Set up by theatre industry workers Chris Marcus and Damien Stanton who wanted to form an initiative to help individual workers out of work due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the fund began with the design of ‘The Show Must Go On!’ t-shirts, featuring an amalgamation of the world-famous artwork of 16 of the biggest musicals in the West End. Theatre Support Fund’s team have since received 20,000 orders and shipped to 63 countries across the globe. The orders are being packed daily by a small team of volunteers from within the West End theatre community, with all profits from merchandise sold going to Acting for Others, Fleabag Support Fund and the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.
‘We are incredibly overwhelmed with the generosity and support people have given to the theatre industry and with the government announcing arts funding last week, it is all moving in a very positive direction,' the founders said, 'However there are still individuals out there that need our help and we will continue to unite and work together to raise monies for these charities to help all of those that have been affected from the pandemic until the theatre industry is up and running again.’
In addition to the t-shirt, merchandise now includes a re-useable face covering, notebook, mug, badge and tote bag. All ‘The Show Must Go On!’ merchandise continues to be available at www.theatresupportfund.co.uk