Comedy stars out to fight poverty
Paul Collins | 29.01.2008 11:55
29 January 2008
Comedy stars out to fight poverty
A galaxy of comedians plan to help fight global poverty by raising laughs and lolly for leading charity War on Want.
Television celebrities Armstrong and Miller, Lee Mack, Shazia Mirza and Jo Caulfield, together with rising stars Jack Whitehall and Josh Howie, will present a night of hilarious stand-up jokes and sketches for War on Want.
It will take place at 8.00 pm on Thursday, 21 February at Shepherds Bush Empire in west London.
War on Want urges people to reserve tickets, price £20, soon as the charity expects a big demand for seats. Bookings can be made by telephone (0844 477 2000) or online at www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk or www.ticketweb.co.uk
Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller, with their catchphrase “I’m wearing my wife’s knickers,” are now entertaining viewers with their latest BBC4 television series.
Alexander Armstrong, guest host of TV’s Have I Got News for You, starred in radio’s Weak at the Top and The Sunday Format.
Ben Miller, also a director and actor, joined Alexander for another series of their BBC1 show last year.
Lee Mack, a former bingo hall worker and stableboy, has starred in the BBC television sitcom Not Going Out and as a team captain in the panel game Would I Lie to You?
Shazia Mirza, a Muslim from Birmingham with Pakistani-born parents, has toured Britain and overseas, and appeared on British and foreign television, including a BBC documentary with a record-breaking audience. She also writes for the magazine New Statesman.
Jo Caulfield has written for and performed as warm-up act for Graham Norton’s television shows, appeared on TV many times, starred in her own Radio 4 series and been a regular guest in other radio programmes.
Jack Whitehall, only 19, a former child actor, proved the first stand-up comedian to appear below the legal voting age in the show Political Animal at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has established himself on London’s comedy circuit.
Josh Howie has proved a big hit on the circuit, including universities and private functions, and performs regularly at clubs such as Up the Creek, Banana Cabaret, Comedy Store, Comedy Café, Jongleurs, Bearcat, Red Rose and King’s Head.
War on Want supports groups fighting poverty in Asia, Africa and Latin America and campaigns on issues such as:
*British high street retailers exploiting garment and flower workers.
*UK firms’ complicity in conflict zones at the expense of poor people.
*British private security companies, unaccountable for human rights abuse while profiting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Stefanie Pfeil, fundraising director at War on Want, said: “We are delighted these top comedians have made this generous commitment to help raise funds with a special comedy gig. If you want a great night out for a vital cause, book your seat as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
CONTACT: Paul Collins, War on Want media office (+44) (0)20 7549 0584 or (+44) (0)7983 550728
Comedy stars out to fight poverty
A galaxy of comedians plan to help fight global poverty by raising laughs and lolly for leading charity War on Want.
Television celebrities Armstrong and Miller, Lee Mack, Shazia Mirza and Jo Caulfield, together with rising stars Jack Whitehall and Josh Howie, will present a night of hilarious stand-up jokes and sketches for War on Want.
It will take place at 8.00 pm on Thursday, 21 February at Shepherds Bush Empire in west London.
War on Want urges people to reserve tickets, price £20, soon as the charity expects a big demand for seats. Bookings can be made by telephone (0844 477 2000) or online at www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk or www.ticketweb.co.uk
Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller, with their catchphrase “I’m wearing my wife’s knickers,” are now entertaining viewers with their latest BBC4 television series.
Alexander Armstrong, guest host of TV’s Have I Got News for You, starred in radio’s Weak at the Top and The Sunday Format.
Ben Miller, also a director and actor, joined Alexander for another series of their BBC1 show last year.
Lee Mack, a former bingo hall worker and stableboy, has starred in the BBC television sitcom Not Going Out and as a team captain in the panel game Would I Lie to You?
Shazia Mirza, a Muslim from Birmingham with Pakistani-born parents, has toured Britain and overseas, and appeared on British and foreign television, including a BBC documentary with a record-breaking audience. She also writes for the magazine New Statesman.
Jo Caulfield has written for and performed as warm-up act for Graham Norton’s television shows, appeared on TV many times, starred in her own Radio 4 series and been a regular guest in other radio programmes.
Jack Whitehall, only 19, a former child actor, proved the first stand-up comedian to appear below the legal voting age in the show Political Animal at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has established himself on London’s comedy circuit.
Josh Howie has proved a big hit on the circuit, including universities and private functions, and performs regularly at clubs such as Up the Creek, Banana Cabaret, Comedy Store, Comedy Café, Jongleurs, Bearcat, Red Rose and King’s Head.
War on Want supports groups fighting poverty in Asia, Africa and Latin America and campaigns on issues such as:
*British high street retailers exploiting garment and flower workers.
*UK firms’ complicity in conflict zones at the expense of poor people.
*British private security companies, unaccountable for human rights abuse while profiting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Stefanie Pfeil, fundraising director at War on Want, said: “We are delighted these top comedians have made this generous commitment to help raise funds with a special comedy gig. If you want a great night out for a vital cause, book your seat as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
CONTACT: Paul Collins, War on Want media office (+44) (0)20 7549 0584 or (+44) (0)7983 550728
Paul Collins
e-mail:
pcollins@waronwant.org
Homepage:
http://www.waronwant.org
