Stars of stage and screen Jim Broadbent and Samuel West to take part in RSC Ukraine fundraiser
Photo credit: AP
The Royal Shakespeare Company, in partnership with Stratford-upon-Avon musical festival and The Orchestra of the Swan, have announced that multi award-winning actor Jim Broadbent and stage/TV actor and voiceover artist Samuel West will take part in An Evening of Words and Music for the People of Ukraine: a one-off fundraising event taking place at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on 8 May.
Jim Broadbent is an Academy Award®, BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning theatre, film and television actor, best known for roles in IRIS (for which he won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes in 2001); Moulin Rouge (for which he was awarded the BAFTA for performance in a Supporting Role in 2001) and the International phenomenon the Harry Potter franchise.
Samuel West is an actor and sometimes a director. He’s played Hamlet and Richard II for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Jeffrey Skilling in Enron in the West End, and the voice of Pongo in Disney’s 101 Dalmations II.
This fundraising event will show solidarity and support for those affected by the war in Ukraine, with all proceeds raised from the event being donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Ukraine humanitarian relief effort.
The event will feature live music performed by the Orchestra of the Swan conducted by their Principal Conductor Michael Collins as well as an inspiring programme of play readings drawn from both Shakespeare’s own works and the works of contemporary writers.
Executive Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Catherine Mallyon, said: “The thoughts of the RSC are with everyone affected by the war in Ukraine and we are pleased that the Royal Shakespeare Theatre can be the venue for a moving evening of music, readings and reflection. We know that this humanitarian fundraising will make a difference to those finding themselves in such dreadful and difficult situations as a result of this frightening conflict.”
Tickets for the event are now on sale here.
