West End Unplugged free streamed shows to raise funds for theatre charities

London’s technical entertainment companies and performers are coming together to support the theatre industry with a series of live streamed shows.  

Each Wednesday, from September 9-30, singers and musicians will stage West End Unplugged (live from L-Acoustics Creations), a series of four, 45-minute charity concerts.

The series has been produced to raise funds for three charities that help those in need across the entertainment industry, who have been affected by COVID-19.

With shows closed across the West End and around the country since March, and for the foreseeable future, leaving all those involved with little or no income. 

The event will feature Olivier Award-winning talent from hit productions like We Will Rock You, Wicked, Beautiful, Come From Away and The Tina Turner Musical. The concerts will feature a mixture of show tunes and some of the performers’ personal favourite songs.

The series is presented by choreographer Anthony Van Last and Music Director Ben Goddard.

 Guests stars include: Mazz Murray, Alice Fearn, Sandra Marvin, Hugh Maynard, Aisha Jawando, Richard Fleeshman and Celinde Schoenmaker, Tim Howar, Siobhan McCarthy, Joe Stilgoe, Hanna Waddingham, David Bedella, Cavin Cornwall and Katie Brayben.

Everyone involved, from the performers to all of the technicians and technical equipment suppliers, have come together and given their time for free to mount these concerts.

“All funds raised on the day will benefit three amazing charities: Backup-The Technical Theatre Charity, Help Musicians UK, Theatre Artists Fund,” says theatre sound designer and producer Bobby Aitken. “We feel that between them, these three charities best represent everyone in our theatre family.”

The concerts will be free to watch, with the hope and expectation that those viewing will respond generously to the appeal for donations.

All four concerts will be streamed as live at 7.30pm (GMT). You can watch the West End Unplugged shows here