West End charity gig to honour the late comedian

Star comedians are to stage a West End gig in memory of Andy Smart.

The comic died a year ago this month at the age of 63, having spent more than 40 years in comedy.  

Now friends and colleagues  including Arthur Smith, Omid Djalili, Milton Jones and Shaparak Khorsandi are to pay tribute with a major fundraising gig for homeless charity Crisis.

Ian Richards, who heads the organisation’s Christmas campaign, said: ‘Andy was a hugely popular and respected volunteer at our Christmas services for nearly 20 years.  His empathy, care and infectious humour were invaluable for both guests and fellow volunteers alike. 

‘Andy’s regular promotion of Crisis through his media and stage work was also vital in raising awareness and funds. We are incredibly grateful to be chosen as the beneficiaries of this very special evening.’

Smart was a regular with the Comedy Store Players improv troupe and and his long-time collaborators including Stephen Frost, Josie Lawrence and Neil Mullarkey will also perform on the June 3 gig.

Also on the bill at the Duchess Theatre are stand-ups Charlie Baker, Hal Cruttenden, Rufus Hound and Simon Munnery .

Smart began performing as a busker around Europe in the early 1980s before forming the comedy duo The Vicious Boys with Angelo Abela. Together they won the Time Out Street Entertainer Award in 1984. 

With the Vicious Boys and as a member of various improvised comedy troupes Andy performed all over the world and became a stalwart of the Edinburgh Fringe and Glastonbury Festivals.

The adventure-loving comedian ran with the bulls at Pamplona more than a dozen times. He presented Channel 4’s American Football coverage and was a weekly guest on TalkSport, covering non-league football, especially his beloved Farnborough FC, the Cheltenham Festival and annual Royal Shrovetide medieval-style football match.

Tickets for the show are available here, priced £25 to £45.

Published: 9 May 2024