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Orin, Beverley and the ACLT family would like to send a BIG THANK YOU to all of our supporters who attended the ACLT Special Charity Night Fundraiser at ‘Cat On A Hot Tin Roof’.
The event took place on Monday 15 March at the Novello Theatre in the heart of London’s West End Theatreland.
The Show
Hundreds of supporters were welcomed by ACLT Co-founders Orin and Beverley as they arrived at the illustrious theatre. Support for the Mother’s Day themed fundraiser was headed by ACLT Patrons, Actor Colin Salmon with his wife Fiona and Singer Keisha Buchanan.
Celebrity photographers were on hand to capture the guests as they arrived. Special thanks are extended to Grime Hip Hop artist Bashy and Comedian Eddie Kadi who also gave interviews to the press on the night. We were graced by a number of well known Celebrity supporters, including ITN News broadcaster Ronke Phillips and Actor Roger Griffiths. Leroy Logan MBE, Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police also joined us to support the charity night.
Alesha Dixon, ACLT Ambassador, rallied the public to attend the show in aid of the charity’s valuable work. Alesha registered as a bone marrow donor back in 2006 in response to an appeal for six year old Keiton Knight who was in need of a bone marrow transplant. Alas a suitable donor was never found for Keiton. Alesha poignantly highlighted the need for continued support for the ACLT’s work to fund community awareness programmes and recruitment clinics to help find and register more life-saving donors.
The show started promptly at 7.30pm and the audience were treated to ore-inspiring performances. The dialogue was emotionally intense and was peppered with a number of memorably comedic moments. The gripping storyline kept everyone in suspense right to the end.
At the end of the show, cast member, ChoiceFM DJ and longstanding ACLT supporter Richard Blackwood, led the tribute to those who have previously or currently face the tremendous challenge of fighting leukaemia as well as the many life-giving mothers and their families. He went on to congratulate the audience for their generosity as proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the charity. Richard Blackwood also prompted others who had yet to give to the cash collection in his own comedically persuasive way –
“we need notes and debit cards people”.
The ACLT extends their gratitude to the Novello Theatre Management and Staff who have kindly conducted a number of collections on behalf of the charity over the last few months.
Q&A with the cast
The final highlight of the evening was an intimate after show Q&A with cast members – James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Adrian Lester, Sanaa Latham, Peter De Jersey and Richard Blackwood. The Q&A provided a once in a lifetime opportunity for a few lucky audience members to pose their questions directly to the shows world-class actors. Topics included everything from the casts’ approach to voice coaching to the impact of Debbie Allen’s interpretation of Tennesse Williams’ classic with an all black cast. An engaging discussion ensued when Sanaa and Philicia were asked to comment on T. Williams’ seemingly ‘critical’ attitude to women.
During the Q&A, Orin Lewis - ACLT Chief Executive expressed his deep gratitude to the Cast and Production team headed by Alia Jones and Stephen Byrd for their invaluable support and opportunity to fundraise for the ACLT.
Thank you for the many warm comments about the success of the charity night:
“It was such a wonderful night. My sisters and I had always intended to see the show, but the opportunity to attend on the charity night allowed us to support both the ACLT and this fantastic production”
“The opportunity to meet the magnificent cast at the Q&A was unforgettable”
“The ACLT is a wonderful charity and has some very special people who are very driven to its cause. My heart went out to those parents who had lost their children and I can see why the ACLT is helping in every way they can.”
Charity spearhead Daniel De-Gale would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on Mother’s Day, Sunday 14 March. Beverley De-Gale, Daniel’s mother and ACLT Co-founder hailed the event as ‘A fitting tribute to Daniel and all leukaemia fighters and survivors as well as the families, friends and supporters who care for them. The Q&A was the perfect end to an exceptional evening.’
Front Row Productions presents a Stephen C. Byrd & Alia M Jones Production.
It would have been our son ‘Daniel De-Gale’s’ Birthday on Sunday 14th March and so as a celebration we will mark our spearheads 23rd Birthday with a fun night out at the Theatre. As a Mother of 2 beautiful children, I (Bev De-Gale) will be enjoying my Mothers Day at the Monday 15th March performance. Please come and join us.
Monday 15th March 2010 at the Novello Theatre in Aldwych, Central London WC2B 4LD. This will be a date to put into your diary. Beverley De-Gale and Orin Lewis would like to encourage your support and attendance on this evening’s performance.
Featuring a dynamic cast led by Academy Award nominee and two-time Tony winner James Earl Jones, Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, Olivier Award winner Adrian Lester and Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan.
The production is directed by renowned Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning director, actor and choreographer Debbie Allen, who is best known for playing Lydia Grant in the original film and television series of ‘Fame’.
After great success on Broadway Debbie Allen’s revival of one of Tennessee Williams best-know works comes to London.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof paints a rich and timeless portrait of a Southern Family in Crisis. It takes a raw and real look at the themes of family, relationships, inheritance and sexuality. The cast give a powerful portrayal of the underlying darkness prevalent in the family birthday gathering.
The action centres on Brick (Adrian Lester) and Maggie’s (Sanna Lathan) turbulent relationship. The strikingly beautiful Maggie, ‘The Cat’ gives an outstanding performance as Brick’s desperate and sexually frustrated wife. Adrian Lester cold and bitter demeanour gives the production a great edge. His battle with sexuality and James Earl Jones and his deep Darth Vader voice powerfully filled the shoes of patriarch and tycoon Big Daddy with great energy. It will be fantastic to have an actor of his calibre on stage. Big Mamma is delightfully played by Phylicia Rashad, best known for her off-stage role as wife Claire Huxtable from the TV sitcom ‘The Cosby Show’.
Maggie and Brick’s large bedroom suite in the large Mississippi Mansion provides the setting. The use of light, streaming through the large Victorian style window panels is visually stunning and highly effective.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see this star studded cast at the Novello Theatre and at the same time raising funds for the ACLT charity. If you have already seen the show and are seriously considering going to see it again, please come and support the ACLT on this particular night.
Audience: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof is suitable for audiences aged 10 and upwards (strong Language)
Run Time: Two hours and 45 minutes with two 12 minute intermissions
WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR:
BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
BEST ACTOR: JAMES EARL JONES
Creators:
Directed by Debbie Allen
Set Design by Ray Klausen
Costume Design by Jane Greenwood
Lighting Design by William Grant
Written by Tennessee Williams
Cast:
James Earl Jones as Big Daddy
Phylicia Rashad as Big Mama
Adrian Lester as Brick
Sanaa Lathan as Maggie
Richard Blackwood
Derek Griffiths
Nina Sosanya
Joseph Mydell
Peter De Jersey
Guy Burgess
Claudia Cadette
Susan Lawson-Reynolds
Yvonne Gidden
Great night out: Yes
Recommend to Family & friends: Most definitely
TO BOOK TICKETS PLEASE CALL THE BOX OFFICE ON 0844 482 5170 or BUY ONLINE
Card payments will incur an additional small administration fee
Parking and Public Transport
The Novello Theatre is on Aldwych, which is off The Strand.
NCP – Drury Lane
London Underground: Covent Garden, Holborn, Charing Cross
British Rail: Charing Cross, London Victoria, Waterloo
Congestion Charge London: Allows free access into the West End from 6.00pm Monday to Friday evenings.
Buses: 6, 11, 13 and 15
Co-Founders Beverley De-Gale & Orin Lewis
(Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. Photograph: Tristram Kenton)
