‘Boycie’ to visit The Public

John Challis, best known for playing ‘Boycie’ in hit BBC show, Only Fools and Horses, was at The Public in West Bromwich promoting his forthcoming show, ‘Only Fools and…Boycie’.

On 1 June 2013 visitors to the Black Country venue will be treated to an intimate evening with one of the nation’s greatest comedy actors.  In the one-off show the national treasure will reveal secrets from the set with stories and anecdotes from his dazzling career.  Having worked with some of the biggest names in show business, he’ll be spilling the beans about Only Fools and Horses, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Oliver Reed, George Best, Dr Who, Coronation Street and much more.

Throughout the show Challis is set to be surrounded by familiar faces, as local celebrity mask-making company, Mask-arade, will be handing out free ‘Boycie’ and ‘Marlene’ masks to audience members.  Founded in 2008 by Dean Walton, Chris O’Nyan (both from Great Barr) and Ryan Duffy, Mask-arade appeared on Dragon’s Den in 2009 and again in 2011 as ‘one that got away’.  In they sold over 250,000 Kate & William masks in the build up to the Royal Wedding, and nearly one million Royal Family masks for the Diamond Jubilee last year.

Mask-arade approached the star when they heard that he was playing a gig at The Public.  They were fans of the comedy legend and thought it would be fun to surround him with a sea of familiar faces.

Boycie, or rather John, said: “I’m currently on tour with my new show, ‘Only Fools And…Boycie’ – a bit like a chat show where I tell stories about my life in Only Fools and Horses.   I’m particularly looking forward to the date at The Public.  I saw the venue once while driving past – it’s a unique building and it should be a great night.”

The show will also celebrate the launch of the second volume of Challis’ autobiography, Being Boycie, and Mr Challis will sign copies during the interval and after his performance.

Only Fools and…Boycie will take place at The Public on Saturday 1 June 2013 at 8pm.  Tickets are £15 (£13 concessions) and are available from www.thepublic.com or by calling 0121 533 7161.