Hi fans. I was just informed that those of you in London Nov 15th will get a great opportunity to be entertained by Mel & help a great cause at the same time. The format of the event sounds like the London video Mel Brooks An Audience (1983), and if it turns out to be anything like this it’s an event no fan will want to miss. Several of the songs on the audio page were sung at the previous event! Those that can’t make it will have to hope a DVD of the event is released. The ticket form can be found at this site www.lrf.org.uk (follow link on right). Please see below:

Hi there
Just thought I\’d let you know about an exclusive Mel event happening in London soon. If you could put a bit of info on the site that would be great.

Thanks
Gary

MEL BROOKS JOINS LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH FUNDRAISING EFFORT
Film and stage legend Mel Brooks has announced plans for a one-off “audience with Mel Brooks” to raise funds for Leukaemia Research.

He will be live on stage at the Criterion Theatre, London, on Wednesday November 15, for a mix of chat, q and a and clips from his life’s work.

Mel Brooks will be interviewed on stage by Alan Yentob, Creative Director of the BBC. The two men have been close friends ever since Mr Yentob made a documentary for the old Arena programme “I thought I was taller – a short history of Mel Brooks.”

The event will be hosted by Alastair Campbell, chairman of fundraising for Leukaemia Research, and literary agent Ed Victor, a friend of both Mr Brooks and Mr Campbell.

Mr Victor suffers from leukaemia and says he owes his life to modern research into the disease.

Ed Victor said: “My cousin died of leukaemia after having treatment for it for 30 years – and now I am battling the disease too. It is so important to raise awareness of the cancer and I’m very grateful to Mel and Alan for helping us to do that.”

Alastair Campbell said: “Having met Mel Brooks recently to plan the event, I can confirm what a lot of people already know – that he is one of the funniest men ever. He is also very human and engaging and I think this will be a great night out. It also has a serious message, as we hope to raise more than £100,000.

“My best friend John Merritt died of leukaemia, then his daughter Ellie died of the same disease. Ed Victor has survived though still undergoes regular treatment and has been very open about the fact that he owes his life to research. But unless we can keep providing the funding for the research, leukaemia will continue to devastate families.”

The exclusive show will be held at the Criterion Theatre on Wednesday 15 November. Tickets are £250, which includes a champagne reception at 6pm, or £150 for the show alone – which starts at 8pm. For more details, contact Cathy Gilman on 020 7269 9004 or cgilman@lrf.org.uk

Ends
Ref:
Date

Alastair Campbell is available for interview to discuss the event – to arrange to speak to him please contact Clare Lipscombe in the Leukaemia Research press office on 020 7269 9068 or clipscombe@lrf.org.uk

Notes to Editor

1. Mel Brooks’ credits include the film ‘Blazing Saddles’ and film (and later stage musical) ‘The Producers’.

2. Over the next five years, Leukaemia Research urgently needs to raise over £100million to commit to new research. From basic laboratory research to clinical trials with patients, Leukaemia Research is committed to saving lives by funding high quality, carefully selected research throughout the UK.

3. Leukaemia Research is the only national charity devoted exclusively to improving treatments, finding cures and learning how to prevent leukaemia, Hodgkin\’s lymphoma and other lymphomas, myeloma and the related blood disorders, diagnosed in 24,500 people in the UK every year. Further information, including free patient information booklets, is available from www.lrf.org.uk or call 020 7405 0101.