Acting for Others kicks off Christmas in Covent Garden!

Acting for Others is delighted to be the chosen charity partner of Shaftesbury Capital plc for the Theatre of Christmas!
On Wednesday 12th November Acting for Others Ambassadors’ and supporter were part of the Covent Garden Christmas light switch on.

The event featured performances from West End shows, with Actress Hayley Atwell pushing the button, joined by Matt Henry MBE, Celia Imrie, Sir Derek Jacobi,ย Dame Darcey Bussell and Stephen Mangan.
Live in the Delfont Room: Hadestown Cast

Thursday 27 November 2025
Join us for one night only as the stars of the hit West End productionย Hadestownย swap the underworld for the intimate surroundings of cabaret. Expect show-stopping vocals, exclusive performances, and a few surprises along the way. Presented in association withย Acting for Others, who raise vital funds for those in the theatre industry in times of crisis.
This is your chance to see your favourite performers up close for an unmissable evening in the Delfont Room!
Ticket Prices: Standard Tickets from: ยฃ13*
Thursday 27 November 2025: 11pm (10:30pm doors)
Show Running Time: Approx. 60 minutes
Backstage Curry – NEW EPISODES!

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? Whatโs it really like? Whatโs it like to play a leading role in a West End musical? Whatโs it like to represent the UK at The Eurovision Song Contest? Whatโs it like being on Strictly Come Dancing? What does it feel like to become famous? How is your event organised? Whatโs 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 weโd all love to ask our fantasy dinner party guests.
Actor and presenter, Mark Curry, has created this Podcast series called, โBackstage Curryโ. Episodes feature, โbehind the scenesโ chat with performers, broadcasters and creatives. The series is raising funds for, โActing For Othersโ, by providing listeners with an opportunity to donate via the charityโs 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, โI am fascinated about how other performers prepare for shows and how shows or events are put together. Iโm hoping listeners will be interested too and, after listening, will be inspired to donate to, โActing For Othersโ, thereby supporting any industry professionals currently facing financial or emotional challengesโ. So far, โBackstage Curryโ, includes conversations with the current, โWickedโ, leading lady, Alexia Khadime, West End and Doctor Who star, Bonnie Langford. Plus, Debbie McGee talking about her, โStrictlyโ, 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.
Ambassador news!
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 2025!

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 includeย Hamiltonย andย Miss Saigon, alongsideย Les Misรฉrablesโ Jonny Phillips. The pair first launched the initiative in 2023. Last yearโs walk raised over ยฃ4,000 for Acting for Others. Participants in 2024 includedย Caroline Sheen,ย Gary Wilmot,ย Ben Stock, Harriet Thorpe, John Partridge,ย Michael Jibsonย 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:ย https://actingforothers.enthuse.com/cf/the-big-west-end-walk-2025.
West End Flea Market raises more than ยฃ110k!
A record breaking for Acting for Others!
WEFM 2025 was held on Saturday 17 May at St Paulโs Church in Covent Garden.
This year,ย The Book of Mormonย was crowned the Best Dressed Stall, in the competition judged byย Christopher Biggins,ย Dame Arlene Phillipsย andย Janie Dee. The stall included show memorabilia and exclusive props used in the show for sale. They also had a game of โSpooky Mormon Hooplaโ for participants to play, for a chance to win a selfie or a signed polaroid.
Most West End shows took stalls at the event, includingย Back to The Future,ย Cabaret,ย Clueless,ย Hadestown,ย Hamilton,ย Les Misรฉrables,ย Mamma Mia!,ย Mean Girls,ย Moulin Rouge!,ย Operation Mincemeat,ย The Phantom of the Opera,ย SIX The Musical,ย Stiletto,ย The Book of Mormon,ย The Devil Wears Prada,ย The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,ย The Mousetrap,ย The Play That Goes Wrong,ย Tina โ The Tina Turner Musicalย andย Titanique.
Stars in the church taking selfies and signing posters and goodies for fans includedย Brontรฉ Barbรฉ,ย Luke Bayer,ย Christopher Biggins,ย Joanne Clifton,ย Janie Dee,ย Alfred Enoch,ย Clare Foster,ย Em Hoggett,ย Shanay Holmes,ย Derek Jacobi,ย Cassidy Janson,ย Lily Kerhoas,ย Alexia Khadime,ย Debbie Kurup,ย Josephina Lewis Ortiz,ย Robert Lindsay,ย Simon Lipkin,ย Toby Marlow,ย Ewan Miller,ย Lucy Moss,ย Grace Mouat,ย Natalie Paris,ย Mason Park Alexander,ย Dame Arlene Phillips,ย Dianne Pilkington,ย Peter Polycarpou,ย Sophia Priolo,ย David Rintoul,ย Caroline Sheen,ย Giles Terera,ย Harriet Thorpe,ย Rachel Tucker,ย Tom Read Wilsonย andย Lucy St Louis.
Acting for Others Co-Chairman Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen said in a statement: โWe 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.โ
Photo credit: Bonnie Britain

West End Flea Market – Early bird tickets!
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 ยฃ15 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!
Winners Announced for the Golden Bucket Awards 2025
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 Awardย 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 Awardย 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 โย The Cabinet Minister
The Golden Bucket Award โ Regionalย 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 โ Londonย Presented by Samantha Bond This is the London theatre that raised the most in the 2024 Theatre collections. Winner:ย The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre โ Raising over ยฃ21,000
Thank you to everyone that joined us at the Prince of Wales theatre, Delfont Room!
Gavin Creel
Dame Maggie Smith 1934 – 2024
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.


