Hollywood star Josh Hartnett is among the many stars confirmed for this year’s Old Vic 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala, which takes place at the Waterloo venue on 30 November.
Hartnett, who is currently appearing opposite Adam Godley in Rain Man, joins Jenny Agutter, Hugh Bonneville, Hamish Clark, Julia Davis, Martin Freeman, Henry Goodman, Ilan Goodman, David Harewood, Jessica Hynes, Jenny Jules, Dervla Kirwan, Martina Laird, Sally Phillips, Tim Pigott-Smith, Michelle Ryan and Lia Williams in the frantic fundraising event. More names are expected to be announced prior to the day.
Launched in 2004, the 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala sees six short pieces devised, written, rehearsed and performed in the space of just one day. Joining the on stage talent for the theatrical challenge this year are directors Tamara Harvey, Clare Lizzimore, Anna Mackmin, Jonathan Munby and Josie Rourke, and writers Amelia Bullmore, Moira Buffini, Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks. The event will be presented by Capital Radio breakfast DJ Johnny Vaughan and Gavin And Stacey creator James Corden.
The Old Vic Artistic Director Kevin Spacey said of the gala: “The 24 Hour Plays is a quite brilliant, exhilarating event for everyone concerned. We’re delighted that such a terrific cast of actors is already on board, and that Johnny and James have agreed to hold it all together as hosts. This is adrenaline fuelled theatre and the audience is in for a real treat.”
The 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala is staged annually at the Old Vic to raise funds for Old Vic New Voices, the theatre’s department which works with young people, to develop emerging talent and build new audiences.
Currently playing at the Old Vic is The Norman Conquests, Alan Ayckbourn’s trilogy of plays – Table Manners, Living Together and Round And Round The Garden – which tells the story of one turbulent weekend in the country by showing the action which takes place in three different rooms. The Norman Conquests stars Hynes and Bullmore, who are both taking part in the 24 Hour Plays, alongside Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter and Amanda Root.
MA