Comedian Ashley Blaker offers ‘pay what you like’ shows

As Covid-19 threatens to bring much of the entertainment industry to a grinding halt, some performers are moving their shows online to lift spirits during the lockdown.

Among those endeavouring to make staying in more fun is the comedian Ashley Blaker, who is now offering “pay what you like” shows – and  shuls, charities, schools and yeshivas in the UK and the US have already taken him up on his offer, he revealed.

“This is a way for me to give back to the community and to help those institutions that are struggling both in terms of morale and finance. There’s rightly been a lot of talk about the heroic contribution of frontline workers. I hope I can also use my skills to contribute and hopefully lift spirits in the community all over the world,” he said.

Blaker’s hit Off-Broadway show Strictly Unorthodox and Prophet Sharing, his double-act with the comedian Imran Yusuf, are currently available to stream for free on YouTube.

Last month, Blaker released a 100-page comedy quarantine read, available to download for free on his website.