Orangaid

Went to a comedy benefit gig this week in aid of the Sumatran Orangutan Society. The show, called Orangaid, was to help raise funds to protect the survival of these ginger apes. It’s estimated that there are less than 7,000 of them in the wild today. 15 years ago this number was in excess of 12,000, and if this trend continues the orangutan will be extinct in 10 years time.

Orangaid was hosted by Simon Munnery and on the bill were Nina Conti (and Monk), Bollo (from The Mighty Boosh), Alistair Barrie, Tim Minchin, Jason Manford and (patron of the S.O.S.) Bill Bailey.

Tim Minchin delivered a set of four of his songs, including the environmental song Canvas Bags and Prejudice, while Jason Manford had all the men squirming with his “what’s more painful” routine. Best act of the night though (imo) was the relatively unknown Alistair Barrie. If you get a chance to see him somewhere, then do so!

As a regular attendee of comedy nights in London, it was a shame that only Conti and Barrie didn’t rely on material that I’ve already seen but the night was still a comedy success.