The billing for this show seemed almost too good to be true.

Hastings' White Rock Theatre on a Tuesday night seemed an incongruous setting for a showcasing of some of the biggest names in British comedy.

Hosted by mock cheesy entertainer Lenny Beige, the flyer boasted a mouthwatering line-up including the likes of comics Dom Joly, Ruby Wax, Marcus Brigstocke and Rob Brydon, with music from Chas and Dave and The Divine Comedy.

Box office staff had also told customers to expect appearances from Steve Coogan and Catherine Tate.

The A-list line-up justified a ticket price of £25 but there was an understandable air of scepticism as the capacity audience of 1,000 filed in.

The long-haired man sitting to my right summed it up. "I think this could be a wind-up," he said. "Why would all those people be performing here tonight?"

His caution was partly well-founded, as Coogan, Tate, Joly and The Divine Comedy failed to materialise, with no explanation.

Lenny Beige explained the event was an attempt to revive the old seaside special shows which were a massive TV hit in the Sixties and Seventies.

The man who plays Lenny, Steve Furst, lives in Hastings and his superb compering was infused with local gags which the audience lapped up.

There were surprise appearances from established acts including mime duo Men In Coats and French rap/rockers Priorite a Gauche, who proved a star turn.

Ruby Wax was the first household name to appear, albeit briefly. She struck up with a squawking rendition of Shirley Bassey's Goldfinger before making a hasty exit.

Rob Brydon and Marcus Brigstocke provided better value with sets of ten minutes apiece which were warmly received.

The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for rockney duo Chas and Dave, who delighted with a medley of their hits.

Although some may have been slightly disappointed that the event failed to live up to its billing, Furst pulled off a significant coup by persuading his showbiz chums to appear and Hastings was privileged to witness an array of rare talent in a show which went on until almost midnight, raising £15,000 for children's charities.