Channel 4's Comedy Gala
Encyclopedia
Channel 4's Comedy Gala is a British stand-up comedy
benefit show organised Channel 4
in aid of the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
. The gig is filmed live at the O2 Arena
in London, and then broadcast later by Channel 4. An inaugural gala
was held in 2010, while a second gala
was held in 2011.
history", and "the comedy event of the year". Hinting that there may be more Channel 4 Comedy Galas in the future, as Jack Dee closed the first show with the line "we'll see you next year, thank you and goodnight".
Hailing the first gig as a big hit both in terms of fund raising and for viewers, Irtizaali commissioned a second gala again at the O2, with tickets going on sale on 11 March 2011, and the gig scheduled for 24 May 2011.
All profits from ticket and DVD sales of the Comedy Galas go to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. All performers waive their fees for the shows. The first gala raised nearly £1 million, enabling a new anaesthetic room to be built, while the second gala is to raise funds for a new £5m operating theatre.
and Jonathan Ross
, it featured extended stand-up sets by Michael McIntyre
and Lee Evans
.
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
benefit show organised Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in aid of the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
. The gig is filmed live at the O2 Arena
The O2 arena (London)
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in London, England.With a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event, it is second largest...
in London, and then broadcast later by Channel 4. An inaugural gala
Channel 4's Comedy Gala (2010)
Channel 4's Comedy Gala of 2010 was a British stand-up comedy benefit show organised by Channel 4. It was the inaugural Channel 4 Comedy Gala, an annual charity event held O2 Arena in London in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Filmed live on 30 March 2010, a two and a half hour...
was held in 2010, while a second gala
Channel 4's Comedy Gala (2011)
-External links:* * * *...
was held in 2011.
History
The Comedy Gala was first commissioned by Channel 4 Entertainment Commissioning Editor, Syeda Irtizaali. Tickets first went on sale on 12 February 2010 for the live show at the O2 Arena, scheduled for 30 March 2010. With over 25 performers taking part, Channel 4 promoted the first gala as "the biggest live stand up show in UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
history", and "the comedy event of the year". Hinting that there may be more Channel 4 Comedy Galas in the future, as Jack Dee closed the first show with the line "we'll see you next year, thank you and goodnight".
Hailing the first gig as a big hit both in terms of fund raising and for viewers, Irtizaali commissioned a second gala again at the O2, with tickets going on sale on 11 March 2011, and the gig scheduled for 24 May 2011.
All profits from ticket and DVD sales of the Comedy Galas go to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. All performers waive their fees for the shows. The first gala raised nearly £1 million, enabling a new anaesthetic room to be built, while the second gala is to raise funds for a new £5m operating theatre.
2010 gala
The first gala took place at The O2 on 30 March 2010, and was broadcast on Channel 4 on 5 April 2010. It featured seventeen comedians performing stand-up, as well as a number of others performing live and pre-recorded sketches. Hosted by Alan CarrAlan Carr
Alan Carr is an English comedian and television personality. Born in Weymouth, he was raised in Northampton before moving to Manchester during his early 20's....
and Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross may refer to:* Jonathan Ross , English television and radio personality* Jonathan Ross , United States Senator, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court* Jonathon Ross , former Australian rules footballer...
, it featured extended stand-up sets by Michael McIntyre
Michael McIntyre
Michael Hazen James McIntyre is an English stand-up comedian. He is well known for appearing at many British stand-up comedy events and for several roles on television stand-up programmes such as Live at the Apollo and his own show, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow...
and Lee Evans
Lee Evans (comedian)
Lee Evans is an English comedian, writer, actor and musician.-Personal life:Lee Evans was born in Avonmouth, Bristol, England to an Irish mother and a Welsh father, Dave Evans, a nightclub performer. He left Bristol at the age of 13 and then went to The Billericay School in Billericay, Essex...
.