Crowds help West End Flea Market raise over £45,500 for charity

The Only Fools and Horses company celebrate winning Best Dressed Stall at the West End Flea Market. Picture: Roy J Baron

Leading theatrical charity Acting For Others has revealed last weekend’s West End Flea Market raised over £45,500 – almost double the amount raised at the first West End Flea Market in 2019.

Thousands of people joined in the fun at St Paul’s Covent Garden where Christopher Biggins was joined by Michael Ball and Bridgerton’s Golda Rosheuvel to pass judgement on the stalls created by teams from shows including: Book of Mormon, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Mamma Mia!, Moulin Rouge, Only Fools and Horses the Musical, Pretty Woman, Six, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Phantom of The Opera and To Kill A Mockingbird.

For the second time in a row, the Only Fools and Horses team’s stall with attractions including its Reliant Robin made of pompoms, Del Boy’s sheepskin coat worn by Tom Bennett in the original stage production and a mini paddling pool version of Hook a Duck, was crowned Best Dressed Stall. The judges also got in on the act with an a cappella performance of ‘Down to Margate’.

Performers from a number of West End shows including Alice Fearn (Come From Away), Miriam Teak-Lee (& Juliet ), Jordan Luke Gage (Bonnie & Clyde) and Strictly Come Dancing’s Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev were on hand to sign autographs and pose for selfies. Dames on the day were Terence Frisch, Wayne Morgan-Williams and Jamie Steen while refreshments were provided by The Theatre Café.

Biggins Bargains, the Bargain Hunt-inspired activity, returned with items up for auction including a show-themed can of hairspray signed by Michael Ball, a backstage tour to meet the cast of Hamilton and a Pretty Woman dressing gown signed by Danny Mac. Flea Market favourite Physic Su Pollard also attracted the crowds eager to experience her unique brand of fortune-telling.

Merchandise was available to purchase from West End shows including & Juliet, Back to the Future, Cabaret, Frozen, Get Up, Stand Up, Heathers, My Fair Lady, The Drifters Girl and The Lion King .

Commenting on the event, Joel Marvin, director of fundraising for Acting For Others, said: “What an absolute joy it is to be back celebrating theatre, and to see the support for Acting For Others at this year’s West End Flea Market, raising our biggest total to date. Having been put on hold by the pandemic, it was particularly special to be back with so many people who share our love of theatre.

“The appetite for the West End is well and truly back, with queues around the corner once again. A huge thank you to the shows, our judges and ambassadors that took part to make Saturday such a success, and to every single person that turned up and queued to get in. We can’t wait to welcome you all back next year!”

Following on from the fundraising success of the annual West End Bake Off, West End Flea Market was created in 2019 as another star-studded fundraiser for Acting For Others, the umbrella organisation that represents 14 UK theatrical charities and offers emotional and financial support to members of the entertainment industry who have fallen on hard times. The inaugural event raised £26,000 for the charity.

Angela Thomas