Parky on Parky: Yorkshire chat show legend tribute is fundraiser for Barnsley Civic
The legendary voice of Yorkshire will once again fill the stage — not live, but alive in memory, magic, and moments that shaped a nation.
Parky On Parky, a powerful, personal tribute hosted by his son Mike, will celebrate the life and career of the iconic Barnsley broadcaster and fulfil his wish - to deliver a fundraiser for the Barnsley Civic town centre venue on Friday, April 25.
Clips. Stories. Icons. Laughter. Legacy.
It’s the story of a local lad who spoke to the world — and made it listen.
BUY TICKETS: Tickets start at £22.50 and are available at barnsleycivic.co.uk/event/parky-on-parky, by calling 01226 327000 or visiting the Barnsley Civic’s Eldon Street box office, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
PODCAST: Mike tells fans what they can expect and how he is still coping with the grief of losing his dad two years ago - listen to the full interview with Graham Walker in the link below or CLICK HERE.
Mike, who worked with his father for over 20 years, until his death in 2023, has agreed to donate all ticket sales to support the venue’s creative health and well-being work in Barnsley’s communities.
Cudworth born Sir Micheal was a proud patron and supporter of Barnsley Civic, a registered charity, and had appeared at the venue in his ‘an audience with’ shows.
Parky on Parky will give fans a funny, thoughtful and often surprising insight into what made Sir Michael tick both as a man, a journalist and the doyen of television interviewers.
This engaging and revealing show will feature clips from the Parkinson archive, including groundbreaking conversations with Billy Connolly, Dame Edna Everage, Lauren Bacall, George Best and Meg Ryan, alongside intimate memories of the man who was both his father and business partner.
Mike said: “In 2015 my dad and I did a show together at Barnsley Civic and he so enjoyed the experience that he made a promise to return to do another show to raise money for this lovely venue. But our busy schedule and latterly his ill health means that 10 years later I am coming back, sadly without my dad, but safe in the knowledge that he would want me to fulfil his promise.”
Dan Winder, CEO at Barnsley Civic said: "It's really wonderful to host this unique celebration of the life of one of Yorkshire's greatest people. We are particularly honoured that his son, Mike, has chosen to work with us on this event as a fundraiser for Barnsley Civic, a venue that Michael Parkinson himself loved."
Back in 2017 Sir Michael said of his support for Barnsley Civic: “The arts are an integral part of what it means to be human. They contribute to our spirit and enrich our lives. Barnsley can be proud of the contribution it has made to the world of literature, theatre, radio, television, music and sport. That is why I am proud to be a Patron of The Civic. Please support us.”
In an exclusive chat - listen in full here - Mike explained how the tribute show to his father, will feature classic clips from his father's TV show archive and personal anecdotes. Mike also highlighted his use of Artificial Intelligence to preserve his father's legacy, creating an AI iteration of his father's voice for podcast interviews . He shared his father's influence on his life, particularly in literature and music, and expressed the emotional challenge of performing without him.
He said: “Parky On Parky is my version of the show I used to do with my father.
."It's a traditional kind of talk show. You'll learn about his life, his career and you'll see incredible archive from his shows. But you'll also get a perspective from me as his son, his producer and his business partner. I had a ringside seat with him for many years and I learned things about him, made observations about him and had my own thoughts about him, which I'll share. It'll surprise some people about who he really was in private and what he was really like as a man. In many ways he was insecure, lacking in confidence.
"There is a sense of it being a memorial. In August, it will be two years since he died.
"He listened intently to what you told him, he thought very much about it and what he said really meant something. That's what I really miss. If I'm faced with a dilemma, be it personal or professional, or whatever, I always think I wonder what my father would say. I do miss him for that. I feel very, very vulnerable without it.
"I've done this show now two or three times. What I'm allowed to do now, I think, is properly celebrate the man. There are times when I'm on stage where I suddenly feel his absence. It's not when I see the archive, it's when I talk about him. I'm working through grief - you get a little emotional. Even simple things with the tenses that you use. I don't work with my father. I worked with him. So when you have to actually make that tense change, you suddenly are brought up very sharply.
"I feel like he's not really gone because, in a sense, he's in me. He's 50% of me. So when I'm standing on stage, he's still there. I think that that's what happens, every son grows into his father's personality. I think my father got better as he got older, he got more relaxed in himself, more happy with himself, a better interviewer, a better everything. And I just hope that happens to me.
Which three guests and musical star would his dad like to have had in a dream show?
Mike said; "I think he would definitely have Frank Sinatra as a musical guest. He would have Humphrey Bogart 100% and probably Raquel Welch, as she was when he interviewed her in 1975, because she was extraordinary.
"But I think he would definitely still have Billy Connolly - dad was just in awe of him. Billy did the show 19 times. He never once had to dip into his own material. Every single show he did was different. My father was just in total awe of him. And the one thing he absolutely loved about interviewing was people that made him laugh.
Barnsley Civic is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), dedicated to delivering high-quality, fun, enjoyable, inspirational, and enlightening work, supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Its mission is to be the cultural heart of Barnsley and known as a place that encourages creativity and enhances the cultural landscape of Barnsley.
It works with numerous community groups, including the Civic Pride Singers and Young Writers, to enrich the cultural landscape of Barnsley.
Central to its year-round programme is a range of creative engagement and learning opportunities. This year it is offering several artists under 30 the opportunity to take part in a professional development programme.
Recently restored to its former glory, the historic Eldon Street re-opened in September 2024, further cementing Barnsley Civic’s role as a vibrant hub for creativity and community activity in the region.
LINKS:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebarnsleycivic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/barnsleycivic/#
Tel: 01226 327000