Joanna Riding joins Michael Xavier in a number from The Pajama Game in You’ll Never Walk Alone at the Queen’s Theatre, London. Picture: Roy Tan
Among the names that have been added to the line-up for today’s special one-night-only concert You’ll Never Walk Alone at the Queen’s Theatre in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal are Brit Award-winning vocal group Blake, stage and screen star Luke Evans and multi award-winning actress Juliet Stevenson.
Several special performances announced for the concert include:
• Michael Xavier and Joanna Riding performing a specially arranged duet version of ‘Hey There’ from the forthcoming West End revival of The Pajama Game.
• The UK premiere of the new Broadway version of ‘Magic to Do’ from Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin.
• A rarely performed song by Irving Berlin called ‘Heaven Watch the Philippines’, recently unearthed by Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatricals Europe.
• A brand new translation of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from Carousel created in Filipino dialects Tagalog and Cebuano.
• Musical moments from Miss Saigon, The Witches of Eastwick, Just So, Disney’s Frozen, Mary Poppins and Avenue Q.
Names already confirmed include host Gok Wan, Danielle Hope, Strictly’s Pasha and Katya, Cynthia Erivo, Cassidy Janson, Britain’s Got Talent’s Francine Lewis, Hannah Waddingham, Joseph Apostol, Hugh Maynard, Emmanuel Vass and Avenue Q original London cast members Julie Atherton, Jon Robyns, Simon Lipkin and Giles Terera. The concert will also feature an ensemble of Filipino performers.
Blake will appear for a special performance. Mixing eclectic classical and pop songs with rich harmony vocals, Blake continue to build their reputation as one of the most eclectic pop-harmony groups in the world.
Luke Evans will make his first appearance on the West End stage since 2008 during a section of the gala celebrating Boublil and Schönberg’s Miss Saigon. Evans is best known to theatre audiences for his roles in productions including Piaf, Rent, Avenue Q and Miss Saigon. He has since gone on to star in Hollywood films including Clash of the Titans, Tamara Drewe, The Three Musketeers and in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit Trilogy.
Juliet Stevenson will speak about the Philippines Typhoon Appeal, and how the proceeds from the concert will reach those in need. Stevenson’s many notable theatre roles include Hedda Gabler and Death and the Maiden, for which she won the Best Actress Olivier Award in 1992. Her many screen credits include Anthony Minghella’s film Truly, Madly, Deeply, A Doll’s House, The Politician’s Wife and the recent BBC series Accused. She is currently starring in Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days at the Young Vic Theatre.
Other speakers confirmed for the concert include broadcaster Adrian Chiles and Emmerdale’s Fiona Wade.
A special prize draw has also been launched, with prizes including a return flight to Manilla, a Gucci handbag, a private screening of Liam Neeson thriller Non-Stop, goods donated by Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen and dinner at Jamie Oliver’s 15 restaurant. To enter text HOPE to 70000* to donate £5 to the DEC’s Philippines Typhoon Appeal. All winners will be notified by text by Friday 7 March 2014. Details of all prizes on offer can be found at www.westendunites.com**.
On 7 November 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most intense tropical storms ever to make landfall anywhere in the world, struck the Philippines. Millions were affected by torrential rain, winds of over 140mph and flooding of up to 15 feet, devastating coastal areas. More than 14 million people have had their lives torn apart, with approximately 590,000 homes completely destroyed and well over four million people forcibly displaced due to the destruction.
You’ll Never Walk Alone – The West End Unites for the Philippines is a one-night-only gala concert in support of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which brings together 14 of the UK’s leading aid charities to raise money in order to quickly reach those in need. The money raised will contribute to the ongoing need for emergency shelter, clean water and food as well as helping survivors rebuild their lives.
The event has been instigated by the UK based theatre Filipino community, many of whom moved to the United Kingdom in the 1990s to take part in the original production of Miss Saigon, produced by Cameron Mackintosh.
You’ll Never Walk Alone is directed by Jacqui Sanchez and choreographed by Grant Murphy, with musical direction by Alan Berry. It is produced by Paul Spicer and Matt Firth for Stage Acts Productions with the support of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres. Avenue Q puppets are by Paul Jomain – www.Qpuppets.co.uk.
The gala takes place at the Queen’s Theatre on Sunday 2 March 2014 at 7.30pm Tickets are on sale from £32.50, with all proceeds going directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee.
* Text messages are free but donations will be added to the bill and you must have bill payer’s permission.
** Please note that some prizes may require collection in person from a central London location.
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