On A Roll Sees John Lloyd Bring Intimate Conversations With Michael Palin And Sandi Toksvig To London’s West End

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, John Lloyd, the genius behind QI and Blackadder, launches his new intimate conversation series On A Roll at the Gillian Lynne Theatre with Michael Palin and Sandi Toksvig – don’t miss these rare, off-the-leash evenings with two of Britain’s best-loved national treasures.

On A Roll

Comedy legend John Lloyd, the creative force behind iconic hits like QI, Blackadder, Spitting Image, and Radio 4’s The Museum of Curiosity, is launching a brand-new series of relaxed, heartfelt conversations at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London.

Titled On A Roll, the simple-format Monday night events promise no intervals, no gimmicks—just genuine, off-the-leash chats with some of Britain’s most beloved entertainers. The series kicks off with two special instalments in spring 2026:

• On A Roll – Michael Palin Lightly Toasted by John Lloyd on Monday 27 April 2026
• On A Roll – Sandi Toksvig Sauced Up by John Lloyd on Monday 4 May 2026

Both events take place at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, part of the LW Theatres family owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

A New Stage for Private Conversations

After decades spent collaborating with the UK’s sharpest comedic minds, John Lloyd CBE wanted to create a space for the kind of honest, unguarded discussions that usually only happen in a quiet pub corner. Partnering with Clive Conway Productions— the UK’s leading producer of high-quality spoken-word events—On A Roll delivers exactly that: easy-going evenings focused on stories, reflections, and mischief.

The format is intentionally straightforward, allowing the personalities to shine without distractions. It’s a rare opportunity to see national treasures “behind the scenes and off the leash.”

Michael Palin: Lightly Toasted – 27 April 2026

The series opens with one of Britain’s most cherished figures: Sir Michael Palin. Often described as an “unburied national treasure,” Palin is a Monty Python legend, acclaimed travel documentary presenter (Around the World in 80 Days and many more), actor, and writer whose gentle curiosity has captivated audiences for decades.

In this intimate conversation with John Lloyd, audiences will hear Palin reflect not only on his extraordinary journeys but on the strange, often hilarious business of simply being Michael Palin. Expect insights into his quiet observations of the human condition, Python memories, and the personal stories that rarely make it to the screen.

Fresh from receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2026 Royal Television Society Programme Awards, this is a timely chance to celebrate a career now spanning seven decades.

Sandi Toksvig: Sauced Up – 4 May 2026

Just a week later, the spotlight turns to Sandi Toksvig—one of British broadcasting’s most distinctive voices. The Sunday Times bestselling novelist has hosted both QI (taking over from Stephen Fry) and The Great British Bake Off, making her the only person to have fronted both shows.

In this special reunion, Toksvig teams up with the very man who created the QI format that helped define her as a quiz-show icon. Together with John Lloyd, she’ll delve into the moments, memories, and mischief that shaped her remarkable career, from radio and television breakthroughs to her groundbreaking work as the first female presenter of a major mainstream TV comedy panel show.

Expect laughter, revelations, and the warm, witty banter that has made Toksvig a national favourite.

About the Creative Team

John Lloyd founded QI TV on the principle that “everything is interesting if looked at in the right way.” His company has produced the long-running BBC series QI, The Museum of Curiosity, and numerous bestsellers. With credits including Not the Nine O’Clock News, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and Blackadder, Lloyd remains one of the most influential figures in British comedy.

Clive Conway Productions brings arts, politics, and entertainment together for audiences nationwide through top-tier spoken-word events.

The events are hosted at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, one of London’s iconic venues in the LW Theatres portfolio, which also includes the London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss On A Roll

These one-night-only events offer something increasingly rare in today’s entertainment landscape: real conversation with extraordinary people, presented in an intimate West End setting without hype or heavy production.

Whether you’re a lifelong Monty Python fan, a QI enthusiast, a travel documentary lover, or simply someone who appreciates sharp wit and heartfelt storytelling, On A Roll promises unforgettable evenings.

Tickets for Michael Palin on 27 April 2026 and Sandi Toksvig on 4 May 2026 at the Gillian Lynne Theatre are available now via LW Theatres and official box offices.

Don’t miss your chance to see two national treasures “on a roll” with the man who knows them best. Book early for what are sure to be warmly received nights of comedy, insight, and pure enjoyment in central London.

Find more from On A Roll now:

Listings information:

Show:                        On A Roll with Michael Palin – Lightly Toasted by John Lloyd

Date:                          27^th April 2026

Time:                          7.30pm

Venue:                      Gillian Lynne Theatre 

Address:                  166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW

Price:                         Tickets from £41.50

Box Office:              https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/michael-palin/

Listings information:

Show:                        On A Roll with Sandi Toksvig – Sauced up by John Lloyd

Date:                          4th of May 2026

Time:                          7.30pm

Venue:                      Gillian Lynne Theatre 

Address:                  166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW

Price:                         Tickets from £41.50

Box Office:              https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/on-a-roll-sandi-toksvig/