Inimitable Hugh Laurie to Tour Australia, Musically

Often, when actors start expanding their wardrobe to include a musician hat, the world heaves a sigh. But Hugh Laurie is one of those annoying people who can do just about anything he turns his hand to. And do it so well that, having just watched an episode of House, we find ourselves jumping online, scouring YouTube for clips of him playing the blues. Or tango. Or several other forms of American music.

The excellent news is that Laurie, his many talents and the Copper Bottom Band are soon to pack their respective bags and wing themselves our way. Between April 19 and May 5, they'll be singing, playing and joking their way around Australia, making appearances at seven major cities.

Laurie was last here in 1981, but that was for a comedy show tour. "We're really excited to be coming to Australia to perform," he says. "The last time I was there was 1981, in a comedy show, and the world has changed a lot since then. I haven't though. I'm exactly the same. It's uncanny. Obviously, I'll be hoping to restore some national pride after the Ashes. If anyone throws anything at me, I'll lob up an easy catch to the balcony."

If you're a Laurie fan, you might already know that his role as Dr Gregory House has won him two Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as six Emmy nominations. He's also gained cult status for his roles in Jeeves and Wooster, A Bit of Fry and Laurie (he and Fry are old buddies from Cambridge Uni) and Blackadder.

All the while, he's been playing the blues behind the scenes. In fact, he started on the piano at the age of six. But it wasn't till 2011 that he teamed up with the Copper Bottom Band to release debut album Let Them Talk. Last year saw the launch of sophomore Didn't It Rain, which is a kind of history of the blues from New Orleans to the American heartland. Guests include soul vocalist Jean McClain and Guatemalan Gaby Moreno.

Full tour dates below.

Melbourne: Sat 19 April, Palais Theatre (Tickets through Ticketmaster)
Canberra: Tue 22 April, Royal Theatre (Tickets through Ticketek)
Adelaide: Thu 24 Apr, Thebarton Theatre (Tickets through Venuetix)
Perth: Sat 26 Apr, Concert Hall (Tickets through Ticketek)
Brisbane: Fri 2 May, Brisbane Concert Hall (Tickets through QTix)
Newcastle: Sat 3 May, Civic Theatre (Tickets through Ticketek)
Sydney: Mon 5 May, State Theatre (Tickets through Ticketmaster)