THE SHOCK OF THE OLD

Hilarious new one-man show takes on one of the great challenges of our time – growing old with style

Age is having a moment, according to the songwriter and author Terence Blacker, who is now touring his new one man show The Shock of the Old. Getting old in the 21st century is more complicated than it has ever been, he believes - a fact he celebrates with guitar, ukulele, songs and stories in his funny and irreverent new show.

‘The generation who once sang that they hoped they’d die before they get old now really is old,’ Terence Blacker explains. ‘They’ve started a new revolution – about how we behave and how we are treated as we hit 65, 70 and beyond. Some people love this new kind of ageing and quite a few don’t, but it’s happening and it’s worth singing about.’

Terence has been telling stories for adults and children for most of his working life. His last CD Playing For Time was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the top 100 albums of 2020 and his songs have been described by Gyles Brandreth as ‘witty, wistful, fresh, funny, fabulous.’ The journalist and comedian Virginia Ironside has welcomed The Shock of the Old as ‘a bittersweet, life-affirming show full of humour and terrific songs, giving two fingers up to old age.’

The inspiration for the show was personal, Terence says. ‘I had always thought reaching my sixties and seventies would be straightforward but for me it turned out to be an emotional roller-coaster. Then I found out that, talking to people of my generation, I wasn’t alone. Ideas about age are going through a big change – and that can be funny, challenging and sometimes downright weird for those who are in the thick of it.’

The result of that journey is The Shock of the Old, a hilarious, spirit-lifting celebration of the
art of not taking age lying down - about being, in the words of one of Terence's songs, 'not quite done'.

The Shock of the Old is written and performed by Terence Blacker, with a little directorial
help from the wonderful Dillie Keane.

Tour Dates 2022/2023
Thursday 29th September| CHORLEY, Chorley Theatre| 01257 264362 / www.chorleytheatre.com
Friday 7th October LICHFIELD| Lichfield Garrick| 01543 412121 / www.lichfieldgarrick.com
Saturday 15th October SWINDON| Swindon Arts Centre| 0343 310 0040 / www.swindontheatres.co.uk
Thursday 9th February 2023| BATH Rondo Theatre| 0333 666 3366 / www.rondotheatre.co.uk

Reviews

The Shock of the Old:

‘Melodic, funny, and with a touch of melancholy, Terence Blacker’s Shock of the Old blends
sharp, knowing comedy with cracking tunes. You’re in for a treat.’
Craig Brown, Satirist

Previous shows and albums:

'We need cheering up right now and this singer-songwriter, sometimes tender, sometimes
sardonic, is just the ticket.' Sunday Times

'Put a big smile on my face.' Tom Robinson, BBC6 Music

‘If you enjoy George Brassens, Tom Lehrer and Jake Thackray, this is for you.' Folk London

'Sharp rhymes, excellent lyrics and self-deprecating humour... a consummate crowd-pleasing
performer - brilliant.' Northern Sky Magazine

Terence Blacker  www.terenceblacker.com @TerenceBlacker TerenceBlackerMusic

Terence Blacker is a performer, songwriter, columnist, blogger and award-winning author. As a musician, he has performed across the UK, in Europe and in New Zealand. He took his one-man show My Village and Other Aliens to the Edinburgh Fringe. His most recent album Playing For Time was selected by the Sunday Times in its Top 100 Albums of 2020.

As an author and broadcaster, Terence has written five novels, award-winning fiction for children and has been a weekly columnist for the Independent and the Sunday Times. He wrote and presented Taboo-Be-Do!, a two-part documentary for BBC Radio 4 on the history of politically incorrect songs and is a regular contributor to arts programmes.

For more information about Terence Blacker and The Shock of the Old, please contact
Catherine Brown [email protected] 07817 938328