Only handful of tickets left for Hospice show

Saturday 10 March 2018

There are only a few tickets left for Showtime, "a celebration of talent and the life of Gabrielle Robbé" put on by Jersey Hospice and local entertainment company Performers, tonight at 19:30 at Jersey Opera House.

With more than 40 acts and an overall cast of over 100 people, the show, headlined by ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, is one of the biggest to be performed on the stage of the Opera House.

All money raised from the evening will go directly to Jersey Hospice Care, which became a "sanctuary" for Gabrielle Robbé over the last 18 months of her life. Guy Browning, her husband, wrote: "It was where she could go to recharge her batteries when everything became too much, where she could spend a day a week in their Day Hospice making crafts, where she could go to take the pain way and ultimately where she died with dignity. I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am to everyone at Jersey Hospice Care for everything they did for Gabrielle. They are all very, very special people.

 "During Gabrielle’s illness she was contacted by many people who told her how much she had inspired them whether as an actress, dancer, choreographer, director, dance teacher or mentor. I know this is true of many of the performers you will see this evening. She was a very special lady. Gabrielle was extremely proud that her life touched and inspired so many and I know she would have been honoured that tonight’s performance is in memory of her life and in aid of Jersey Hospice Care."

Directed by Christophe Chateau, the show will feature a variety of styles and acts from magicians to singers and Bollywood dancers. Many of the UK acts coming over for the special evening have a personal connection to Gabrielle Robbé and will be performing new acts especially for Jersey Hospice. 

British ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, who won America’s Got Talent in 2015 with his puppet Sam, will wow crowds with his fast-paced lip-syncing. Chris Hayward, the UK’s number one pantomime dame, will perform one of the legendary Danny Le Rue's acts as the only person allowed to in the world. Jack Evans, a world champion tap dance currently performing in '42^nd Street' on the West End, is also part of the line-up.

Local performers will also take to the stage, including Sandy Warren, who works at the Hospice  In-Patient Unit, and will be singing his heart out as part of the show. 

Tickets for Showtime are priced from £30 to £55 for stall tickets and £130 for VIP tickets. They are available from the Opera House box office by calling 511115 or online.