The cast will also include Catherine Tate (returning after hosting the 2006 event), Tom Ellis, Tina Hobley, Clive Rowe and Douglas Booth. Further names will be announced later.

To celebrate the 10th birthday of the event at the Old Vic, a short parody on the project has been created featuring past participants, including Michael Sheen, Kelly Brook, Jessica Hynes, Meera Syal, Anthony Head, Matthew Horne, Ronni Ancona, Lesley Manville, Nick Moran, Nigel Lindsay, Robert Glenister, Paterson Joseph and Douglas Hodge. It is written, directed and produced by Rob Kluger. Future episodes will follow, appearing on The Old Vic's website. To watch the first episode, visit http://youtu.be/itVoPvWj7ic.

The Old Vic is also launching "Buy the Hour," a fundraising initiative to raise £24,000 in the lead up to the event. Twenty-four people will be invited to sponsor one of the 24 hours and be credited on the rolling credits of the film shown on the night to a live audience of over 1,000 people.

The Gala is the principal annual fundraiser in support of The Old Vic Theatre Trust and Old Vic New Voices, the theatre's dedicated emerging talent, education and community program. Over the past nine years the event has raised over £1 million with funds directly helping people of all ages in Old Vic New Voices projects.

In a press statement, Kevin Spacey, artistic director of the theatre, commented, "I am immensely proud of what the Old Vic has achieved over the past 10 years of The 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala. We have raised funds to directly engage with over 50,000 young people via Old Vic New Voices projects. OVNV is about inspiring remarkable young talent and opening up our theatre to the next generation. I am grateful to all who have been involved in the past decade of The 24 Hour Plays at The Old Vic since 2004 and look forward to what this year's birthday celebration has in store." To book tickets for the event, contact the box office on 0844 871 7628 or visit www.oldvictheatre.com for more details.