Legendary cricket commentator & broadcaster, Henry Blofeld OBE, shares tales from an amazing career when he bowls into Halifax on Thursday 14 September
Known as Blowers to his fans, Henry will be reflecting on a truly extraordinary life in his show My Dear Old Things. There are hilarious tales of Johnners, Arlott and other larger-than-life characters in the box and on tour with England.
Henry will share tales of treasured moments and people, past and present, while looking ever forward to more fun and games as he returns to the crease.
In cricketing terms, Covid’s reign stopped play for a couple of seasons. Whilst Blowers would have usually knocked off a century of theatre shows, appeared on numerous TV programmes and regaled folk with his hilarious anecdotes at functions up and down our green and pleasant land, he used his time wisely.
During Covid and being confined to the pavilion gave Henry the opportunity to spend more time with loved ones; to reconnect with his Norfolk roots and to reflect on his truly extraordinary life. Not one to idle away the time, he wrote two books, the latest, Ten to Win, was published in September 2021 and his book, Over and Out, was shortlisted for Cricket Book of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards. He recorded a daily vodcast for the 2021 tests and made a 90-minute film for streaming called, At Home With Henry. In these charming, honest and hilarious pieces, he shared reminiscences, cricketing memorabilia and life over the generations on the family estate.
Henry said: Henry said: “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be getting back on stage this Autumn. The show will be a lively mixture of my time with Test Match Special, as well as great stories involving me and some very well-known people, such as Ian Fleming and Noel Coward. Miss Moneypenny, Blofeld and Bond are all here! There will also be anecdotes from various TV shows that I have been on. Join me for a humorous walk through my life and career.”
Producer Simon Fielder added: “It’s rare that one gets the opportunity to sit in the armchair opposite a national treasure and be regaled with eye-popping anecdotes at such close quarters. Working with Blowers on At Home With Henry was enormous fun. Hearing his tall tales of incredible scrapes, Jamaican nights with Noel Coward and Ian Fleming and his wonderful impressions of TMS commentators I had listened to from boyhood were an absolute joy. Henry is a master entertainer with the energy of a man half his age. His shows in 2022 were an absolute joy and I am really looking forward to taking him and his wealth of hilarious stories on the road again this Autumn. Audiences are in for a real treat.”
One of Henry’s great gifts is to engage the cricket connoisseur and those who know nothing about the game alike with his enchanting personality, warmth and humour. My Dear Old Things, is an absolute treat for the cricket connoisseur and a wonderfully engaging evening for all.
The event is being run in aid of the charity, Chance to Shine, who aim to give all children the opportunity to play, learn and develop through cricket, you can find out more about them at www.chancetoshine.org
An Evening with Henry Blofeld at the Victoria Theatre Halifax on Thursday 14 September.
