Presented under the umbrella title You’ll Never Walk Alone - The West End Unites for the Philippines, the evening will feature Julie Atherton, Joanna Riding, Michael Xavier and Hugh Maynard, as well as Filipino-born singer Joseph Apostol, a quarter finalist on the BBC's "The Voice" who is soon to play John in the West End return of Miss Saigon, and Filipino-born classical pianist Emmanuel Vass. The concert will also feature an ensemble of Filipino performers and an onstage band.
The event has been instigated by the U.K.-based theatre Filipino community, many of whom moved to the United Kingdom in the 1990's to take part in the original production of Miss Saigon, produced by Cameron Mackintosh.
In a press statement, Mackintosh commented, "The Philippines have been a special part of my life ever since Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and I first went there 25 years ago to cast the original production of Miss Saigon. As well as being an exceptionally talented nation, the people we have met are also warm, generous and good-hearted human beings who have become our friends the world over. The recent terrible natural disaster there has affected so many people and along with the international aid, I am only too happy to offer the use of the Queen's Theatre for a fund raising performance led by stars of the Philippines and the West End to help gather as much money as possible for those in desperate need."
The event is is produced by Paul Spicer and Matt Firth for Stage Acts Productions with the support of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres. Spicer commented, "In such dire situations we often feel helpless, but through entertainment and celebration of the Filipino people’s resilience, we can make a difference. This will be a truly one-off event rooted in hope and inspired by the Filipino spirit and vivacity. Disasters like this may often seem a million miles away from our reality, but when a crisis occurs it affects humanity as a whole. By lending our efforts to this appeal, we are expressing loyalty not only to the people of the Philippines, but to humankind."
To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 482 5164, or visit www.westendunites.com for more details.
