Inspirational childhood cancer survivor Ellen Bisci is returning with her biggest ever musical extravaganza, Monday at the Musicals, featuring stars of the West End and beyond. The event will aid leading childhood and young adult cancer charities Children with Cancer UK and Trekstock, celebrating 20 years since Ellen was first diagnosed.
“I credit Children with Cancer UK for saving my life.”
Monday at the Musicals is back. The concert was created three years ago by Ellen Bisci, whose love for musical theatre brought her comfort and joy through one of the toughest times of her life.
Taking place at the legendary Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on 12 May 2025, Monday at the Musicals will mark 20 years since Ellen was first diagnosed with cancer. It will feature a whole host of West End stars, including Joanne Clifton (Rocky Horror Show UK tour, Flashdance the Musical UK tour), Holly Bannis (What’s Love Got To Do With It UK tour), Tom Lidgley (Royal Academy of Music), Freddie King (Titanique), Sarah Goggin (Back to the Future), Maggie Lynne (Wicked), Georgina Castle (Mean Girls), and Nadim Naaman (Phantom of the Opera European Tour) – with more artists to be announced soon. The concert will also showcase a performance of a brand-new song, written especially for Ellen for the night’s performance.
This year’s show is co-produced by Ellen, Laura Baldwin, and Natalie Naaman and will feature musical direction from Paul Herbert (Pitch Perfect, Rob Brydon Songs and Stories UK tour, Zog UK tour). The one-time event will raise money for charities Children with Cancer UK and Trekstock.
Ellen’s love of musical theatre began when she was undergoing cancer treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Every week she would look forward to watching Andrew Lloyd Webber’s I’d Do Anything.
Ellen was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia when she was just nine years old. Whilst treatment was successful, unfortunately just three years later the cancer returned. At this time, she also suffered a massive stroke and was told that she may never walk or talk again. During her treatment, Ellen had an MRD test, which was co-funded by Children with Cancer UK, and is used to see if cancer treatment is working and whether additional measures are needed. It was revolutionary in treatment for leukaemia and Ellen credits it with saving her life.
A long-time supporter of Children with Cancer UK and Trekstock, Ellen has raised thousands of pounds for these charities and works to raise awareness of the late effects of childhood cancer, which she unfortunately still suffers from. Ellen’s late effects include intracranial hypertension, which she’s had 13 brain surgeries for, epilepsy, and heart failure.
Ellen reveals: “I started the initial concert to raise money for the charities which have supported me whilst also wanting to thank the musical theatre industry that means so much to me.”
Proceeds from the show will support Children with Cancer UK, helping the charity continue its vital work. Children with Cancer UK is the leading charity for children and young people affected by cancer in the UK. Their vision is for every child and young person to survive their cancer diagnosis. They work to improve survival rates and the long-term quality of life for those who do, while also striving to find ways to prevent cancer in the future. Children with Cancer UK are working on kinder, more effective treatments for childhood cancers so that no child has to go through the same gruelling treatments and suffer the debilitating side effects that Ellen has.
Every day in the UK, 38 young people in their 20s and 30s receive a life-changing cancer diagnosis. Trekstock is the only charity that helps this group in navigating life through and beyond an experience that doesn’t stop when treatment ends. Trekstock’s free services enhance the physical and mental well-being of its community, boosting their confidence, strength, and quality of life, and helping them live better alongside cancer by getting them active, connected, and informed at the point of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
