Superstars donate treasured items to charity for the Theatre Super Auction
Sarah Lambie
Friday, July 24, 2020
Lord Lloyd Webber, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Joan Collins, Michael Ball, Whoopi Goldberg, Alexandra Burke & Martin McDonagh, are among dozens of celebrities offering up their treasured personal possessions and ‘money can’t buy’ experiences to raise money for theatres and the performing arts industry
On Tuesday 21 July, the Theatre Super Auction was launched. This one-off event will provide crucial funding for an industry which has been devastated by the effects of COVID-19.
As the government guidelines are eased much of the population is returning to work, but unfortunately, as theatres nationwide remain closed, this isn’t the case for the 290,000 people employed within the UK’s Theatre industry. Many of these people are self-employed or freelancers and aren’t eligible for any of the Government schemes leaving them without any means of financially supporting themselves and their families.
The monies raised through the Bid-In Group auction will go directly to 3 charities: Acting for Others, Theatre Artists Fund and Theatres Trust, and all lots can be viewed here www.BidInTheatres.auction
Dame Judi Dench said ‘We greatly appreciate this exciting fund raiser to support the Arts. The work of the theatrical charities is vitally important to help our industry survive and the Theatre Super Auction is a wonderful way support our cause.’
Among the items available to bid for, Lord Lloyd Webber has donated 2 x VIP tickets to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway; the prize also includes 2 x BA Business Class flights and a 3 night stay in New York hotel. Actress Miriam Margolyes has offered tea at home as well as some incredible Harry Potter memorabilia.
There are auction lots from David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Valentino jewellery from Joan Collins and the opportunity to watch the English National Ballet from the wings. Martin McDonagh has offered his own hand-annotated shooting script of his BAFTA award winning film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
The auction is designed to be accessible to everyone; alongside the opportunity to bid for some of these items, anyone can instead pledge a donation to this cause and will immediately enter a prize draw for the chance to win prizes.
The auction closes at 10pm on Sunday 26 July.