On Sunday 12th April, celebrities including Christopher Biggins, Jaki Graham, Shazia Mirza and Doreen Tipton will be streamed live into people’s living rooms as part of a three-hour show. Hosted by Phil Oldershaw, the digital black tie bash will bring a little light relief to lockdown, encouraging friends and families to enjoy the streamed spectacular together… albeit whilst in their own homes.

Cook-a-longs with Michelin star chefs Glynn Purnell (pictured) and Aktar Islam, as well as Great British Menu star Alex Claridge, will serve up the perfect remedy for a fortnight indoors. Teamed with cocktail master classes from some of Brum’s finest mixologists and a communal ‘cork pop’ to kick things off, this is a house party not to be missed.

The dress code is ‘sofa chic’ as Brum sits back and enjoys an incredible array of performances, all curated by Elegant Entertainment. Around 100 performers will take part in the show, which will boast a mixed of live-streamed and pre-recorded performances; featuring pianists, singers, acoustic guitarists and saxophonists. Performers from The Greatest Showman, which debuted at Marco Pierre White Birmingham last summer, will bring contortionists, snake charming, fire breathing and trapeze artists to viewer’s screens. In addition to stints from comedy legends, a Gospel choir, and even a fifty-piece orchestra, whose solo home-performances will be brought together for an incredible virtual spectacle.

Brum’s Big Black Tie Bash is the brainchild of Ben and Chloe Grey, the husband and wife duo behind Elegant Entertainment, and delivered in partnership with host Phil Oldershaw.

Speaking about the event, Ben said: “We’re all living through a pretty crazy time at the moment and it’s hard on everyone, for different reasons. We wanted to do something that brought a little light relief to people’s lives; three hours to sit back and enjoy some incredible performances, alongside food and drink demos, but in a way that we can all feel like we’re together again! Being a virtual show gives us loads of flexibility in terms of both live and pre-recorded performances, and it means that we can really push people to get on social media and share their evening with friends, family and fellow viewers.

“It’s also a chance for us performers to get back out there; it’s set to be a very quiet, and somewhat challenging, few months with no revenue coming in. By charging a nominal amount for tickets we can help performers, who love to entertain people, earn a bit of money. Plus, we’re also donating some of the sales direct to the real heroes of Covid-19… the NHS!”

Star of TV, radio, online and many city events Phil Oldershaw, who will be hosting this incredible evening, adds: “Just because we’re in lockdown and can’t paint the town red, doesn’t mean we have to let our glad-rags gather dust. We’ve opened our little black book and called on our friends across Brum and beyond to help us put on one fun and extravagant house party! I hope everyone joins us for an evening of much-needed entertainment that will also help some great causes!”