Munnery performs to the homeless

Stand-up Simon Munnery is to perform a gig an audience entirely comprised of homeless people.

The comic, whose creations include Alan Parker: Urban Warrior, is to perform a free concert for the users of the Broadway day centre for the homeless in central London early next year.

“I think it's very important to take comedy out to a wide range of people,” he said.

“Performing for homeless people themselves seems to me much better than doing a gig to raise funds for the cause. I disagree with the kind of  ‘them and us’ mentality that events like that can perpetuate. I just hope people enjoy it.”

Gloria Kainja, Broadway Centre manager, said: “The people we work with are excluded from many aspects of what we take for granted in everyday life.

“Due to lack of money and public prejudice, they can’t go to pubs or clubs to see things like stand up comedy, which is really unfair. Simon coming to the centre is a really positive gesture.”

Published: 8 Nov 2004