Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER Published: 04 October 2007
Animal lover Brand lives with his cat Morrisey
Russell answers the call and is happy to lend a Brand
Comedian set to top the bill at ‘secret’ animal charity gig in Hampstead
EVENTS at Burgh House are normally known for their intellectual rigour, its drawing room talks graced by thinkers that include Alan Bennett, John Le Carré, Doris Lessing and Jonathan Miller.
So it’s a break from tradition that foul-mouthed and risqué comedian Russell Brand is set to top the bill in a secret charity gig for an animal sanctuary.
The evening has been arranged by one of his Hampstead neighbours who knocked on his door with a plate of home-cooked brownies as a welcome present and asked if he may have an evening spare for her.
Although the details are yet to be ironed out, the New End Queen Anne building – a stone’s throw from Brand’s new terraced Hampstead home – is rumoured to have sold out tickets at £30 each as fans of the wild-haired broadcast personality and newspaper columnist queue to hear him wax lyrical about the state of the planet.
Animal lover Mr Brand moved to Hampstead with his pet cat Morrisey earlier this year and has made friends – as well as taking up the invitation of doing a gig, he has been spotted in The Flask pub in Flask Walk, despite not drinking.
It has also been reported that he offered people living in his quiet cul-de-sac signed photographs in return for extra visitors parking permits.
Neighbour Angela Humphreys, who holds charity events for the Mayhew Animal Home, had invited him to a charity lunch at her home in the summer that raised £1,800, but he could not make it.
She said: “We invited him along but didn’t hear anything, so a lady who lives in his street who is rather blonde and leggy knocked on his door with a plate of brownies and asked if he would be prepared to help another way. We are thrilled that he said yes.”
And it is busy days for Mr Brand. He has recently completed a sell-out stand up tour, and is about to make his big screen debut. The West Ham supporter will reprise one of the best-loved characters in British cinema as he takes a leading role in a remake of the St Trinians films, due to be released in January.
Playing alongside the more traditional looking heart throb Colin Firth, Brand has taken on the role of greasy spiv Flash Harry, originally made famous by Cockney legend George Cole.
Burgh House trustees chair Matthew Lewin, who hosts the sessions by guests in the ‘Lifelines’ series, said he was not surprised the motor mouth comedian had agreed to play at the centre.
He said: “It is a special place. The drawing room has a lovely ambience about it.”
A spokesman for the Mayhew Animal Trust, who will benefit, said they had not confirmed the gig, but the New Journal has learnt that the booking has been pencilled in for Sunday November 18.
Mr Brand remained tight lipped about the quality of the cookies that swung the deal. When the New Journal contacted him, he refused to discuss the gig, saying merely: “Speak to my agent.”
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