West End Bares 2015 has just got more fabulous with the announcement that TV and radio host and West End star Graham Norton will host proceedings at the cheeky annual fundraiser.
Norton is one of many stars lending their support to the garment-free charity extravaganza, with Olivier Award nominated Memphis The Musical star Beverley Knight and Ru Paul’s Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio also among the celebrities due to make an appearance at the event’s 21:30 and midnight performances.
Now in its sixth year, the charity event in aid of the Make A Difference Trust gives theatre fans a chance to see their favourite performers in a very different light, as burlesque combines with West End theatricality for an evening of risqué fun.
Cast members from productions including American Idiot, Cats, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Gypsy, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, Memphis The Musical, Miss Saigon, Sinatra: The Man & His Music and Wicked are all due to perform at this year’s shows, which take place at Café De Paris on Sunday 20 September.
Also scheduled to appear are Strictly Come Dancing favourites Lisa Riley and Robin Windsor, comedian Joe Lycett, Velma Celli and The Supreme Fabulettes.
Speaking about West End Bares, Kinky Boots director Jerry Mitchell, who conceived Broadway Bares, on which it is based, said: “This is the sixth incarnation of West End Bares and it’s growing and growing and growing. The thing that’s most important about the show and the Stripathon fundraising campaign is that it’s an opportunity for the London theatre community to come together and make a difference.
“All of us are fortunate to do what we love and it’s wonderful to be able to help others. The money that’s raised goes to help people living with HIV and AIDS and that’s what’s fabulous about the West End Bares and MAD Trust and the great work they do. We’ll continue to produce the show until one day we hopefully won’t have to do them anymore.”
Tickets for West End Bares 2015 can be purchased from the Make A Difference Trust website.