HARRY Enfield, Dominic West and Adrian Scarborough are among the big name guests due to appear at this year’s Spirit of Christmas event in Oxford.

The annual musical evening – in aid of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (MDC) – takes place on Wednesday at 7.30pm, in the Sheldonian Theatre.

Also set to attend are actress and producer Karen Lewis-Attenborough, critically-acclaimed actor Tobias Menzies and Howard’s Way star Jan Harvey.

They will join previously announced readers Oliver Milburn, the former Green Wing actor, and his wife Katie Razzall, a BBC Newsnight correspondent, as well as London Voices soloist Elizabeth Drury.

Our top stories

Material performed will include Christmas-themed work by popular writers, such as Dylan Thomas, A A Milne and Ted Hughes.

Organisers this week announced the final line-up for the fundraiser, for which tickets are still available. It is supported by the Oxford Mail’s sister paper, The Oxford Times.

Oxford Mail:

  • Dominic West

MDC event co-ordinator Zoe Williams said: “We are delighted to announce the full line-up for this year’s Spirit of Christmas evening, and know our audience are going to be in for a real treat.

“Being able to offer performances from such experienced and versatile readers, as well as hauntingly beautiful music from Elizabeth and the choir in our iconic new home, is a real privilege.

“This is great opportunity to raise thousands towards research and support that could help transform the lives of children and adults with muscle-wasting conditions. We are delighted with the support the event has received.”

Proceeds from Spirit of Christmas go towards research and support services funded by the MDC. It funds research being carried out at Oxford University by scientists looking for treatments of conditions that weaken and waste muscles over time, sometimes significantly shortening life expectancy.

And in addition the MDC also supports about 600 people in Oxfordshire living with muscle-wasting conditions. Last year’s gathering raised £15,000 and attracted about 550 guests.

Spirit of Christmas was in previous years held at Christ Church Cathedral, but this year organisers announced it would instead take place in the Sheldonian Theatre. Ticket prices range from £10 to £40. There is also an opportunity to attend a post-concert champagne reception.

For more information, call 020 7803 2856 or email events@muscular-dystrophy.org


Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.