Acting for Others has announced that this year’s West End Flea Market raised more than £134,000, making it the most successful event in the fundraiser’s six-year history.
Held on Saturday 25 July at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, the annual event brought together leading West End productions, theatre fans and industry stars to raise vital funds for the theatrical charity.
Billy Differ, Co-Chair and Trustee of Acting for Others, said: “We are so thrilled to have raised a record-breaking amount for Acting for Others, an exceptional charity supporting people across the industry, at this year’s West End Flea Market. It was a joyful event celebrating the very best West End shows, and we were pleased to welcome hundreds of theatre fans, as well as some of the biggest names in theatre.”
West End productions created themed stalls packed with exclusive merchandise, signed memorabilia, limited-edition collectables and auction items. Participating shows included Avenue Q, Beetlejuice, Dark of the Moon, Hadestown, Hamilton, Heathers, Hot Mess, Les Misérables, MAMMA MIA!, Moulin Rouge!, Oliver!, Oh, Mary!, Paddington: The Musical, Phantom of the Opera, SIX, The Book of Mormon, The Devil Wears Prada, The Mousetrap, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Producers and Wicked.
As part of the event’s annual Best Dressed Stall competition, Les Misérables was named the winner following judging by Tom Read Wilson and Harriet Thorpe.
The flea market also featured autograph signings from a host of theatre stars, including Luke Bayer, Tracie Bennett, Charlie Burn, Georgina Castle, Janie Dee, Alice Fearn, Sarah Hadland, Cassidy Janson, Leslie Joseph, Debbie Kurup, Bonnie Langford, Simon Lipkin, Stephen Mangan, Jodie Steele, Harriet Thorpe, Indira Varma and Michael Xavier.
Other attractions included the return of Su Pollard’s popular psychic stall, Peter Hannah Art’s theatre-inspired illustrations, and themed baked goods from Jamie’s Bakery. Attendees were also treated to surprise personalised cakes for Su Pollard and Harriet Thorpe, presented by Keith Scovell of Kakes by Keith.
An online silent auction ran alongside the event, featuring sought-after items including a signed Evita poster from Rachel Zegler and a signed Monty prop briefcase from Operation Mincemeat.
The West End Flea Market is organised in aid of Acting for Others, which supports a network of 14 UK theatrical and welfare charities providing financial and emotional assistance to theatre workers in need.
More information can be found here.
