• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Last Minute
    • Cinema
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
    • Attractions
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Last Minute
    • Cinema
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
    • Attractions
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Budding Young Presenter Charlie Kristensen Interviews Stars of Stage for his YouTube Channel Musical Chairs with #CheerUpCharlie!

Theatre Weekly Press by Theatre Weekly Press
June 29, 2020
Reading Time: 5min read
Sam Retford with Charlie Kristensen

Sam Retford with Charlie Kristensen

Ten-year-old Charlie Kristensen, from Wokingham in Berkshire, won over the hearts of the West End theatre industry and the British public last year when he launched his #CheerUpCharlie campaign, channelling his own traumatic experiences of being bullied, and the support he received afterwards, to help others. Charlie has now taken a step towards his dream of being a television presenter by launching a series of lockdown interviews with high-profile entertainment industry guests on his YouTube channel – Musical Chairs with #CheerUpCharlie!. The chat show is supported by The Theatre Café, and it is hoped that most interviews will be recorded there when it becomes possible.

As well as chatting to his guests about their own experiences of being bullied, in Charlie’s own words he also asks a mix of “fun, interesting and serious questions” about their life and work. He has set up a steady stream of interviews with actors, musicians and visual artists from the UK and USA, and his recent chat with actress Amanda Henderson (star of Casualty) has already hit nearly 6,000 views.  Others in the Musical Chairs line-up include Iain Armitage, Luke Bayer, Daniel Boys, Kerry Ellis, Dominic Ferris, Jacqueline Hughes, Irvine Iqbal, Nathaniel Morrison, Nadim Naaman, Will Poulter, Sam Retford, Gaby Roslin, Nina West, Nathan Wyburn and Michael Xavier, with many more planned. Actor Matt Lucas not only recorded a Musical Chairs interview but also, to Charlie’s delight, invited him to duet together singing The Baked Potato Song in support of NHS workers, in a video which has also received 100k views on Twitter.

Sam Retford, star of television show Ackley Bridge, said: “I first met Charlie last year when the campaign was just starting after his bullying came to light. It was such an honour to be Charlie’s interview guinea pig.  Not only did we laugh and get to know each other better, but I was also able to get a better perspective and see just how far this incredible young man has already gone.  His Cheer Up chats are going to be something very special and have grown with such enormity already. I truly cannot wait to see what 2020 has in store for this special young man and feel truly grateful to be watching it unfold. He is one of the most intelligent, charismatic and talented people I have ever met.”

Charlie said: “I love speaking to people and I know that by sharing their experiences of bullying and how they overcome it we can start to make a change. I want everyone to associate #CheerUpCharlie with acceptance and feel confident in just being themselves. The world is full of different people, with different talents and in my eyes that is what makes the world an exciting place. If me talking to people helps just one person then we are doing the right thing. I want to talk to everybody as talking makes it all okay.”

Charlie has come a long way since this time last year. Then, having been mentally and physically bullied severely for over 18 months, in part due to his love of performing, Charlie couldn’t take any more and for a long time his parents ‘lost’ the cheerful boy they recognised. Charlie continued with his singing lessons, and when he opened up to his singing teacher West End actress Jacqueline Hughes and broke down, she comforted him but also rallied support from performers in the theatre industry. She put out a Tweet about the heart-breaking situation and straight away West End performers inundated Charlie with video messages of support, love and solidarity including exciting backstage invitations. This led to national media interviews including live chats on the BBC Breakfast sofa and Michael Ball’s BBC Radio 2 show. It took months for the smile to return to Charlie’s eyes but he is now fighting for others, and keen to see where his presenting talents might lead along the way.

You mightalso like

Max Milner Sally Ann Triplett Grace Milner filming We Need A Little Christmas credit Bonnie Britain

Review: We Need a Little Christmas Streamed from The Actors’ Church

Charlie Kristensen to perform with Ferris and Milnes

Charlie Kristensen To Perform With Ferris & Milnes At Riverside Studios

 

Charlie’s mother, Kat Kristensen, said: “Charlie is the most selfless, kind, caring and funny boy you will ever meet, and this kid can certainly talk! When The Diana Award invited him to write and deliver a five-minute speech for Anti-Bullying Week last November, he reduced a room of 5,000 to absolute silence and tears. It is something we did not know Charlie could do and he continues to amaze us daily, including now with his chat shows! We have been blown away by the entertainment industry and public support, and would like to thank them for helping him achieve his dreams.”

Future plans which are currently in the pipeline for Charlie and his #CheerUpCharlie campaign, with the support of his West End friends, include a special fundraising show and a musical theatre video – watch this space!

Theatre Weekly Press

Theatre Weekly Press

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

Max Milner Sally Ann Triplett Grace Milner filming We Need A Little Christmas credit Bonnie Britain
Reviews

Review: We Need a Little Christmas Streamed from The Actors’ Church

Charlie Kristensen to perform with Ferris and Milnes
News

Charlie Kristensen To Perform With Ferris & Milnes At Riverside Studios

Charlie Kristensen
Interviews

Interview: Charlie Kristensen on his New Charity Single – You Will Be Found

L R Adrian Hansel Charlie Kristensen Jacqueline Hughes at Auburn Jam Music
News

West End Stars Join Forces With Ten-Year-Old Anti-Bullying Ambassador Charlie Kristensen To Release Charity Single You Will Be Found

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Follow Us

  • The Barn Theatre will be releasing an archive recording of their 2019 Built by Barn production Daddy Long Legs for a limited number of dates over the Valentine’s Day and February half term weekends @thebarntheatrecirencester #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #daddylonglegs #jeanwebster #johncaird #kirstiedavis #paulgordon #rebeccajaynedavies #ryanbennett #thebarntheatre
  • Canterbury’s newest arts venue, The Malthouse Theatre, will play host to a dazzling pantomime this Christmas with a glittering new production of Beauty And The Beast #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #beautyandthebeast #josephhodges #paultate #themalthousetheatre
  • West End star Danielle Steers who appeared in Jim Steinman’s monster hit stage musical Bat Out of Hell, is releasing The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be, an intimate album of nine Steinman songs @misssteers #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #batoutofhell #daniellesteers #jimsteinman #thefutureaintwhatitusedtobe
  • Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has announced the world premiere of a new everyday comedy, Sharon
  • Without Walls, a unique network of over 30 festivals that brings outdoor arts to people across the UK, welcomes three new partners: Timber Festival, Certain Blacks and The Culture House @withoutwallsconsortium #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #certainblacks #theculturehouse #timberfestival #withoutwalls
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, Kemp House, 152 - 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Daddy Long Legs c. Evoke Pictures

The Barn Theatre Production Of The Musical Daddy Long Legs To Be Streamed Online

Paul Tate Beauty and The Beast

Beauty and The Beast to Run at Canterbury’s Malthouse Theatre in 2021

© 2020 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Theatre Weekly

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Cookie Policy.