Russell Howard & Stewart Lee stand up for Christchurch

23 March 2010

On Monday 11 April award-winning comedians Russell Howard and Stewart Lee will headline Stand Up for Christchurch, a benefit show of world class comedy and variety to raise money for the people of Christchurch, New Zealand. He will be joined by Terry Alderton, Miles Jupp, Jack Whitehall and Miss Behave (La Clique).

The all star line up has been assembled by Kiwi comedian Jarred Christmas, recently seen on Let’s Dance for Comic Relief (BBC1). Christmas grew up in Christchurch and has close connections to the city devastated by a 6.3magnitude earthquake on 22 February. He has brought together performers from across the globe who are keen to show their support for a city where the Central Business District is still cordoned off to the public and many people are still unable to return home or are without power or flushing toilets nearly a month after the earthquake struck.

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Having lived and worked as a comedian and performer in London for 11 years, Christmas has been able to bring together both New Zealand performers and comedians for whom the Christchurch felt close to home.

“Every year UK comedians head down under to play the annual New Zealand Comedy Festival. When they get there they are met with friendliness and great crowds and they’re always amazed by how warm and generous the average New Zealander is. All the comedians I got in touch with were keen to help out the friends they’ve made on the other side of the world in the best way they could – comedy,” says Christmas.

Christmas hopes to raise £20,000 for the New Zealand Red Cross relief efforts with the benefit on 11 April. This will make it the biggest fundraiser in London to date and contribute to the 15 billion dollars (£6.7million) required to re-build the city.

STAND UP FOR CHRISTCHURCH
Monday 11 April, 7.30pm
Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7ES
Tickets: £20-£50 plus booking fee
Box office: 0844 412 4661 or 0844 482 9674 or http://www.nimaxtheatres.com/lyric-theatre/stand_up_for_christchurch
Line up announcements: www.facebook.com/shakyisles

ENDS

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