The acclaimed comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean has announced her exciting new UK tour for 2024, bringing her latest show Peacock to audiences across the country. This tour promises to combine her signature sharp wit with new, personal material as she delves into her experiences as a foster carer—a topic she hasn’t publicly explored until now.
Directed by Adam Drake, the tour will span from September to December, offering laughter, sequins, and insightful social commentary.
A new chapter in Kiri Pritchard-McLean’s comedy career
For fans of Kiri Pritchard-McLean, 2024 will be an opportunity to witness a significant shift in her comedic material. While she’s well-known for her biting humour and satire, this time she steps into the spotlight with stories about her real-life experiences as a foster parent. Over the past few years, Kiri has been juggling a busy professional life—including hosting BBC’s Live at the Apollo and the Radio 4 panel show Best Medicine—all while secretly fostering children.
“I’ve been like the Bruce Wayne of comedy,” Kiri quips, “minus the mansion.”
It wasn’t until she experienced a series of awkward performances—gigs for social workers in boardrooms—that she received the green light to share her fostering journey on stage. Now, her new show Peacock offers a humorous yet heartfelt look at social workers, the unexpected challenges of foster care, and the hilarious mishaps along the way, including what to do when a vicar searches for you on YouTube.
Fostering awareness: a central theme
Pritchard-McLean’s involvement in fostering goes beyond just a stand-up routine. Her partnership with Foster Wales, the national network of local authority fostering services, plays a pivotal role in her tour. As Alastair Cope, Head of Foster Wales, remarked,
“It’s fantastic to see Kiri positively promoting fostering during her UK tour. It will really help increase awareness of foster care and challenge false perceptions around what it takes to be a foster carer.”
The organisation has ambitious goals, aiming to recruit over 800 foster families by 2026 to provide safe homes for vulnerable children across Wales. By candidly sharing her experiences, Kiri hopes to inspire others to recognise the qualities they may have that make them ideal foster parents.
A comedic force with multiple talents
Kiri’s achievements extend far beyond stand-up. The Welsh comedian is a multi-award-winning performer, writer, and satirist. Her extensive career includes hosting appearances on popular shows such as Have I Got News For You, QI, and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Additionally, she co-hosts the cult-favourite podcast All Killa No Filla, where she and Rachel Fairburn discuss the lives of serial killers in a humorous light. The podcast has a massive following across the globe, further showcasing her range as a storyteller and entertainer.
Pritchard-McLean is also the co-host of The Pod of Wales, a comedy travel podcast she co-produces with Esyllt Sears, and Who Are You Wearing, where she talks to guests about their experiences with fashion. The podcasting world is yet another arena where Kiri’s wit and versatility shine, cementing her place as a renaissance woman in British comedy.
Making stand-up from difficult topics
The reception of Pritchard-McLean’s previous work has been nothing short of stellar, with critics praising her ability to tackle sensitive subjects with humour and grace. The Guardian described her as “making powerhouse stand-up from the thorniest of subjects,” while Rolling Stone called her “the renaissance woman of UK comedy.”
Peacock promises to continue this tradition, blending big laughs with thought-provoking social commentary. The show will be a blend of sequins, satire, and sharp observations about the reality of fostering, with Kiri using her platform to address complex issues in her trademark comedic style.
Kiri’s charity work: Pens for Kids
Kiri Pritchard-McLean has long been dedicated to charitable causes, and her Peacock tour will continue that tradition. As on previous tours, Kiri will be collecting for the Pens for Kids charity, a grassroots organisation that provides pens, pencils, and other educational supplies to children globally. By distributing these items, Pens for Kids ensures that children in disadvantaged areas have the tools they need to continue their education.
Tour dates and venues
The Peacock tour will be hitting a wide range of venues throughout the UK, giving audiences from all corners a chance to see Kiri live. Here are some key dates:
- Old Vic, Bristol – 1st September, 7:30 pm
- Georgian Theatre, Richmond – 4th September, 7:30 pm
- City Varieties, Leeds – 6th September, 7:30 pm
- Playhouse, Liverpool – 7th September, 7:30 pm
- Òran Mór, Glasgow – 8th September, 7:30 pm
- Royal Exchange, Manchester – 29th September, 7:30 pm
- Brighton Dome – 25th October, 8:00 pm
For a full list of tour dates, you can visit her official website at www.kiripritchardmclean.co.uk.
A must-see show
Kiri Pritchard-McLean’s Peacock is shaping up to be one of the standout comedy tours of 2024. With her unique ability to mix personal storytelling, social commentary, and sparkling humour, she is set to deliver a performance that resonates with fans old and new. This is a rare chance to hear the comedian speak candidly about a side of her life she has never before shared on stage, all while keeping the audience roaring with laughter.
For tickets and more information, visit your local venue’s box office or book online through their official websites. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a tour filled with sequins, satire, and endless laughter.
