Britain's What's On Event Guide

Attention All Shipping – A Celebration of the Shipping Forecast

As the shipping forecast embarks on its second century Charlie Connelly’s hilarious and informative show brings the quirky broadcast vividly to life, celebrating what he firmly believes to be the greatest invention of the modern age.

How did a weather forecast for ships capture the hearts of a nation, from salty old sea dog to insomniac landlubber? How is it possible for ‘rain later’ to be ‘good’? And where the hell is North Utsire?

Delving into the history of the forecast and the extraordinary people who made it, Charlie explains what those curious phrases really mean, celebrates its wide cultural impact and influence on poets, musicians and writers, shares riproaring adventures from his own extraordinary journey through the 31 sea areas and presents his case for the shipping forecast being our finest achievement.

Inspired by Charlie’s bestselling book, which has sold more than a quarter-of-a-million copies, this pacy, moving and hilarious show takes you all the way from Viking to South-East Iceland and back to ensure the shipping forecast will never sound the same again.

“Charlie Connelly is one of the funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of sitting in a studio with…He has a natural wit that doesn’t get crushed by an over-zealous ego with a lovely personality attached to it.” Fi Glover, broadcaster

“Charlie is always warm, funny and engaging…I actually sent him a fan letter – and I’ve never done that to anyone in my life before.” Bernard Sumner, New Order

“I can thoroughly recommend an evening spent in the company of the very funny and very lovely Charlie Connelly whose knowledge of what I call ‘the ships’ is excellent. Sou’westers optional.” Corrie Corfield, BBC Radio 4

Age guidance 12+

Contains one reference to suicide (of a historical figure)