Funny Stuff

Sue Ryding is one half of legendary comedy duo LipService.

In 2022 her comedy partner Maggie Fox died and Sue was left with a shipping container full of stage props, costumes, wigs, hats, shoes, sheep, you name it.

This show looks at all the “stuff” we accumulate, hoard and hate to let go.

In this humorous and creative response to grief, Sue struggles to part with a life sized stuffed sheep, a badger onesie, some ruby slippers, a sinking bog, Charlotte Bronte’s knickers and a host of soft toys.

Touring anecdotes are combined with archive footage from LipService shows.

We follow the stories of things Sue has already given away, the wicker horse that appeared every night in an improvised panto, the vintage suitcases turned into a sculpture in Stockport, the crazy Chief Exec of the Tall Ships Festival who dresses up as a fish!

Not all the items will be making it back up the loft ladder, so the audience is invited to take something home.

Sue is aiming to end up with “the right stuff”, a small selection that captures the essence of LipService Theatre to go into a national theatre collection.