Participants in Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays Gala Announced

By Mark Shenton
30 Oct 2009

The annual 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala, in which 40 acclaimed actors, directors and writers join forces to write, rehearse and perform six short plays in just 24 hours, takes place at London's Old Vic Nov. 1 at 7:30 PM.

Now in its sixth year, it represents what is referred to in publicity materials as the "ultimate theatrical challenge, culminating in a unique evening played out on one of the world's most celebrated stages." It is the principal annual fundraising event in support of Old Vic New Voices, a department dedicated to working with young people, developing emerging talent and building new audiences. The performance is followed by a post-show event called the 25th Hour party.

The actors, writers and directors meet for the first time on Saturday night. After a round of introductions and discussion, the group breaks up, the actors and directors go home to sleep, leaving the six writers to cast and write their plays overnight. At 6 AM on Sunday morning six new works are pried from the weary hands of the writers. Their scripts are delivered as bleary-eyed directors arrive back at the theatre at 7 AM. Directors are allocated to the plays and rehearsals begin against the clock. The actors have less than 12 hours to rehearse their show and memorize their parts. The curtain goes up to a packed house at 7:30 PM and the Gala audience witnesses the last 22 hours, which have have been filmed and edited, before seeing the end results.

Actor, comedian and television presenter Graham Norton, recently seen in the West End in La Cage Aux Folles, is hosting this year's event. Actors set to participate are Jane Asher, Lorraine Burroughs, Anna Chancellor, Elliot Cowan, Haydn Gwynne, David Haig, William Houston, John Light, Nigel Lindsay, Art Malik, Sharon Maughan, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Hattie Morahan, Kieran O'Brien, Clive Rowe, Andrew Scott, Rafe Spall, Ashley Walters and Ruth Wilson. Directors will include Patricia Benecke, Douglas Hodge, Angus Jackson, Jamie Lloyd and Josie Rourke. Writers will include James Graham, Nick Moran, Chloe Moss, David Nicholls, Ol Parker and Amy Rosenthal. Due to the nature of the event, however, the cast and company may change up until the date of the performance.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 871 7628, or visit www.oldvictheatre.com.