After Dinner Speakers: Barry Cryer, Nicholas Negroponte, Mark McCormack

Barry was born in Leeds and educated first at Leeds Grammar School before going on to Leeds University. His theatrical interests took off whilst appearing in a university revue and he was offered work at the City Varieties Theatre which was for many years, home to the famous series The Good Old Days, a show Barry was to appear in on numerous occasions and which was to lead to a host of job offers in variety. He began writing for revues at the Fortune Theatre London which resulted in him scripting for nightclub shows for Danny La Rue. During his thirteen year association with Danny, Barry met David Frost who invited him to join The Frost Report Team at the BBC. One show from the series won the much coveted Golden Rose of Montreux Festival Award. Barry has also been associated with Silver and Bronze winning awards at the Festival. Subsequently, he went on to write for many of Britain’s finest comedians such as Morecombe and Wise, Dave Allen, Tommy Cooper, Mike Yarwood, Frankie Howerd, Ronnie Corbett, Les Dawson, and the Carry On Team to name but a few, winning copious awards along the way. As a performer his credits include appearances on Blankety Blank, Jokers Wild, Crosswits, Hello Cheeky, Give us a Clue, The Detectives, Punchline, What’s My Line, Countdown, The Frost Report and has been the subject of This Is Your Life all on television. On Radio, his credits include Cryer’s Crackers, Stand Up and the award winning I’m Sorry I haven’t A Clue. His autobiography ‘ You Won’t Believe This But….’ Was published in 1998 with Barry performing extracts on radio 4 to great acclaim. In 1993 Barry toured UK theatres in his one man show, which still delights audiences today under the new title The First Farewell Tour. The same year also saw Barry playing Louis Blore/King of France in the Cole Porter musical Du Barry Was A Lady at the Barbican. A hugely successful theatre tour with Willie Rushton in the mid 90s entitled Two Old Farts in The Night was brought to an abrupt end with Willie’s untimely death in 1996, however, Barry recently enjoyed success in another theatre venture, this time in London’s West End with Ned Sherrin’s production of A Saint She Ain’t playing the role of Snavley T. Bogle With his wealth of wit and wisdom, it is hardly surprising that Barry is one of the country’s most sort after and popular after dinner speakers. He has spoken at numerous tribute dinners for such performers as Gene Kelly, Tommy Steele Frankie Howerd and Harry Secombe in addition to entertaining at an equally large number of corporate events for such companies as British Leyland, British Telecom, Fiat, ITV Advertisers and the Institute of Bankers. He has presided over hundreds of Award ceremonies and spoken before the Prince and Princess of Wales as well as sharing speaking duties with the Duke of Edinburgh. He regularly addresses large audiences in London and the provinces for the Variety Club, Lords Taverners and International celebrations. Barry is guaranteed to provide an evening of success and delight with his expert comedy, speaking and entertainment skills.