"Stand Up For Labour" at Theatre Royal Stratford East: Laughter and Politics

Hat tip to West Ham Labour blog for most of the above pictures from last nights hugely successful "Stand Up For Labour" comedy fund raiser. The event was sponsored by Greater London UNISON Link and raised money for the Ilford North and West Ham General Election campaigns.

West Ham MP, Lyn Brown, started the evening by welcoming everyone to the packed theatre. Brilliant acts, Arthur Smith, Sara Pascoe and Patrick Monahan were compered by Paul Rickets.

It was a shame that Labour Stalwart, Harry Leslie Smith, was not well enough to attend. West Ham Labour Treasurer, the quiet and retiring, John Saunders, received a bottle of wine from Paul Rickets for being the longest serving Party member present (he joined the Labour Party in 1959 when Hugh Gaitskill was the leader)

At the finish, Ilford North Labour candidate, Wes Streeting, gave a passionate speech about the absolute importance of getting rid of the Tories on May 7th.

Many thanks to the organisers in West Ham Labour Party and "Stand Up for Labour" for all their work. The staff at the Theatre Royal were as usual, absolutely fantastic - polite, helpful and totally professional.

I understand that this was one of the biggest ever "Stand Up For Labour" events and let us see if we can make this an annual show in West Ham.

(see middle picture of Lyn Brown MP, West Streeting, Stephen Timms MP and Mike Gapes MP with West Ham CLP Chair, Charlene McLean)

Stand Up For Labour: 9 March - Theatre Royal, Stratford East

Only one week to go before the West Ham and Ilford North CLP "Stand Up For Labour" comedy event taking place at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East on Monday 9 March. Most tickets have now gone so click here to reserve your place on line before it is too late.

"Stand Up For Labour" Theatre Royal Stratford East Monday 9 March

West Ham and Ilford North CLPs are hosting that biggest ever Stand Up for Labour event at Stratford’s famous Theatre Royal on 9 March. You can book your seats here to attend a fantastic night of comedy to raise money for Labour.

Top comedians Sarah Pascoe and Arthur Smith, famous for both stand-up and TV and radio panel shows including QI, are already confirmed, along with Live from the Apollo compere Stephen K Amos. And we’ll soon be able to reveal our very famous headline act…

The night is hosted by Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham, and Labour’s candidate for Ilford North Wes Streeting. We also have a special guest speaker, NHS campaigner Harry Leslie Smith, who received a standing ovation at last year’s Labour conference talking about his life and childhood before the welfare state.

This fantastic night of comedy is all about raising money for Labour’s election campaigns in West Ham and Ilford North (our key battleground in East London).

It’s going to be a brilliant sell-out event. Book your seats NOW online or by calling the box office on 020 8534 0310. Tickets are £20/£12.50 (with concessions).

Friends and family and non Labour members are very welcome – although the content might not be suitable for the right leaning…

Hope to see you raising a laugh to raise money for Labour on Monday 9 March.

hat tip West Ham Labour

Stand Up for Labour: Theatre Royal, Stratford, 9 March 2015

Reserve the evening of 9 March in your diary. It was agreed at tonights West Ham Labour Party Executive to go ahead with a fund raising event at the historic Theatre Royal, Stratford East, West Ham, East London.

Lyn Brown MP is helping to organise the event and proceeds will be shared with our West Ham Labour Party "Twin" (and Labour target seat) Ilford North to help them get Wes Streeting elected as their MP in May. 

"Stand up for Labour" have arranged for 3 very special comedians to perform (including one secret star appearance).

Booking details to follow. Watch this space.

#Lab13 Denis Healey and Stand Up for Labour

By Monday evening I needed a break from conference fringes and bought a ticket to see the "Stand Up for Labour". On the publicity for the show I had noticed that it had a "Denis Healey" billed to appear. I assumed that this was someone impersonating the former Labour Chancellor and deputy leader.

I never expected for a moment to see that it was actually the Denis Healey who was the first act. He read out limericks to the audience.

He was looking a little frail but appeared to be enjoying himself while performing. It was his 96th birthday recently so as he went off the stage all the audience sang "happy birthday to you".

The whole show was great fun and I would recommend Stand Up for Labour.  The show finished off with Andy Burham MP, who told a modified version of the classic joke about a man going into a pub with a parrot on his shoulder. I won't reveal the details in case he wants to use it again.