Comedy rock superstar, Tim Minchin, today announced a new Australian tour, complete with a 55-piece orchestra. Tim Minchin Versus The Orchestra Tour, supported by triple j, will include brand new material from the barefooted pianobasher, alongside those much-loved Minchin classics - as never heard before, with Australia’s state symphony orchestras.

On announcing the tour, Tim said: “Deep down I’ve always believed I deserved to have a symphony orchestra poised 24/7 to respond to my every musical whim. This is merely a step in the right direction.”

Melbourne will host the premiere of the tour at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda on 25 February, with Tim Minchin Versus The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. This will be followed by performances in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney in March.

“I can't wait to be a part of this tour and my only regret is that I won't be able to sit in the audience and experience it myself. You cannot miss this, anything could happen " said leading Australian conductor Benjamin Northey.

Tim’s 2009/2010 tour, Ready For This? was seen by 45,000 Australians, as well as enjoying a sell-out tour in the UK, and he has recently written music and lyrics for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new musical version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda – premiering in November 2010.

Winner of numerous awards including the 2009 Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer, the Best Alternative Comedian at the 2007 US Comedy Arts Festival 2007 and the Perrier Award for Best Newcomer at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tim Minchin delights and enthralls lovers of both comedy and music.

Tim adds, “I’d like to allay any fears fans might have that my collaboration with the country’s finest orchestras will lead to a tempering of content. On the contrary. Violins make me angry. Oboes, furious.”

“One of our all time favourite comics. This remarkable Aussie is a musical genius and quite unlike anyone else out there. Just go and see him” Time Out, UK

“Not only is Tim Minchin outrageously funny, he is also a beautiful singer and pianist. His piano solos are enough on their own to warrant the entry price”. Daily Telegraph, Sydney