FROM now until Christmas is a busy time for charity events and the first one of the season takes place tomorrow night with an entertainment line up that sets a dizzyingly high standard and is bound to make many a rival charity committee member blanche.

Paul Newman's Kildare based pet project, Barretstown Gang Camp, is holding its first benefit gala and the evening will also mark the official opening of the Smurfit Childrens Theatre. Entertainment for the £500 a ticket gala will be provided by Kenneth Branagh, who is directing a performance called Shakespeare `n' Stuff Star turns will include appearances by Richard Briers, John Sessions and Brian Blessed who are flying in for the evening and Brenda Fricker, Anita Dobson (EastEnders) and Bird Of A Feather Pauline Quirke. Not enough? The Chieftains will also perform.

For the auction Mr Newman has persuaded his pals to donate an eclectic bunch of items ranging from a Castlemartin raised heifer from Chryss O'Reilly to a basketball from Whoopi Goldberg. The suave Philip Myerscough will be the man with the gavel.

Michael Smurfit, who donated the £1 million that built the theatre, will cut the ribbon but superstar spotters will be disappointed - Paul Newman has to attend another Hole in the Wall charity gala in the US this weekend and can't make it.