Sir Lenny Henry, Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse are among the comedians appearing at a one-off benefit gig to raise money to fight knife crime. The show, organised by educational organisation The Comedy School, takes place at the Eventim Apollo on October 11.
Also appearing are Sean Lock, Andi Osho, Simon Evans, Curtis Walker and Francesca Martinez. The event is being produced by Paulette Randall MBE to raise funding for vital social programmes using the power of comedy to educate, rehabilitate and inspire in a wide variety of settings.
Founded in 1998, The Comedy School is a unique organization, offering a chance to explore all aspects of the performing arts industry and comedy art-forms, using the often underestimated power of comedy to run training and education projects in secure mental health units, schools, prisons and elsewhere, addressing social issues, offering opportunities for personal development, guiding young people excluded from the educational system, nurturing the talents of comedy enthusiasts and aspiring professionals.
Teenage deaths from knife crime have been climbing consistently for the last three years with 10 teenagers having lost their lives already this year. The work of The Comedy School includes the play It’s No Joke! which tours schools across London with its vital message about the dangers of knife crime and violence. Supported by Richard Taylor from The Damilola Taylor Trust and by The Metropolitan Police, the play delivers serious and stark messages in a humorous way, easily accessible to school children and teenagers.
