Comic stars gagging to fight poverty
15 March 2011
Jokers set to raise money for political campaigns
Top comedians this month will stand up for the UK’s leading political anti-poverty charity, War on Want, to raise funds and awareness for work against tax dodgers, clothes sweatshops and companies profiting in conflict-hit areas of the world.
Topping the bill for the War on Want show at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire is Stewart Lee, one of the godfathers of the UK comedy scene, who continues to be a hit with critics and audiences alike.
Another favourite in the line up is Sean Hughes, at 24 the youngest-ever winner of the Perrier award in the Edinburgh festival. Sean has recently made a triumphant return to stand up after a successful sabbatical writing and acting.
Stars in the fundraising event on 30 March also include Isy Suttie, holder of the “funniest woman” title from Loaded magazine’s 2011 Lafta awards, who is best known as IT geek Dobby in the prizewinning sitcom Peep Show.
A further big name in the lineup will be Omid Djalili, winner of the magazine Time Out’s award and the London Weekend Television comedy prize for best stand-up, as well as the Spirit of the Fringe award at the Edinburgh festival.
Yet another famous comedian will perform - Andy Parsons, a regular panelist on TV’s Mock the Week, who has written and presented the radio series Parsons and Naylor’s Pull-Out Sections, and is a lynchpin of the Comedy Store’s Cutting Edge team.
Amid the jokes parade will be Simon Evans, the host and writer of the radio spoof news show The Way It Is, a guest in BBC and independent television programmes, and recent support act on Lee Mack’s sold out nationwide tour.
Imran Yusuf - a star last month in BBC TV’s How TV Ruined Your Life and radio’s The News Quiz - and Dan Antopolski, the winner of Edinburgh festival and BBC awards, will also make much anticipated appearances on the Empire stage.
The bill is completed with the Chortle prizewinning quartet Idiots of Ants – Benjamin Wilson, James Wrighton, Elliott Tiney and Andrew Spiers.
The compere is fringe award winner Charlie Baker, who appeared last month on BBC television in Let’s Dance for Comic Relief, and warms up audiences for the TV game show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Duncan Wilbur, fundraising and communications director at War on Want, said: “Hundreds of people have already booked for our best-ever comedy gig. We hope lots more will join us to enjoy loads of laughs for a terrific cause.”
Tickets, price £15, can be bought from TicketWeb on 08444 771000 or online
The 02 Empire - on Shepherd's Bush Green, London W12 8TT - opens its doors for the event at 7.00 pm
CONTACT: Paul Collins, War on Want media office (+44) (0)20 7324 5054 or (+44) (0)7983 550728
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