Hello December; my absolute favourite month of the year!
If you’re looking for gifts for a loved one and need some inspiration, do not fret my friends because I’ve got you covered with our guide of Christmas gifts for theatre fans. And if you end up treating yourself to something at the end of it, I’m not judging you. 2020 has been a difficult one and I’m certainly going to pamper myself.
Theatre Tokens
Whether you’re buying a gift for your theatre buddy or your parents who deserve a much-needed date night, Theatre Tokens are a brilliant gift option. They can be purchased from the comfort of your own home, have absolutely no expiry date and can be used at more than 260 venues across the country, including London’s West End! Choose from e-gifts or gift cards and if you opt for the latter, you can pick from a selection of show or festive themed ones, making them even more special. Have them delivered to your loved ones straight to their inbox or to their front door. It’s quick, easy and safe!
And if that’s not enough to convince you, we are certain this will… because Theatre Tokens is run by not-for-profit organisations Society Of London Theatre and UK Theatre, you can rest reassured that every penny you spend with us is supporting the industry in a time when it’s so needed.
Theatre Artists Fund donation
The Coronavirus pandemic has meant that many theatre professionals have faced long periods of being unable to work and a large number of freelancers and theatre workers have been unable to claim through any of the Government coronavirus support schemes. Through the fund we launched in July with Sam Mendes, we’ve been able to provide emergency support for 2,600 theatre workers and freelancers across the UK who face urgent and critical financial support.
We surveyed some of the people who have already received £1000 grants from the Theatre Artists Fund, and 85% of participants said the grant helped them pay their bills, mortgage or rent, with 62% saying it helped them put food on the table. The Theatre Artists Fund has been a lifeline to so many; you can read some more of the personal stories of beneficiaries on the Theatre Artists Fund website here.
If the theatre industry is important to your loved ones, please do consider donating to the Theatre Artists Fund on their behalf as there are still many people who require our help. Donations of any size are welcome and come with a printable/email voucher which will inform the recipient that you’ve donated on their behalf.
Royal Albert Hall prints by Christie Goodwin
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Swan Lake, the Olivier Awards 2019, Close Up Photo Print (Credit: Christie Goodwin)
The Royal Albert Hall is now selling iconic prints from the 2019 Olivier Awards, taken by acclaimed photographer Christie Goodwin. Whether your loved ones are fans of Six, Come From Away, Tina Turner The Musical or Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, there is plenty to choose from with a variety of sizes and frame colours. All proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Theatre Artists Fund so not only will you be gifting someone a beautiful photograph, but you’ll also be contributing towards helping theatre workers in need. It’s a win, win!
Marshfield Farm Ice Cream
If your loved ones are planning on cosying up with some virtual theatre fixes over the festive season, we’ve got the perfect interval treat! Marshfield Farm ice cream has been enjoyed by thousands of theatregoers at many prestigious venues over the years and now, you can gift some to your friends and family.
Working closely with their partners, LW Theatres, Marshfield Farm have introduced a new Taste of the Theatre Mix into their national home delivery service, as a special fundraiser for the Theatre Artists Fund.
The exclusive mix is priced at £10 and contains four best-selling theatre flavours: Vanilla Clotted Cream, Blackcurrants in Clotted Cream, Mint Choc Chip and Chocoholic Heaven. Wrapped in sustainable insulation, packed in boxes containing dry ice and posted for next-day delivery across the country, all you have to do is hop online and click order! What’s more, with every purchase, £2 will be donated to the Theatre Artists Fund, supporting theatre workers with critical and urgent financial needs.
The Show Must Go On! merchandise
From stocking fillers to stagey clothing, The Show Must Go On! has some brilliant merch that your theatre loving friends and family will absolutely adore, and the best news of all is that proceeds go to charity!
The creators of The Show Must Go On! merchandise, the Theatre Support Fund + have raised over half a million pounds for charities Acting For Others, The Fleabag Support Fund and NHS COVID-19 Urgent Appeal and they’re not showing any signs of stopping just yet.
Choose from hoodies and t-shirts to tote bags, face masks, notebooks and more, all adorned with the iconic design; an amalgamation of the 16 biggest West End Musicals. Having been recognised internationally with orders sent to 70 different countries across the globe, this stagey merch is guaranteed to earn you some brownie points, all whilst raising money for charity.
Dear Audience theatrical coffee table book
If you’d like to add a little theatrical sparkle into your friends homes, this new Dear Audience theatrical coffee table book is the perfect gift!
