On Friday 25 April, the Quay Theatre welcomes Pub Tales, a comedy storytelling show written and performed by Chris Sainton-Clark. The award-winning production arrives in Sudbury after a successful tour in New Zealand.
Chris spent years working behind the bar in rural pubs. During that time he witnessed just about everything, from late night arguments to regulars with very colourful stories to tell. Eventually he decided those experiences deserved a stage of their own.
The result is Pub Tales, a lively mix of storytelling, music and comedy that captures the characters you might recognise from almost any local boozer.
Expect tales of the pub regular famous for outrageous lies, a drag queen who could get even the most reluctant drinker on the dance floor, and Barry, the hopeless romantic who never quite gets the girl. The stories are set to rhythmic guitar and delivered with the timing of a seasoned comic.
Chris is a Norfolk-based comedian and playwright who left his job to pursue a career in the arts. Since then he has performed at Glastonbury Festival, won 11 theatre awards, and sold out a 2025 comedy tour across New Zealand.
Pub Tales has also picked up the Prague Fringe Creative Award and received a nomination for the Brian’s Life Comedy Award.
Chris says he enjoys hearing audiences swap their own pub stories after the show.
“I love performing this show and hearing audience members share stories of their local pubs. I’m particularly excited to be performing at the Quay Theatre and returning to East Anglia after being away so long.”
Critics have been equally enthusiastic.
Artmurmurs described the show as “ingenious storytelling”, while Broadway Baby called it “charming, well-crafted, intelligent and hilarious.”
If you enjoy sharp observations, colourful characters and a good laugh, this one is worth putting in the diary.