Ten-year revival for the debut show which inspired Big Boys

Jack Rooke, the creator of Channel 4 comedy-drama Big Boys, is reviving the stage show that made his name for a UK tour.

The dates mark ten years since Good Grief was first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, where the new tour will also kick off

Rooke co-wrote the original with his then-80-year-old grandmother Sicely and the revamped version includes new material. on grief, ambition and class, as well as reflections on his journey from spoken-word performer to television writer.

On revisiting the show, he said: ‘I feel immensely excited and very lucky to be bringing back my debut show that part-inspired Big Boys and potter it round the UK. 

‘Good Grief was a show purely made from the want to make something funny about grief, at a time where there was less discussion about mental  health but seemingly many more arts access opportunities. 

‘I’m excited to bring the show back for new audiences, poke fun at my current self and try to build on the conversation about how we ensure people from all backgrounds can afford a career in the arts. I promise it won't be too preachy. It might be very cringe.’

The new version – subtitled ‘a decade retrospective of capitalising on my dead dad to varied levels of failure and success’ – opens in Edinburgh on August 27 for three nights, then travels across the UK before finishing in Liverpool on October 22. A London date, which Rooke says will be his largest venue yet, is still to be announced.

 Tickets go on general sale on Friday.

Big Boys, pictured, which Rooke created and narrated, was adapted from Good Grief and a later show, Happy Hour. He won the Bafta craft award for comedy writing for the series, which ended with a third run in 2025. He has also published a book, Cheer The F**k Up, through Penguin.

The live show is directed by Gabriel Bisset-Smith.

Thursday August 27: Edinburgh McEwan Hall
Friday August 28: Edinburgh McEwan Hall
Saturday August 29: Edinburgh McEwan Hall
Thursday September 3: Oxford The North Wall Arts Centre
Friday September 4: Salford The Lowry
Saturday September 5: Salford The Lowry
Thursday September 10: Bristol Old Vic
Monday September 14: Norwich Playhouse
Wednesday September 16: Leeds City Varieties
Wednesday September 30: Glasgow Òran Mór
Thursday October 1: Newcastle Northern Stage
Tuesday October 13: Brighton & Hove The Old Market
Wednesday October 14: Brighton & Hove The Old Market
Thursday October 22: Liverpool Epstein Theatre

Published: 10 Mar 2026