Comedians put on virtual show for CYT fundraiser

Tom Parry, a former member of Central Youth Theatre in Wolverhampton, decided to host the event after he heard the news that the group had more than £6,000 worth of sound and lighting equipment stolen from its storage space.

The live online comedy night features the likes of Joel Dommett, Kiri Pritchard Mclean, Josh Widdecombe, Lazy Susan, James Acaster, Isy Suttie, Tim Key, Nish Kumar and Spencer Jones.

Tom, who went on to work professionally in comedy, normally hosts the annual Hilarity Charity Gala at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre, which has had to be cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

He said: "Central Youth Theatre changed my life, I can't emphasis enough how much of a difference it made to my life.

"It really broadened my horizons and I have made connections and friends for life, it is such an important organisation and I owe my career to the youth theatre, I would hate to see it lost to other young people.

"Because of the pandemic we had to cancel our annual fundraiser, combined with the break-in where they lost £6,000 of equipment it has been a testing time and I hope that this will help."

Tom will host the evening alongside Ben Clark.

Jane Ward, director of Central Youth Theatre, said: "Having such an amazing line up of comedians giving us their support at this particular time is just amazing.

"The funds we will raise will go towards not only replacing some of the equipment we lost in a recent break in but also some of the losses we have incurred through being closed for the last three months.

"Going forward we are hoping to reopen in September but in common with the entire theatre industry we know the road ahead is very problematic and we are going to face many challenges."

The show will stream live on Sunday, July 12 from 7.30pm, a private link will be sent out to those who have purchased tickets.

Tickets for the fundraiser can be bought on the Hilarity Charity Gala 2020 eventbrite website.