By Mark Shenton
04 Nov 2009

A cast that includes Adam Pascal, Kerry Ellis and Philip Quast is lined up to star in the tenth anniversary year of the annual The Night of 1000 Voices gala, set to take place at the Royal Albert Hall May 2, 2010, in aid of the charity Leukaemia Research.

Pascal and Ellis previously appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in the 2008 Chess in Concert event, in which they respectively played Frederick Trumper and Svetlana Sergievsky, that was recorded for both DVD and CD release. Quast played the role of Javert in the tenth anniversary concert performance of Les Miserables at the Royal Albert Hall in 1995 that was also recorded for DVD and CD. They will be accompanied by the City of London Philharmonic and the massed choirs of Sing Live UK and USA under the musical supervision of the West End maestro, David Firman. The event is created and directed by Hugh Wooldridge.

Pascal is best known for originating the roles of Roger Davis and Radames in the original Broadway productions of Rent in 1995 (and recreating his performance in the 2005 film version) and Aida in 2000 respectively.

Ellis is best known for taking over from Idina Menzel in the original London production of Wicked in January 2007, following a stint as the standby Elphaba to Menzel when it first opened in 2006. She also subsequently took the role in the Broadway production for six months from June 2007, before returning to the London production. Other West End credits include My Fair Lady, We Will Rock You and Les Miserables.

Quast was most recently seen in the West End in La Cage Aux Folles, returning to the role of Georges that he originally played when the production first opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in November 2007. He has won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical three times, for Sunday in the Park with George (National Theatre, 1991), The Fix (Donmar Warehouse, 1998) and South Pacific (National Theatre, 2002). Other recent theatre credits include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and David Hare's Stuff Happens (National Theatre, 2004), Juan Peron in Evita (West End, 2006), and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd (Royal Festival Hall, 2007).

According to organizers, the 2010 Night of 1000 Voices will be a triple celebration: honoring the 80th birthday of Stephen Sondheim, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Leukaemia Research and marking the tenth year of this hugely popular musical theatre evening. Hugh Wooldridge stated, "This evening is a must for all who love musicals. You will hear the best performers in the world performing some of the greatest songs in the world's finest venue. Come and join in the fun and help raise funds for a splendid charity whilst raising the roof of the Royal Albert Hall."

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7589 8212, or visit www.thenightof1000voices.com for more details.