Support the arts by making a purchase from a theatre freelancer this Christmas

Photo credit: Cressida Cards

It’s been a long hard year for the theatre industry and with many creatives and freelancers left out of the government support schemes, Christmas is the perfect time to show some support to the people who make the theatre industry tick. Many creatives and freelancers have turned to alternative ways to make ends meet by selling products and services, and when buying your Christmas gifts this year, purchasing from these incredible creatives could make the world of difference for them. Here’s just a select few that you can choose from:

Harriet Cox – Wardrobe Supervisor – Save our Theatres Print 

Wardrobe supervisor Harriet Cox has released this beautiful print of some of the country’s theatres with 50% of the profits going to theatre charities such as Acting for Others. The print is available from her Etsy shop here with prices starting at £12. 

Photo credit: H Cox Illustrations

Cressida Peever – Playwright – Theatre prints and Christmas cards 

Playwright Cressida Peever has been keeping busy making a huge range of Christmas cards and prints, based on theatre, tv shows and festive themes. With prices starting as low as £1.75, there’s something for everyone no matter what your budget is. Check out her online shop here.

Peter Hannah – Actor – Theatre Prints

Actor Peter Hannah, who originated the role of Earl in Waitress, has been selling incredibly detailed and stunning drawings of theatres in his new Etsy shop. For £35, you could own one of his beautiful pictures. Check out his shop here.

Photo credit: Peter Hannah Art

Peter Mckintosh – Designer – Model box designs 

Designer Peter Mckintosh has been selling amazing model box pictures, based on his set designs. Take a look at his Instagram and DM him here if interested. 

Simon Annand – Photographer – Time to Act 

Photographer Simon Annand has released a beautiful book of photographs of performers backstage entitled ‘Time to Act’. Photographs feature many stage stars including Judi Dench, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett and many more. You can purchase the book here.

Kieran Brown – Actor – Photographs 

Actor Kieran Brown has set up an online shop to sell his incredible photographs. From theatre and travels to Harry Potter and amazing edits, there’s something for everyone. You can purchase a HD download of any of the prints to do whatever you want with them, whether that’s getting it printed on canvas, or making personalised Christmas decorations. Check out his Picfair shop here.

Lazarus Theatre – Charity Calendar 

Lazarus Theatre has launched a charity 2021 calendar. It’s the perfect gift for fans of classic theatre, with pictures from many of their Shakespeare productions including King Lear, Taming of the Shrew and The Tempest. 

The calendar costs £12.50 and can be purchased here.

Edinburgh Kings Theatre Christmas Cards 

Edinburgh’s Kings Theatre have released a special edition panto themed christmas card to raise money for Capital Theatres during the pandemic. A pack of 10 cards cost £5 plus delivery and can be purchased here.

Ashleigh Gray – Actress – Face masks & handmade gifts 

Actress Ashleigh Gray (Only Fools & Horses, Wicked) has launched Crafty Ashleigh Shop on Etsy; selling face masks, toiletry/make up bags, bunting, personalised prints and much more. Lots of things in this amazing shop would make great stocking fillers.

Photo credit: Crafty Ashleigh

Callum Train – Actor – Crochet Coasters 

Actor Callum Train, recently seen in Matilda and Half A Sixpence, has launched The Crochet Train selling beautiful handmade crotchet coasters. Prices start at £7 for 2 coasters. Check out his Instagram here.

Soophia Foroughi – Actress – Jewellery 

Actress Soophia Foroughi, who before lockdown had been performing in The Prince of Egypt, has launched Ava and Azar, a new website selling beautiful statement earrings inspired by her heritage. You can check out her collection here.

Photo credit: Ava & Azar

Sam Toland – Actor – Wooden coasters 

Actor Sam Toland has made incredible wooden musical theatre themed coasters (christmas designs also available). These would make perfect gifts for the stagey people in your life, with many designs available including Hamilton, Six, Sweeney Todd and The Book of Mormon. 

Check out his Instagram here.

Andy Burke – Actor – Clothing 

Actor Andy Burke has launched Panda Clothing, selling t-shirts with designs based on theatre, film and tv with designs including Elf, Heathers, Back to the Future and Jaws plus many more. You can take a look at his shop here.

Photo credit: Panda Clothing

Scott Day – Musical prints

Recent graduate of Guildford School of Acting, Scott Day, has launched 'Every Day a Little Print, selling fantastic musical theatre themed prints, including an amazing print where you can scratch off the musicals that you have seen. 

Check out his shop here.

Emma Mullan – Actress - Tie Dye clothing 

Actress Emma Mullan, who before lockdown was playing Sophie in the UK tour of Mamma Mia, has launched Dyed UK selling all sorts of fun tie-dye goods including shirts, socks and scrunchies. You can check out her website here.

Photo credit: Dyed UK

Howard Jenkins – Actor – Art 

Performer Howard Jenkins has launched Howard Draws Stuff, selling prints inspired by theatre and Disney. You can purchase prints through his Instagram page here, or if you are a performer yourself, you can enter West end Best Friend’s December singing competition to be in with a chance of winning one!

Courtney-Brogan Smalley - Actress - Prints

Sponsor of West End Best Friend’s Superstudy Saturday and performer Courtney (Hairspray, Club Tropicana) designs and sells stylish prints for your home. She can also do custom prints on request. Take a look at her Prints by Gigi Etsy shop here.

Photo credit: Prints By Gigi

Dawn Williams – Actress – Facemasks 

Actress Dawn Williams, recently seen in Matilda and Half A Sixpence has launched Sew’s with Love, selling handmade facemarks and scrunchies, including matching sets. A perfect stocking filler! You can check out her collection on her Instagram here.

Spoilt for choice, Besties! Support the arts and support freelancers.