Proceeds from April Foolery at The Criterion theatre go towards The Lund Fund named after UCS English teacher David Lund.
A former head boy at the Hampstead school, Hugh has hosted the event since it started four years ago and has previously described how Lund would foster pupils’ creative talents and organise jazz and comedy gigs.
This year, the West End fundraising gala features a silent auction with the chance to win a curry with the Highgate comic.
Both Hugh Dennis and charity CEO Matt Lane attended UCS in Hampstead where inspirational teacher David Lund fostered pupils’ creative ambitions. (Image: Courtesy of Eastside) The Not Going Out and Taskmaster star is also on the line up alongside Simon Brodkin, Mitch Benn, Zoe Lyons, Kae Kurd, Ken Cheng, Ola Labib and Cecily Hitchcock.
The Lund Fund benefits Hackney-based youth charity Eastside whose Artistic Director and CEO Matt Lane also attended UCS.
He said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring April Foolery back for another year in the Criterion Theatre. Laughter has an incredible power to bring people together, and what better way to support our cause than through an evening of joy and entertainment?
“Eastside works with young people aged 5-25 years and last year delivered 2,420 life changing creative workshops, inspiring and empowering 62,999 young people across the UK.
“Through events such as April Foolery, Eastside is working hard to raise vital funds to reach even more young people as we enter our fourth decade of serving young people.”
Brodkin hails from Hampstead Garden Suburb and is also a former UCS pupil. Last year’s Screwed Up tour played a phenomenal 110 dates including three nights at Hammersmith Apollo.
Mitch Benn is a comedian, author, musician and actor best known as resident comic songwriter on Radio 4’s The Now Show.
Zoe Lyons is also recognisable from Radio 4 as a regular on The News Quiz, Just a Minute, The Unbelievable Truth and The Now Show, plus her own four part series Passport Paddy.
Cecily Hitchcock is a crowd enchantress and heckler annihilator whose sketches and videos have notched up millions of views on social media for their mix of outlandish anecdotes and off-beat observations.
Ken Cheng is a stand-up comic, writer and professional poker player who burst onto the comedy scene after reaching the final of the 2015 BBC New Comedy Award. He has since starred in his own BBC Radio 4 shows, Chinese Comedian, and Ken Cheng: I Can School You.
Ola Labib is a fast rising name in British comedy, known for her infectious charm, edgy comedy material and wry humour inspired by both her strict Islamic and traditional African upbringing.
And Kae Kurd is smart, sharp and funny, celebrated for creating and curating extensive online material including his stand up special Kurd Your Enthusiasm.
Tickets are now on sale for Aprilfoolery at the Criterion Theatre on Monday April 28 at 7:30pm.
