London theatres will be doing their bit for charity this autumn with money being raised for both Children In Need and TheatreMad.
Mamma Mia!, the hit musical inspired by the songs of ABBA, is staging a gala performance of the show at the Prince of Wales theatre on 18 November in aid of the BBC’s Children In Need.
BBC London 94.9FM presenters Paul Ross, JoAnne Good, Vanessa Feltz and Danny Baker will introduce the glamorous gala, with the money from ticket sales going to the BBC’s annual campaign to help disadvantaged children in the UK.
Judy Craymer, producer of the musical, said: “Mamma Mia! has always been keen to support Children In Need in some form, so it’s fantastic that the charity can benefit from the revenue of this special performance.”
Meanwhile, theatres across the West End will be participating in TheatreMAD’s World AIDS Day Theatre Bucket Collections between 23 November and 6 December.
The campaign, run by the Make A Difference Trust and fronted this year by stage and screen star Patrick Stewart, aims to raise money to help people living with HIV and AIDS, as well as entertainment professionals living with long-term medical conditions.
Last year almost 200 theatres across the UK participated in the bucket collections, raising around £100,000.
This year’s event culminates on 6 December with a seasonal fundraising show at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden .
CB