Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the closing of theatres stage and screen actress Judi Dench has added her voice to those backing the exceptional fundraising efforts of the team behind the Theatre Support Fund+ .
Welcoming the news that the initiative launched by friends and theatre industry workers Chris Marcus and Damien Staunton in 2020 has raised over £800,000 for those hardest hit by the Covid closedown, the much-loved actress said: “I have been devastated by the effects the pandemic has had on the theatre industry but I am also proud of what we have achieved by standing together through these times.
“Chris and Damien at the Theatre Support Fund+ have done such profound work by raising this incredible amount of monies and have been able to help thousands of freelancers. There are still many workers who need our support and I am delighted to be able to support their campaign. I wish them all the best in their continued journey to help freelancers until our theatres can open again, The Show Must Go On!”
After winning the backing of the producers of 16 of the biggest musicals in the West End to create a design that uses their distinctive branding, the Theatre Support Fund+ a created a wide range of other merchandise with 100% of the profits split between theatre charities Acting for Others and the Fleabag Support Fund and the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.
Marking the latest fundraising milestone, the Theatre Support Fund+ has announced the rescheduling of their The Show Must Go On Live! concerts at the Palace Theatre, now due to run from to 2-6 June 2021. Casting and further information about the shows which had originally been due to play the Palace Theatre in November last year, will be announced soon.
Commenting on the shows, Marcus and Staunton said: “We cannot wait to bring this very special concert to the stage which will be a true celebration of the West End.
“We’re currently working hard with all of the shows involved to finalise plans and very soon we’ll be able to share with you all the exciting details about the show. We look forward to welcoming you to the Palace Theatre in June and thank you for your continued support’.”
Since the fund’s launch in the weeks after the pandemic hit, the taken over 70,000 orders for their merchandise with items shipped to 73 countries. The orders are packed daily by a small team of volunteers from within the West End theatre community. The £800,000 raised to date has helped thousands of workers who have had little or no work since theatres closed their doors in March 2020.
Since its inception the Theatre Support Fund+ has attracted support from some of the industry’s most famous names including Michael Ball, Christopher Biggins, Samantha Bond, Todrick Hall, Derek Jacobi, Lesley Joseph, Beverley Knight, Keira Knightley, Patti LuPone and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The show’s featured on the The Show Must Go On design are: & Juliet, The Book of Mormon, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Everyone’s Talking about Jamie, Hamilton, Les Misérables, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Matilda the Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, The Prince of Egypt, Six the Musical, Tina The Musical and Wicked.
Angela Thomas
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