Theatre News

Frank Skinner Credit Crunches More Lyric Cabaret

Comedian Frank Skinner (pictured) will resume his Monday-night residency at the West End’s Lyric Theatre later this month. Five extra dates – from Monday 23 March to 27 April 2009 – have been added for Frank Skinner’s Credit Crunch Cabaret, for which tickets are priced at only £10.

Promotional material for the new show captures the national mood – “Times are tough. The pound is falling, purse strings are tightening and it looks like you’ll never be able to get pick ‘n’ mix from Woolies again…” – and asks “…so what better time than now for a little entertainment?”

Over the past five weeks of its original stint, Skinner’s sell-out variety evenings have featured performances from an assortment of comedians, pop groups, West End musical stars and others, all taking part for reduced fees in order to keep ticket prices down.

Connie Fisher, Fascinating Aida, Simon Brodkin, Al Murray, Dave Gorman, Russell Howard, Michael McIntyre, Tara Palmer Tomkinson, Hugh Cornwell (of The Stranglers), Richard Herring, Ian Broudie (of the Lightning Seeds), Isy Suttie, Chris Addison, Fascinating Aida and We Are Klang are amongst those who have taken part to date.

Amongst those so far confirmed for future line-ups are La Clique’s Ursula Martinez, Lee Mack, Alun Cochrane and Goldie Lookin’ Chain. Frank Skinner’s Credit Crunch Cabaret is presented by Avalon Promotions. Performances are Mondays at 8pm.

The Credit Crunch Cabaret isn’t the only variety evening now on offer in the West End. La Clique, which won the Olivier for Best Entertainment on Sunday, has extended until mid-June at the London Hippodrome, while the weekly Live from Leicester Square offering at Leicester Square Theatre launches this Friday at the Leicester Square Theatre (See News, 3 Mar 2009).

On other days of the week, the Lyric Theatre continues to play host to Michael Jackson tribute concert show Thriller Live, which is currently booking until 27 September 2009.

– by Terri Paddock