Top impressionist Jon Culshaw and comedian Nathan Caton are among the new names on the bill for this year’s Happy Christmas East Anglia extravaganza – with the last few tickets still up for grabs.
The East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) fundraiser, again being spearheaded by dedicated celebrity patron Griff Rhys Jones, is taking place at the town’s Regent theatre on Monday, 9th December.
This year promises to be extra special, as there will also be smaller, simultaneous spin-off shows at comedy clubs in Cambridge and Norwich. The latter is already sold out, with still some seats remaining in Cambridge.
The Ipswich spectacular is set to feature Gavin and Stacey favourite Ruth Jones, comedians David Baddiel and Joe Pasquale, West End and Broadway legend Ruthie Henshall and comedian, doctor and broadcaster Paul Sinha, alongside comedy trio Triple Cream and the Choir of St Mary’s Le Tower.
Now it has been confirmed that Culshaw, who also appeared in 2022, is heading back to the Regent. The popular impressionist shot to fame for his work on radio show Dead Ringers and has voiced a number of characters for ITV favourites, including Spitting Image, Newzoids and The Impressions Show.
Caton, meanwhile, is also on the line-up, having caught the eye while appearing at the Edinburgh Festival. It led to numerous TV and radio appearances, including Russell Howard’s Good News and Mock the Week.
Other new names added to the original cast list include The Fosse Four – a dynamic dance troupe of recent drama school graduates from The International College of Musical Theatre, in London – and RHCAST, which is the brainchild of Ruthie Henshall and business partner and Musical Supervisor Paul Schofield. RHCAST provides bespoke performing arts and industry training for young performers looking to gain the skills to succeed in the theatre industry.
Griff said: “I can’t wait for what promises to be a special and unforgettable night of milestones – the fifth anniversary of our Ipswich event, with the added bonus of simultaneous shows in Cambridge and Norwich.
“We’ve got another star-studded line-up, including Joe Pasquale starting in Norwich before joining us on stage in Ipswich. A bit like Phil Collins jetting from Wembley to Philadelphia during Live Aid, except swapping the Concorde for a car and the Atlantic for the A140.
“Tickets are selling fast, with just a few left at two of the venues, so my advice is to leap into action and snap them up before they disappear. By doing so, you’ll be helping us raise vital funds for an extraordinarily special and important charity.”
The last few tickets are still on sale for the Cambridge show, with Rory McGrath, Geoff Norcott, Tom Alban, Esther Manito and Jason Stampe set to appear at the Big Deal venue, in Market Passage.
The Norwich show, at Hooma Comedy, in Dereham Road, will feature much-loved comedian Pasquale, John Mann, Tim Fitzhigham, Leon Mallett and Martin Westgate.
To buy tickets for the Ipswich and Cambridge shows, head here.
