Ricky Gervais to debut new material at Christchurch's Regent

Ricky Gervais is performing his latest work-in-progress show

Comedian, actor and writer Ricky Gervais will debut new material at a 500-seat art deco theatre in Dorset next week.

Gervais, probably best known for the hit TV series The Office, is performing at the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Monday and Tuesday.

The work-in-progress show - Ricky Gervais and Friends - will see the star joined on stage by fellow comedians.

The venue said it was a "real honour" to be selected for the performances.

Tickets go on sale at 10:00 BST on Friday.

Theatre house and publicity manager Chris Cole described Gervais as "one of the most high-profile acts we've ever welcomed to the Regent".

The Regent dates back to the 1930s and is now run as a non-profit venue

Gervais - creator and star of The Office, Extras, Derek and After Life - has enjoyed global success.

His 2023 stand-up show Armageddon won a Golden Globe and his performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest grossing comedy gig ever.

The Office, a mockumentary-style series starring Gervais as awkward office manager David Brent, is the most successful British comedy of all time, shown in more than 90 countries, with 13 remakes.

The Regent, a former cinema in Christchurch's High Street, dates back to the 1930s and is now run as a non-profit venue.

The comedian will also be performing his new material at London's Leicester Square Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre in Hertfordshire.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.