Cleese, Williams and Atkinson coming to Wimbledon (From Your Local Guardian)

Cleese, Williams and Atkinson coming to Wimbledon

6:10pm Thursday 2nd October 2008 in News By Craig Burnett

Three kings of comedy will visit Wimbledon for a royal performance next month.

Robin Williams, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson are set to appear at the New Wimbledon Theatre for a special gala show in front of the Prince of Wales.

The event in aid of charity the Prince’s Trust will take place on November 12 and will be broadcast on television the following evening.

Tickets for the event, which will feature Robin Williams’ first live UK performance in 25 years, sold out in under an hour.

Williams will be joined by former Monty Python actor John Cleese and Blackadder star Rowan Atkinson for a mix of sketches and stand-up performances.

A spokesman for the theatre said: “Welcoming such esteemed guests to the theatre - not to mention the fantastic line up of comic talent - is a huge coup for us as a venue, and we're thrilled that such high-profile names in world comedy will be appearing on our stage.”

He also said that more big name stars and surprise guests would be announced in the weeks leading up to the gala performance.

“We are thrilled to add this wonderful event to our season and in doing so help raise awareness of The Prince's Trust," he added.

Tickets for the show went on sale at the theatre on Wednesday morning, priced from £25 to £100. Customers began queuing at the venue on the Broadway two-and-a-half hours before the box office opened.

Next month’s show will mark the prince’s 60th birthday. Money raised from the event will be donated to his charity, the Prince’s Trust, which runs projects that help and support disadvantaged young people.

Diane Sterck, chair of the Wimbledon Business Forum, said the visit of stars and royalty would provide a huge boost for the area.

“We welcome this news because it puts us on the map. It will bring a feel-good factor to Wimbledon, and we are really excited that such well known celebrities are coming,” she said.

A spokesman for ITV, which will screen the performance, said: “The line-up will bring together the very best in comedy talent – from much-loved established names to fresh young acts from the stand-up circuit – a combination which will appeal to all ages and, above all, to comedy fan and guest of honour The Prince of Wales.”

For hundreds more local events go to yourlocalguardian.co.uk/events