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MARCH 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THEATRES RAISE A FANTASTIC £112,866 FOR GOOD CAUSES
With the last of the money now having been counted, once again across the UK, the theatre community has stepped up to truly make a difference.
Theatres across the UK joined forces in December 2011 to support TheatreMAD’s World AIDS Day bucket collections. Stars such as David Tennant, Matt Lucas, Catherine Tate and Vanessa Redgrave all threw their support behind this annual event which sees theatres, casts and front of house staff all rattle buckets to achieve a phenomenal result to support the Trust’s work.
The Make A Difference Trust provides hardship support to those living with HIV and other chronic health issues as well as funding educational projects to tackle HIV awareness, stigma and discrimination in both the UK and Africa.
The appeal was supported by theatres in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as across England and London’s West End.
Charity Director, Steven Inman said “We continue to be very humbled by the generosity of the theatre community and of course the great British public”.
In particular this year, the cast of ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ led by two of the worlds most respected actors; Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones at the Wyndhams Theatre, raised a remarkable £26,500 towards the appeal.
With a wide variety of granting programmes and fabulous fun events scheduled for 2012, the collection was a wonderful way to boost The Make A Difference Trust into their 21st anniversary year.
For more info please contact Steven Inman – Charity Director or telephone 0207 240 8206.
MAY 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEST END EUROVISION RAISES OVER £45,000
Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton join West End cast of Sweeney Todd to lift the West End Eurovision 2012 trophy high and celebrate a fantastic £45,000 raised for charity.
Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, stars of the hit West End revival of Sweeney Todd, joined with the cast to celebrate winning this years West End Eurovision 2012, in aid of The Make A Difference Trust; a charity which targets poverty and chronic ill health both in the UK and overseas. The event, which raised over £45,000 for the charities work, saw ten top West End casts compete in front of an audience of 2,000 excited theatre goers, including celebrities such as Pixie Lott, Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen.
The event, which was held at the iconic Dominion Theatre, home to top west end show 'We Will Rock You', was expertly hosted by Gaby Roslin and John Partridge with Toby Anstis and Kate Copstick reporting live from the red carpet and backstage. There were celebrity judges on hand to offer their critique in the expert form of Hollywood actress, Stefanie Powers; Radio legend Tony Blackburn and West End superstar Kerry Ellis, who also provided an impromptu performance of the Queen classic 'Somebody to Love' to a very appreciative audience during some small technical issues.
International recording artist and television personality Javine Hylton provided a fabulous interlude when she reprised her 2005 UK entry ‘Touch My Fire’.
Whilst the cast of Sweeney Todd won the best overall performance and best creative awards, the award for Best Ident was won by the London cast of Les Misérables.
All in all the show was another shining achievement for the entertainment industry charity which continues to pack a punch with top quality productions, showcasing the best the theatre industry has to offer whilst raising funds to really help make a difference!
Charity Director, Steven Inman said "West End Eurovision delivers on so many levels. It is a fun, high camp and glamorous way to spend an evening, but more than that it allows just some of the incredible talent, both on and off stage, that we have in the West End to showcase what they can do. At a time when everyone is concerned about the economy, the call on our hardship and support services has never been greater, and this is a fantastic way to raise funds so that we can make a difference in peoples lives, where it is really needed. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible"
JULY 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THEATREMAD ANNOUNCES TOP SPONSORS FOR WEST END BARES 2012
Following on from the amazing success of last years event, West End Bares 2012 is proud to announce sponsorship from some top class brands.
Sunday 2nd of September will see TheatreMAD once again bring together some of the hottest stars of London's West End stage as well as a cavalcade of celebrities and surprise guests to present West End Bares 2012 - On Your Marks...Get Set...Strip!
TheatreMAD is proud to announce that this year’s event will be supported by some amazing brands including GT Magazine; Prowler Stores; MAC Cosmetics; aussieBum, StageWon and Baseline.
Charity Director Steven Inman said “This is an amazing and fun event that sees some of the most incredible talent the West End has to offer, once again take front of stage to raise charitable funds for people in desperate need. We are so grateful to each and every sponsor that comes forward to help us deliver this event as without them we would not be able to do justice to what promises to be one of the must see events of the year”
The event, which raises funds for The Make A Difference Trust, was originally a concept by legendary Director and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Love Never Dies), West End Bares will play two shows (9:30pm and midnight), with over 100 of the hottest performers in town combining the naughtiness of burlesque with the razzle dazzle of the West End for one unique and un-missable night. The past two years has seen many people disappointed as the tickets sell fast for this unique and exciting event at London's legendary Café De Paris.
In addition, The Make A Difference Trust is pleased to announce that one of the recipient beneficiaries of this year’s event will be Positive East, a leading community-based HIV Charity which provides fully comprehensive and co-ordinated practical and emotional support for those people living with and affected by HIV in east London. Inman said “We have worked with Positive East for the past couple of years and the difference they make to people’s lives and the community as a whole is immense. We are pleased to be able to support them in some small way through this event.
