A Church Lawton-based writer and show producer is about to celebrate a golden moment in his career – a quarter of a century later after delighting audiences.

David Graham who splits his time between Church Lawton and London, has seen his loveable rogue 'Eric' take to the stage for 25 years, in a variety of guises.

The talented writer and show producer even wrote a book about 'Eric' during lockdown – 'Eight Days a Week' 

David Graham wrote the book 'Eight Days a Week' during lockdown. (Photo: Nub News)

Audiences at Staffordshire's New Vic theatre have been buying tickets for David's Eric productions for many years.

David writes many of the wonderful Eric productions at his Church Lawton home, complete with his music memorabilia and guitar, which featured in this Alsager Nub News article here

The current 'Eric' production - Eric's Pride and Prejudice filled with l 60s songs, dancing and finishes at the New Vic tomorrow (December 9th).

And in 2024, it's the 25th anniversary of the famous Staffordshire character and audiences will be treated to two special shows.

David adores music, particularly the 60s and is a keen guitar player. (Photo: Nub News)

To mark the anniversary milestone, David Graham Productions will stage two of their most popular productions - as voted for by audiences - alongside a series of celebratory concerts packed full of the '60s tunes the company are well known for raising the roof with.

Strictly Eric and Eric's Full Monty came top in a vote earlier this year when audiences were asked to pick their favourite shows from the last 15 years.

First performed in 2017, Strictly Eric sees Eric and hapless sidekick Gordon employed to help in the 1969 World Ballroom Championships at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

Audiences can find out what happens when Eric takes on the best ballroom dancers that 'Strictly' has to offer from Monday 22nd July – Saturday 3rd August.

Eric's Full Monty will then take to the stage from 25th November – 10th December.

This production follows Eric's dilemma as partner Bev devises a get-rich-quick scheme: their own version of The Chippendales!

Ahead of the revivals of these audience favourites, David Graham Productions is throwing a series of special concerts where 'Eric' and friends will perform a whole host of'60s hits in a celebratory party concert to mark this milestone birthday from 14th – 18th May.

David writes many of his productions at his Church Lawton home. (Photo: Nub News)

David said: "When Eric first appeared on stage at the New Vic in 1999 with his nephew, Dennis, trying to make a quick buck out of staging a pop festival in ITCHYCOO PARK, who would have thought that 25 years later our eponymous hero would still be entertaining 5,000 people twice a year with a constantly-changing storyline and a plethora of 60s hits? 

"For the 25th anniversary I wanted to concentrate mostly on the 60s musical glue which has held this show together through the almost 600 performances there have been so far and so the shows will be mostly music. However, for a 25th Anniversary, that show has to be a bit special and it will be. Surprises await!

And then we thought we would allow the audience to decide which two of the many shows we have performed you would like to see again during our 25th anniversary year.

"Neither of the winners surprised us.  Strictly Eric from 2017 featured some fantastic ballroom dancing sequences as well as the usual comedy and 60s hits.

"However, the runaway winner (and I mean 'runaway' – it gathered more than double the votes of the all the other shows put together) was Eric's Full Monty."

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