Stars join play to raise money for hard-hit theatres and charities
A RADIO play featuring major names from Stephen Fry to Russell Tovey is to be launched to raise funds for those in the theatre industry facing fallout from the virus.
The arts sector has been particularly hard hit over recent weeks, firstly with customers urged to stay away from thriving venues, but also in terms of employment with many workers on short-term or freelance contracts.
A special report, featured within on Saturday, warned of a generation of success stories which could be lost in the crisis.
Now an entire cast and creative team are to record a radio play of The Understudy, by Henry Filloux-Bennett, recording in isolation at home before it is pulled together by a remote sound team.
Mina Anwar, Layton Williams, Sheila Atim and Sarah Hadland
Joined cast of radio play to raise funds for arts staff hit by virus.
will also take part in the project, which will see The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield split proceeds with Theatre Development Trust, Acting for Others and Equity Charitable Trust.
The public will be able to buy tickets to the play, based on the best-selling novel by David Nicholls which was originally commissioned by The Lowry as a stage adaptation.
The Understudy tells the story of failed husband, failing father and failing actor Stephen McQueen, who is going to be understudying film star Josh Harper in the brand-new show Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know.
Mr Fry said: “I am just so delighted to be working on Henry Filloux-Bennett’s superb adaptation of David Nicholls’ The Understudy. I do hope lots of you will listen in and combine a good time with support for our wonderful theatre industry.”
Arts and culture is facing an “existential crisis” at the hands of the virus, Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin, who was Shadow Culture Secretary up until yesterday’s Labour re-shuffle, told The Yorkshire Post on Saturday.
Revealing an “avalanche” of personal stories submitted as part of a report, Culture for All, she had warned that many thirdsector organisations, across the country, were on a “knife edge” as a result of venue closures.