest.

Thu 12 Oct, 20:00

Fresh from a critically acclaimed, sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run and a fourth nomination for Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Kieran Hodgson takes his brand new, unmissable hour Big In Scotland on tour across the UK.

In 2020, the world changed forever, as Kieran Hodgson moved to Scotland. Now he’s travelling around the still-just-about United Kingdom to tell you how it’s working out. For him and for the Scots.

You might remember Kieran as that guy from the BBC’s Two Doors Down (he’s Gordon), the ‘Bad TV Impressions’ viral videos of The Crown and Happy Valley , and three Channel 4 specials. If you don’t remember him, no worries. We all have busy lives.

“As wise, funny and endearingly virtuosic as anything he has done” ★★★★ The Times

★★★★ The Guardian

★★★★ The Telegraph

★★★★ Time Out

★★★★★ Broadway World

★★★★★ Beyond the Joke

Running time: 20 mins / interval / 65 mins approx. Age guidance: 16+

“A delight to watch... every line is wired for laughter” The Guardian

“Structure and delivery that puts most other shows to shame” The Telegraph

“Ravishingly entertaining, full of insight and plenty of laughs” The Times

This event has already taken place.

Ticket info

21 South Street Reading Berks RG1 4QU United Kingdom

Share this page

Bridget Christie: Who Am I?

Paul Foot: Dissolve

Stephen K Amos: Oxymoron*

An Evening Without Kate Bush

• This weekend

Activities & Classes

Looking for something to do, rather than something to see? We've got all manner of classes and workshops , plus  games, escape rooms and other interactive activities . There's something for everyone, from dance, to arts and crafts, to food and drink and the odd bit of geekery, too!

Low-Impact Jazz

Dee Craft and Natter Group

Escape Reading adventure rooms

Kieran Hodgson: Big in Scotland

Back by popular demand following a sell-out show in October, Kieran Hodgson returns to The North Wall with his Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated show, Big In Scotland .

In 2020, the world changed forever, as Kieran Hodgson moved to Scotland. Now he’s travelling around the still-just-about United Kingdom to tell you how it’s working out. For him and for the Scots.

You might remember Kieran as that guy from the BBC’s Two Doors Down (he’s Gordon), the Bad TV Impressions viral videos of The Crown and Happy Valley , and three Channel 4 specials. If you don’t remember him, no worries. We all have busy lives.

Age guidance: 14+

"Hodgson does not disappoint"

"Hilariously and thoughtfully written"

“As wise, funny and endearingly virtuosic as anything he has done”

"A show that you just have to see"

We send emails once a week and promise not to share your details with third parties. Read our policy here.

The HYMN World Tour is Coming to Moscow!

The HYMN World Tour is coming to Crocus City Hall in the exciting city of Moscow, Russia on October 29th!

Moscow is also home to the Moscow Kremlin, a fortified complex in the center of the city overlooking the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west. It is the best known of the Russian citadels and includes five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

Tickets and VIP packages to all announced shows on the HYMN tour are available. More dates to be announced soon! https://sarahbrightman.com/tours