FOLLOWING a hugely successful tour in 2012, Reasons to be Cheerful comes to Nuffield Southampton Theatres next week for what promises to be a raucous time celebrating the infectious and enduring music of Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

Part gig, part play, Reasons to be Cheerful features a catalogue of the band’s hits, including the disability rights anthem Spasticus Autisticus, which was performed by the cast at the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, as well as stone-cold classic songs like Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick and Reasons to be Cheerful, brought to life by an inclusive cast of 15 actors and musicians.

The show, A Graeae Theatre Company production in association with Belgrade Theatre Coventry, will also include a new song written exclusively for Reasons to be Cheerful by members of The Blockheads and Graeae performer John Kelly called If It Can’t Be Right Then it Must be Wrong – a rallying cry against the current government cuts, specifically the austerity and cuts directed at the d/Deaf and disabled community in the UK and the systematic disintegration of the NHS and the Welfare State.

The parallels with the show’s 1979 setting are clear...

It is 1979. Labour has just lost the general election to the Tories. Strikes rock the nation and Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3) is climbing the charts.

Die-hard fans Vinnie and Colin are on a mission to see Ian Dury and the Blockheads play Hammersmith Odeon. With no tickets to a sold-out gig, their journey throws more at them than they could have ever expected...

The show, which runs from September 26-30, features British Sign Language, audio description and creative captioning.

Tickets are available from the Box Office 023 8067 1771.