Comedy: Give a little love…
Laughter is good for the soul, but it can also be very good for your karma with these fabulous charity nights
Know how to make a comedy night out make you feel even better? Make it a charity fundraiser comedy night out! As much as the idea of a ‘Big Society’ grates as a cop out from a government using new words to say it’s out of its depth, it is heartening to see so many entertainment bookers turning their hands to helping out charities – big and small, as belts got pulled ever more tighter.
Perfect case in point: this week sees the return of Cardiac Comedy with its second outing (Komedia, Wednesday 24 September, 8pm, £13) for The British Heart Foundation. Mixing big names like Angela Barnes – as seen on C4’s Stand Up For The Week, as well as Mock the Week – with exciting local talent like Sean McLoughlan – one to watch at the Edinburgh Fringe this year – along with Rudi Lickwood, Gerry Kyei, and MC and organiser Dave Blood. The British Heart Foundation may be a big organisation, but it needs support as much as any other, and to be honest will have helped pretty much all of us along the way at some point.
In October, The Brighton Comedy Festival greets us with its customary Opening Night Gala In Aid Of Sussex Beacon (Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, Friday 10 October, 8pm, £25). Having Alan Carr as a patron has never done it any harm at all, although this year it is hosted not by the toothy one, but by the marvellous Adam Hills instead. Perhaps hosting duties are tied in with how much a comic is seen on Channel 4 in any calendar year…
Joining Hills in the line-up are Rich Hall, Josh Widdicombe and Romesh Ranganathan. Actually, RR is a very active charity chappie in October, as you can also catch him on the bill of Big Cheer For Amaze (Komedia, Thursday 16 October, 8pm, £16) with Angela Barnes (doing her good deed again – thank you, lady), Justin Moorhouse and others. And in case you were wondering, Amaze is a brilliant Sussex charity providing support for local families with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Plus, of course, every month sees Charity Chuckle at Komedia, fighting the good fight for those that help others all the year round, and having had a truly cracking run in the Edinburgh Fringe this year for the first time. And in case you were wondering, October’s headliner is Nathan Caton (14 October, 8pm, £10/5).
It’s not December yet, but it blimmin’ well ‘tis the season to be jolly. Spread goodwill to all and dig deep. Ho ho ho.
