Shaun Micallef, Judith Lucy, Wil Anderson & More Unite For 'Gala For Gilbo' Comedy Fundraiser

Melbourne's Palais Theatre will ring out with laughter this July, when a group of Australia's finest comedy talents come together for a fundraiser show in support of veteran Aussie entertainer Russell Gilbert.

Hosted by Mick Molloy, the Gala For Gilbo event will welcome a raft of celebrated local comedians to the stage in service of raising money for the former Hey Hey, It's Saturday cast member, who has suffered a string of personal and medical misfortunes since late 2015, including the tragic death of his long-time partner, Rochelle Nolan, as well as a brain aneurysm and ensuing stroke.

Among the funny people committed to the cause are Shaun Micallef, Judith Lucy, Glenn Robbins, Wil Anderson, Denise Scott, Brian Nankervis, Lehmo, Bob Franklin, Colin Lane, Richard Stubbs, Lawrence Mooney, Trevor Marmalade and Dave Hughes, as well as ex-Hey Hey mainstays Red Symons and Wilbur Wilde, plus a very special appearance from the temporarily reformed Scared Weird Little Guys, who will play their first shows in almost five years at this event and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Additionally, long-time friends who are unable to make it in the flesh — Rob Sitch and Daryl Somers among them — will record special messages for Gala For Gilbo, and a silent auction will be held for an array of 'big-ticket' items to bid on prior to the show and during interval.

All profits raised by Gala For Gilbo will go towards Gilbert's rehabilitation and ongoing care, in order to help the man get back on his feet following a truly difficult period.

"Russell Gilbert is like a big brother to me," Molloy said in a statement. "He is one of the funniest blokes I've ever met, on or off the stage, and he's coming off a pretty bad year that has involved some pretty major battles.

"Gilbo has always been there for many of us when we needed him, and now it's our turn to help out a mate. Not one person we asked to be part of this show said no … I think that says a lot about the man. Come along and enjoy the greatest line-up of comics you will ever see under the one roof in this lifetime. I can't wait for this night.

"Comics love an excuse to get together and have a few laughs, especially when it's for a good cause and a good bloke like Gilbo. I think this night, for many reasons, will be one we all remember fondly, especially Russell, who's been doing it tough for a while now."

Molloy's sentiments were echoed by the man at the centre of all the fuss, who proves typically jokey even in humility: "It's so great to know you have such amazing support from your friends," he said. "What a line-up of comics! The best in the country. And Mick as well."

Frontier Touring members will have first run at tickets for this event, with a pre-sale running from 12 noon AEST on this Wednesday, 18 May, until the same time on Thursday, 19 May, or the allocation is exhausted. General-release tickets go on sale from 10am AEST on Monday, 23 May, via Ticketmaster.

For more information, see Frontier's website.