Old Boys Matt Lucas and Ashley Blaker return to Habs

On Tuesday 27 March, the internationally renowned comic actor Matt Lucas and the equally acclaimed writer and comedian Ashley Blaker returned to their alma mater, The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, to give two performances. The first was a talk to Habs boys, where they spoke about their time at the School before opening up the floor for a Q&A session, and the second was a hilarious ‘in conversation’ performance later in the evening.

Using video clips, sound pieces and a multitude of impressions, Matt and Ashley treated the packed and delighted audience to a highly entertaining ‘travelogue’ of their time at the School, beginning (as every school term does at Habs) with a rousing rendition of ‘To be a Pilgrim’ and ending (again as each school term does) with Parry’s ‘Jerusalem’.

While reminiscing on what it had been like to grow up at Habs, often referred to in the media as ‘The Elstree School of Comedy’, former school characters were brought to life by the comic duos’ entirely affectionate humour, including tales of prank phone calls, damning school reports, sporting apathy, youthful stirrings of nascent careers in show business and of course reflections on comic japes hatched on the daily walk to and from the eponymous School Coach Park. Current members of staff such as Mr Holmes, Mr Bagguley and Mr Cook were also mentioned for their ability to inspire while sometimes being the subject of Habs boys’ notorious witty banter.

Matt Lucas said: “Ashley and I were delighted to be back at our old school. I have very fond memories of my time at Habs and still keep in touch with some of my teachers, that I’m astonished are still working here today! It’s been a truly worthwhile performance. All proceeds from the ticket sales go directly to the School’s Foundation and will be put towards bursaries for bright boys to receive an exceptional education that their parents could otherwise not afford.”

Ashley Blaker said: “Returning to Habs to perform with my good friend Matt, in front of a sold out Bourne Hall, was absolutely brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable. I’m thankful to Mr Llewellyn and his team for organising the event.”

The School would like to thank Matt and Ashley for giving up their time to come in and perform twice in one day!

Click here to view more photos from the day on our Facebook page

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