London comedian, speaker, performer and author Em Stroud brought an evening of joy and laughter to Nottingham last week as she performed her hit one-woman show, The Em Show: Tales from a Little Laughing Lesbian, for staff of Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire and their supporters.
The special charity performance, which took place on 28th October at Nottingham Arts Theatre, saw Em donate her time and talent entirely for free to an audience of staff, volunteers and supporters of Age UK Notts to thank them for vital the work they do to support older people across the county.
Em first connected with Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire when she was invited to speak at the charity’s annual staff conference last year. With the organisation now largely working from home and in the community, this event provided a great opportunity to bring the team together.
Heather Griffin, Fundraising Relationships Coordinator, Age UK Notts, said:
Em’s uplifting, honest and humorous keynote on joy, self-kindness and the power of laughter made a lasting impact on staff, volunteers and leadership alike. Many still talk about the session, reflecting on how her message resonated both professionally and personally, offering meaningful insights that they could take away into their work and home lives. Since then, the relationship has continued to grow and her ability to spark joy, reflection and human connection has made her an important part of Age UK Notts’ culture-building efforts, reminding everyone of the value of humour and humanity in the work they do every day.”Quotes – Em Stoud Gig
Deeply moved by the response to the staff conference and the vital work that Age UK Notts carries out to support older people across the county, Em offered to donate a live performance as a “thank you” to staff, volunteers and supporters. Age UK Nott provinces essential services, including companionship, community activities, home support and life-changing interventions for older people facing loneliness, isolation and hardship in Nottinghamshire, which has a 4.5 % higher than national average older population.
The latest instalment in a trilogy of shows inspired by Em’s own life, The Em Show: Tales from a Little Laughing Lesbian is a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of what happens when we stop trying to control everything and simply ‘be’. Em collaborated with Didi Hopkins who works with Miles Jupp and Eddie Izzard to create a show that blends high energy stand-up, improvisation and clowning for a show that makes audiences laugh and think. After a sellout preview off London’s west end in 2024, it is currently on tour in the UK.
Em Stroud said:
“When I met the Age UK Notts team, I was struck by how much heart and humanity they bring to their work. I wanted to give something back that would celebrate them and help raise funds for the brilliant people they serve. Nottingham welcomed me with such warmth, it was a joy to share laughter with this community.”
Audience members described the evening as “funny, warm and thought-provoking”, with many saying they “didn’t want it to end”. One attendee said they left feeling “inspired and life-affirmed”, while another shared that they were “face aching from watching the audience participation”. The atmosphere in the theatre was echoed by Julian Phillips, Marketing & Comms Manager from Nottingham Arts Theatre, who said: “Nottingham Arts Theatre was so pleased to host this fun gig for such a worthy cause.” Overall, the event was hailed as “brilliant”, “hilarious” and “a giggle from start to finish”.
Em will be back in Nottingham for the public performance of The Em Show: Tales from a Little Laughing Lesbian at the Nottingham Playhouse on 15th January 2026. For more information about The Em Show: tales from a Little Laughing Lesbian and to buy tickets, go to https://emstroud.com/tour/