With exclusive imagery, personalised letters to the Audiences and more, this book is a celebration of Theatre and everyone who works in it. Filled with over 140 pages, the beautiful book features Lucie Jones, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Cedric Neal, Lambert Jackson Productions, Layton Williams, Alice Fearn, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Rachel Tucker, Carl Man, Paul Taylor-Mills, Sejal Keshwala, Frances Ruffelle and so many more of your theatre faves.
What’s more, 15% from profits will be donated to Applause For Thought, a triple award-winning organisation that facilitates lower-cost Mental Health; support, talks, accredited courses and bespoke Mental Health and Well-being Consultancy for all those working within the Arts and Entertainment Industry. Click that button below to order yours now!
Christmas Cards Restaged by New Perspectives Theatre Company
New Perspectives Theatre Company are producing six limited edition Christmas cards created by six renowned UK theatre makers: 1927, Tim Etchells, Eve Leigh, Selina Thompson, Jane Upton and Jatinder Verma. Each card reimagines traditional yuletide messages and the artists have each designed the front and inside of a card to create a handheld piece of artwork which can be kept as a curio, given as a gift, or, for a small donation, sent to someone who might be isolated this Christmas. If you’re looking to gift something really unique this Christmas, this ticks all the boxes.
Love From Cleethorps; A drama in six postcards
In addition to their redesigned Christmas Cards, New Perspectives Theatre are also presenting a Christmas extension of their postcard drama, Love From Cleethorpes.
At a time when our connections to each other have been put on hold, New Perspectives has created an innovative and COVID-safe way to immerse rural audiences in an original bite-size drama. Told through six unique postcards mailed directly to your door, this is a great opportunity to rediscover the joy and beauty of written correspondence through a story of young love, lost love and new beginnings.
Beautiful handmade items from The Alliance of Theatrical Seamsters (ALOFTS)
If you’re looking for some beautiful handmade items, I’m certain you’ll find something to snap up in ALOFTS online shop. The Alliance Of Theatrical Seamsters was started during the pandemic to financially support self-employed theatrical seamsters who are unable to continue the work they love. From Christmas stockings and present sacks to face masks, tote bags, there’s so a variety to choose from. These gifts will be truly treasured by theatre fans are they are made by the makers of your favourite costumes from hit shows such as Mamma Mia, Wicked, We Will Rock You, Cabaret, and many, many more.
The wonderful team will even take the stress away from you this Christmas with their new Gift Wrap service. Simply select “Yes Please!” when asked if you would like your item wrapping, and they’ll stick a little note on each to let you know which present is which. Go ahead and treat yourself too, I know I will be!
Gifts from small businesses owned by theatre professionals
Not On The West End is a brilliant place to find small businesses run by theatre professionals, so if you’d like to bag the perfect gift while supporting those who help to create your favourite shows, read on!
Every seller is someone who usually makes their living from working in UK theatre, but has been forced to use their talents in other ways whilst theatres are closed because of the pandemic. From costume makers and stage managers to opera singers and office staff from shows like Pretty Woman, Hamilton, Prince of Egypt, and Les Mis and more, there is so much talent on offer!
They’re creating art, jewellery, clothing, home décor, bespoke gifts and even have two engravers on board! There’s crochet and macramé, graphic design and photography, businesses with a focus on ethical production and ones that highlight body positivity, so hop on over, as I’m sure you’ll find something perfect for that stagey friend of yours.
Interval drinks with Virgin Wines
Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre (our parent companies) have partnered with Virgin Wines to offer theatre fans a fantastic deal on wine, so you can get that interval experience from the comfort of your home.
The special offer gives you a HALF PRICE saving on 12 luxurious wines worth £131.88, now only £65.88 with free express delivery direct to your door.
Plus, for every order, Virgin Wines will donate £10 on your behalf to help us continue to support theatres and theatre workers so severely affected by the current pandemic. Not only will this bring a little bit of the theatre experience to your loved ones home, but the offer also acts as the perfect introduction to Virgin Wines’ WineBank service which allows you, as a member, to earn 20% interest on the money you save, giving you big discounts on the wines you want… and all with free express delivery as standard. Gift some wine and bag yourself a cheeky discount too! What’s not to love?
Shop via AmazonSmile to donate to the Theatre Artists Fund at no extra charge
If you’re a theatre fan who is a regular Amazon shopper, did you know that when you shop via AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to your favourite charitable organisation at no extra cost to you? Yes, that’s right!
AmazonSmile offers all the same products at the same prices and with all the same services you’d expect from Amazon, except with one difference. When you use AmazonSmile, the retailer will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the charity of your choice. Select The Theatre Development Trust as your chosen charity, and you’re set to go!
If you’re new to AmazonSmile, click here for our handy how-to guide.