Mark Simmons: Jest to Impress
Fri 30 Oct 2026
Chelmsford Theatre
Sunday 4 October 2026
A 20th-anniversary screening tour of Graham Fellows’ much loved comedy documentary It’s Nice Up North starring his alter ego John Shuttleworth. The tour is also being presented as a tribute to the late Martin Parr, the celebrated photographer who shot the movie, and whose distinctive eye is central to the movie’s charm and enduring appeal.
It’s Nice Up North follows the legendary comic character John Shuttleworth - on a gently absurd journey through the Shetland Islands to test the theory that the further north you go, the nicer people become. Foiled by failing light, let down by a flat car battery, and buffeted by the constant wind, John doggedly pursues his quest; asking everyone he meets the all important question; ‘Is it nice up North?’
Co-starring Shetland tour guide, Elma Johnson, as herself, and featuring the inspiring music of Shetland’s folk ensemble Fiddlers Bid.
Graham Fellows will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A, and to discuss his on and off screen relationship with Martin Parr and how the photographer chose to adapt his legendary techniques to a film camera and crew on a remote Scottish island.
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Located in the heart of Chelmsford's West End, we are only a 10-minute walk from Chelmsford train station and a short distance from many of the city's car parks.
Chelmsford Train Station is a short walk from the Theatre. You can look at Greater Anglia to check which trains stop at Chelmsford Station.
Chelmsford Bus Station is just around the corner from the Theatre. You can look at First Essex to check which buses stop at the Chelmsford Bus Station.
The closest parking to the Theatre can be found at Townfield Street car park (open till 11pm Mon to Sat but closes at 6pm on Sun), Coval Lane car park (entrance via Rainsford Lane, open all hours) and Fairfield Road car park, (entrance via Coval Lane, open all hours but there are restrictions in place Mon to Fri before 5pm, Fairfield Road car park is also used extensively by people visiting the city in general and travelling to London on the train so can be very busy at all times).
Visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/car-parks for information on all carparks before your visit. Charges apply at all times.
All Chelmsford City Council car parks are now cashless. You can still pay by card, contactless payment or the MiPermit app.
Our café and box office are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm. The Box Office is closed on bank holidays unless there is a performance.
Outside of the times above the building will open 90 minutes before an event.
Chelmsford Theatre
Fairfield Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1JG
Box Office: 01245 606505
Email: boxoffice@chelmsford.gov.uk
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