The initiative, which consists of a T-shirt featuring the brands of 16 major West End shows, will continue for the following weeks to provide financial aid to theatre artists and crew. Created by two friends from one of London’s top props manufacturers, the project has already received 7500 orders shipped to 42 different countries around the world – having raised more than 100 thousand pounds in four weeks.
One day more, the lockdown goes on as the measurements lighten up and we slowly start to go back to our normality. However, it’s still too soon for the theatre to welcome their audiences back again – as it has been announced this very week, the venues will keep close at least until August. And although there’s still hope about live entertainment coming back to our everyday lives not too late, the delicate situation this industry is going through makes its support now more important than ever.
That is why the campaign ‘The Show Must Go On’ will keep on for the next weeks to help theatre professionals thanks to its fundraising. Launched 4 weeks ago in collaboration with the Theatre Support Fund, the initiative has already collected £125,000 – having received 7500 orders shipped to 42 countries across the globe. Created by friends Chris Marcus and Damien Stanton from Marcus Hall Props (one of the leading props manufacturers in the West End), the project consists on a T-shirt featuring the brands of 16 major London shows. The proceeds have been split between Acting for Others and the Fleabag Support Fund, which provide financial aid to the live entertainment workers who are having a difficult time because of the pandemic.
“The response to the project so far has been incredible”, said Staton and Marcus. “It’s heartwarming to see the support towards the theatre industry and the people who work within it. We’re receiving messages every day from people expressing how much they’re missing being able to go to the theatre. By buying a t-shirt they’re hoping to give something back to the industry they love so much”.
The productions that have agreed to license their brand include, in order of appearance: ‘Tina, The Tina Turner Musical’, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, ‘Everyone’s Talking about Jamie’, ‘Six The Musical’, ‘Hamilton’, ‘The Book of Mormon’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Matilda The Musical’, ‘& Juliet’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘The Prince of Egypt’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Come From Away’, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘Mamma Mia!’. The T-shirts can be ordered here at a cost of £16.50 each inc. VAT.
First Night Magazine 