Check out all the latest episodes of Backstage Curry, hosted by Mark Curry, in aid of Acting for Others!

This podcast series finds Mark Curry in conversation with a range of guests with a view to asking the main questions – How did you do it? What’s it really like? What’s it like to play a leading role in a West End musical? What’s it like to represent the UK at The Eurovision Song Contest? What’s it like being on Strictly Come Dancing? What does it feel like to become famous? How is your event organised? What’s it like to play on Centre Court?

In each episode, Mark delves into the detail. The process. The discipline required. The challenges and the rewards. These unique, peering under the bonnet conversations give honest authentic insights to the questions we’d all love to ask our fantasy dinner party guests.

Actor and presenter, Mark Curry, has created this Podcast series called, “Backstage Curry”. Episodes feature, “behind the scenes” chat with performers, broadcasters and creatives. The series is raising funds for, “Acting For Others”, by providing listeners with an opportunity to donate via the charity’s website or donations link.

Mark, who amongst his many other TV and theatre appearances, completed two 16 month runs as “The Wizard” in the London production of “Wicked”, and a 9 month run in “The Woman in Black” in the West End says, “I am fascinated about how other performers prepare for shows and how shows or events are put together. I’m hoping listeners will be interested too and, after listening, will be inspired to donate to, “Acting For Others”, thereby supporting any industry professionals currently facing financial or emotional challenges”. So far, “Backstage Curry”, includes conversations with the current, “Wicked”, leading lady, Alexia Khadime, West End and Doctor Who star, Bonnie Langford. Plus, Debbie McGee talking about her, “Strictly”, experience and singer, Sonia, reminiscing about Eurovision and losing by an agonising one point! Other guests include Harriet Thorpe, Jenny Seagrove, Ruth Langsford, Yvette Fielding, Cheryl Baker, Shakatak and tennis legend Margaret Court.

The Podcast is available wherever you download your podcasts and is produced by Andy Barker.

If you’d like to support my charity of choice, Acting for Others, who support all those working in theatrical professions, please follow the link below.

https://actingforothers.co.uk/donate/

Huge congratulations to Ambassador La Voix who will be appearing on BBC Strictly this coming Autumn!

GO TEAM LA VOIX!

The Big West End Walk is back on Sunday 7 September, led by West End Charity Football Club.

Now in its third year, the event sees performers and supporters walk 15 miles across central London, stopping at 58 West End-based theatres.

The walk will once again be led by West End Charity Football Club captain Jon-Scott Clark, whose credits include Hamilton and Miss Saigon, alongside Les Misérables’ Jonny Phillips. The pair first launched the initiative in 2023. Last year’s walk raised over £4,000 for Acting for Others. Participants in 2024 included Caroline Sheen, Gary Wilmot, Ben Stock, Harriet Thorpe, John Partridge, Michael Jibson and Tom Read Wilson.

A limited number of places are available for members of the public who wish to take part.

This year we have limited places to invites individuals to join in solo or with friends and family, with all proceeds going to support Acting for Others . Get in touch to find out more.

Donations can be made at: https://actingforothers.enthuse.com/cf/the-big-west-end-walk-2025.

A record breaking for Acting for Others!

WEFM 2025 was held on Saturday 17 May at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden.

This year, The Book of Mormon was crowned the Best Dressed Stall, in the competition judged by Christopher Biggins, Dame Arlene Phillips and Janie Dee. The stall included show memorabilia and exclusive props used in the show for sale. They also had a game of ‘Spooky Mormon Hoopla’ for participants to play, for a chance to win a selfie or a signed polaroid.

Most West End shows took stalls at the event, including Back to The Future, Cabaret, Clueless, Hadestown, Hamilton, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Mean Girls, Moulin Rouge!, Operation Mincemeat, The Phantom of the Opera, SIX The Musical, Stiletto, The Book of Mormon, The Devil Wears Prada, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, The Mousetrap, The Play That Goes Wrong, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical and Titanique.

Stars in the church taking selfies and signing posters and goodies for fans included Bronté Barbé, Luke Bayer, Christopher Biggins, Joanne Clifton, Janie Dee, Alfred Enoch, Clare Foster, Em Hoggett, Shanay Holmes, Derek Jacobi, Cassidy Janson, Lily Kerhoas, Alexia Khadime, Debbie Kurup, Josephina Lewis Ortiz, Robert Lindsay, Simon Lipkin, Toby Marlow, Ewan Miller, Lucy Moss, Grace Mouat, Natalie Paris, Mason Park Alexander, Dame Arlene Phillips, Dianne Pilkington, Peter Polycarpou, Sophia Priolo, David Rintoul, Caroline Sheen, Giles Terera, Harriet Thorpe, Rachel Tucker, Tom Read Wilson and Lucy St Louis.

