A chance to have a good laugh with Jo Brand, and stop people dying

  • Post

  • 21 November 2013

  • Posted by Alastair Campbell

  • 0

If you like Jo Brand, if you like a good night out, if you have an empty diary on the evening of this coming Sunday November 24, and if you have a passing interest in making a small contribution to curing cancer and saving lives, then please click on here. I've been involved in An Audience With… since the very beginning, and every year it's one charity event not to be missed. In fact it’s become an Autumn Institution and a resounding success for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, raising over £160,000, so far, to help beat blood cancer. The annual event was the idea of my literary agent and leukaemia survivor, Ed Victor, and thanks to his, my and Alan Yentob's contacts books, we’ve brought audiences a unique insight into the lives of some of the most impressive people in entertainment, including Mel Brooks, Kevin Spacey, Michael Palin, Stephen Fry, Billy Connolly and Miranda. Not a bad line up, and every single one of them turning out for not a penny. Jo Brand is the next great name to step up in the same way. The beauty is that although the Criterion Theatre is full of splendour, it is still a relatively small and intimate venue, so can you get up close and personal to the celebrity guest. Alan Yentob uses archive footage as the basis for interviews, and then the audience gets to ask the questions. A highlight last year was when an over zealous fan just wouldn't shut up but Miranda just said 'Shush now' and he did! I’ve no doubt that An Audience with Jo Brand will be brilliant. I have seen her do stand up, chat, after dinner, political, and lots else besides. Whilst she may be known to most as a BAFTA-winning English comedian, writer and actress, many may not know, for example, about her life as a psychiatric nurse for 10 years, or a Crystal Palace fanatic. That’s what makes this event so unique – we go way beyond what you thought you knew about the person. I’m expecting the evening to be full of laughs – Jo is an incredibly funny lady. However, there are always twists during these evenings so expect the unexpected! And here is a reminder of how to be there

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

190. How the Media Still Misunderstands Trump (Tina Brown)

Why does Trump understand the media better than the media understands him? Are tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos more dangerous to journalism than Rupert Murdoch ever was? What did Tina ... Continue

25 May 2026

Struggling or Snowflakes? The Gen Z Mental Health Story

Why has there been such an increase in young people diagnosed with mental health problems? Are Gen Z less resilient than older generations, or have they been seriously let down? Has therapy culture go... Continue

21 May 2026

535. The Ebola Outbreak and the British Far-Right’s Next Move

Are Xi and Putin playing Trump? How serious is the new Ebola outbreak, especially after Trump's and Britain's severe cuts to international aid? With Tommy Robinson explicitly telling his supporters to... Continue

21 May 2026

534. Is Wes Streeting Trying to Sabotage Andy Burnham?

By re-igniting the Brexit debate, is Wes Streeting deliberately trying to sabotage Andy Burnham's chances in a Leave-voting area, or is he forcing Labour to finally confront reality? Does Hungary's ne... Continue

20 May 2026

Alastair Campbell’s diary: I doubted that Burnham had a ruthless streak. Not any more

If I had to put my life on it, I’d guess that he will be PM by Christmas... Continue

20 May 2026

189. Rahm Emanuel: China, Technology, and the Future of the Democratic Party

Will Rahm Emanuel run to be the next President of the United States? What were the underlying policy disagreements regarding West Bank settlements that led to Benjamin Netanyahu publicly attacking Rah... Continue

18 May 2026

533. Andy Burnham’s Big Gamble: Can He Beat Reform?

What is Alastair’s plea to Labour politicians, after this week’s turmoil? After Wes Streeting’s resignation from the cabinet, will he still run against the ‘King of the North’, Andy Burnham,... Continue

15 May 2026

532. The Trump-Xi Showdown and Putin’s Conscription Con

As Trump becomes the first American president to visit China in nearly a decade, will the summit bring any positive developments, or will it further deepen global disorder? Will Trump sacrifice Taiwan... Continue

13 May 2026