CANADIAN comedy export Tom Stade – perhaps better known as “the meat van man” – comes to the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday.

The Swindon date is part of a nationwide tour which started at the beginning of the month, and which is proving so popular that 46 extra dates have been added.

His memories and observations cover everything from his famous meat van man sketch to the wonders of Primark, not to mention the similarities between these two institutions.

First performed at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Tom Stade Live: What Year Was That? is billed as “... a rich, comedic experience delivered expertly from this charming, handsome and unflappable comedian.”

As with his earlier visits to the Fringe, the show won plenty of acclaim.

One critic wrote: “Tom Stade is so cool he could well be the answer to global warming. He uses gentle bemusement and innocent amazement as powerful comedy tools... gloriously funny silly and smart. He has a gift of making his audience feel like friends... clever and funny.”

Another said: “Tom Stade is a great comic... a bygone youth and moving from living by his own rules to adapting to family life.”

Tom’s television career began with a one-hour special, Stade And Confused, in his home country, while in this country his credits include Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Stand-up For The Week, Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live and Dave’s One Night Stand.

He has headlined everywhere from New York to Johannesburg, as well as entertaining troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Falklands. Fellow comic Rhod Gilbert described him as “...wonderfully imaginative, original and hilarious.”

His Wyvern show starts at 8pm, and tickets cost £16. It is also part of the Wyvern’s Hellfire Curry special offer, where you can enjoy an Indian buffet and a beer for £10, from 6pm. Further information is available on 01793 524481 and at www.wyverntheatre.org.uk.

– BARRIE HUDSON