Acting for Others Co-Chairman Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen said in a statement: “We are delighted that the West End Flea Market is going from strength to strength and the wonderful amount raised, which is significantly higher than previous years. Thank you to everyone that attended, supported, and made the event so successful.”

Photo credit: Bonnie Britain

150 Early bird tickets for the West End Flea Market will go on sale on Thursday 17th April at 10am via Design my Night.

Tickets: The West End Flea Market | London Daytime Reviews | DesignMyNight

WEFM 2025: Saturday 17th May, St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden.

Entry to the grounds from 9:30am. Access to the market from 9:45am

Tickets are £15 and limited to 2 per person.

By purchasing Early Bird tickets you will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a WEFM 2025 Theatrical goody bag.

See you there!

The awards celebrate all the supporters and fundraisers who have helped the charity raise vital funds over the past year, through bucket collections across UK theatres and various events throughout the year.

Full List of Winners

Fabulous Fundraising Award Presented by Rob Houchen & Layton Williams This award is for the most inventive way of fundraising for Acting for Others. Winner: Backstage Curry Podcast

Special Recognition Award Presented by Su Pollard This award is for someone who has made an outstanding contribution to Acting for Others with fundraisers over the years, and their support is invaluable. Winner: The Noel Coward Foundation

Fantastic Front of House Award Presented by Kim Ismay & Annette Badland Winner: The Menier Chocolate Factory – The Cabinet Minister

The Golden Bucket Award – Regional Presented by Robert Lindsay This is the regional theatre that raised the most in the 2024 Theatre collections. Winner: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

The Golden Bucket Award – London Presented by Samantha Bond This is the London theatre that raised the most in the 2024 Theatre collections. Winner: The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre – Raising over £21,000

Thank you to everyone that joined us at the Prince of Wales theatre, Delfont Room!

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. Maggie has been a long standing supporter of Acting for Others, helping raise money at events such as One Night Only, along with attending events, such as the Golden Bucket Awards.

Maggie will be greatly missed by everyone involved in the charity, as her legacy will live on. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and everyone whose lives she touched.

The Big West End Walk in pictures!

58 Theatres…16 miles…6 hours, 20 minutes.

Thank you to all of our fantastic supporters! More news to follow!

You can still donate to support this years walk in aid of Acting for Others!

https://actingforothers.enthuse.com/pf/the-big-westend-walk-2024

FUNDRAISING ASSISTANT ROLE

We’re looking for someone to join us for up to 12 weeks as a Fundraising Assistant, that has great people skills, enthusiasm, and has a knowledge of the theatre.

You will be joining Acting for Others Fundraising team, providing administrative and operational support during one of our biggest annual campaigns, our annual theatre collections, running from 21^st October 2024 for two weeks.

You’ll be diligent with details and accuracy and show initiative in your work

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

To support the Director of Fundraising and General Secretary.

To assist with the implementation of the annual theatre collections across London and Regional theatres.

Converting theatres for the 2024 annual theatre collections.

Acting as a point of contact and liaise for Theatre Management teams, Company Managers and cast of shows, maintaining a professional approach at all times.

To carry out a range of research, including; the programming of theatrical productions at venues and updating personnel contact information.

To put together resources for Theatres joining the campaign. Including delivering to local theatres and arranging postage to regional venues.

Take responsibility for ensuring that full records are maintained on the database and spreadsheets in accordance with GDPR compliance

Cash handling and reconciliation, during and post collections, with the A4O team.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE:

Experience of working in a fundraising or sales/customer facing role.

Experience of building and maintaining relationships.

Experience of working within a team and individually to achieve success.

Experience of using a CRM database.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

Experience working in a charity environment.

Knowledge of the Entertainment business.

A good knowledge of West End Theatres and Theatre locations

Have knowledge of a range of donation methods including contactless and QR codes.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Excellent computer skills and experience using a wide range of software, including Microsoft.

Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to liaise with people on the telephone, face to face and in written correspondence

Demonstrable initiative.

Excellent attention to detail and accurate record keeping.

Ability to prioritise tasks and manage a busy workload.

Reporting to: The General Secretary and Director of Fundraising

Location: London. Office based.

Length of contract: Up to 12 weeks.15 hours p/w

16^th September – 22^nd November

Hourly rate: £20

Applications should be made to the General Secretary at admin@actingforothers.co.uk The closing date for applications is 23rd August 2024. Interviews will take place 29^th August.

Please include a Cover letter, CV and details of one reference that can be contacted.

A DBS check with be provided.

Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all those that work in theatrical professions, through our network of 14 member charities.