Newcastle students fundraise for struggling creatives with digital theatre production

The filmed production will be streamed from Sunderland Empire from 2 July, with 2,000 empty seats as a backdrop. Each ticket and donation from audience members will serve as a fundraiser for Acting for Others, an umbrella charity made up of 14 individual charities that aim to help struggling creatives and theatres. 

Up-and-coming director Adam Kinneen has added a twist to the show and included playwright Oscar Wilde in the performance on three separate intervals. The script contains quotes from Oscar Wilde’s letters and words, adding insight into his life. 

Kinneen said: ‘Oscar Wilde figured out the key to immortality was art. He lived as an artist so that his work would live beyond him. When the “Save the arts” movement began to gain traction in the UK, I couldn’t think of anyone better than Wilde to represent why we must protect and preserve the UK’s entertainment industry and all the creatives that form a part of it.’

A spokesperson for Acting for Others said: ‘It is so important that we keep our fundraising campaigns going strong through these difficult times. Even as theatres begin to reopen, many workers will still need our help now and in the future. Many of the Acting for Others annual fundraising events have been casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic; the annual bucket collections in theatres across the UK, The West End Flea Market and One Night Only at The Ivy.

‘Without the help and enthusiasm of the theatrical community, generous donations and brilliant events like these, Acting for Others could not have continued to support theatre workers through the network of 14 member charities. Thank you all!’

Tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest go on sale on 25 June, and the production will be performed from 2–16 July. Tickets are available online here. 

Find the production on Facebook here.