Only Two More Days Until Wolverhampton's Biggest Night of Comedy

It's nearly time for audiences to see Wolverhampton's biggest comedy line up at this year's HILARITY CHARITY GALA at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Thursday 18th May. This star studied charity fundraiser ensures Wolverhampton's best loved youth theatre keeps providing ongoing opportunities for young people from across the City.

Produced by Central Youth Theatre's former member and Patron, Tom Parry, the event is going into it's fourth year - and for each show Tom works hard to ensure the line up includes not only some of the biggest names in comedy, but also some of the names of the future.

Director Jane Ward says: "It's quite incredible how Tom has the ability to spot the next big name in comedy. Only last year he invited a fairly unknown comic called Joel Dommett onto the bill, but of course since then he has become a household name after his appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here. Similarly physical comedian Spencer Jones, (who also appeared on last year's bill) has just filmed a sitcom pilot for BBC1 entitled Mr Winner.

She goes on to say: "It has been amazing to see how year on year, so many of our past guests have seen their status rise in the world of comedy. Josh Widdicombe who appeared in the first Hilarity Gala in 2013 and is back this year, has really become much more well known since starring on The Last Leg and having his own sitcom Josh on BBC3.

Beside Josh this years other big hitters are Romesh Ranganathan and compare Daniel Kitson (who has compered every Gala for the last four years)

Supporting acts named so far this year are Suzi Ruffell and Tim Key and Jane says: "It's going to be very interesting to see how their careers develop over the next twelve months. Many will recognise Tim as Sidekick Simon from the Alan Partridge movie but if you haven't seen him live before come and see the show on May 18th and say you saw them in Wolverhampton first".

Producer Tom Parry's career has also moved sharply upwards over the last twelve months. His Radio 4 series Fancy Dressed Life has just aired and is still available on iPlayer. He is also rapidly becoming an established writer and director of stage and TV comedy.

Matt Forde had been lined up to appear but has had to pull out due to TV election commitments. Alun Cochrane will now be appearing.

Tickets for HILARITY CHARITY GALA are on sale in person at the Box Office, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.

Don't Miss a UK Regional News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...