West End Heroes raises £78,243.01 and returns in October
TWO-time Olivier Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist Michael Ball has handed over a cheque for £78,243.01 – the proceeds from the 2014 West End Heroes gala he hosted at the Dominion Theatre in aid of Help For Heroes.
Ball also announced that the unique event will return for a third year and once again unite the country’s top military musicians with West End performers and productions in a dazzling showcase of showstopping numbers, unlikely song mash-ups and stunning choreography and precision drilling.
And it will take place at the Dominion Theatre on Sunday, October 4, 2015, with a target of £100,000.
Handing the cheque to Hero Bear, Ball said: “I want to say a massive personal thank you to everyone who took part and those who came to see West End Heroes. We are so proud of the money raised and what we achieved – we had the best time doing the show, and it was a great night!”
West End Heroes Producer David Pearson, the Dominion Theatre’s General Manager, said: “This is a massive achievement in only our second year. I want to thank everyone involved in what was a colossal undertaking – there were 200 people performing on stage and a small army behind the scenes, most who worked for nothing on their day off. The money raised will make a huge contribution to the amount needed for Help for Heroes to carry on their incredible work.”
The host for this year’s West End Heroes is still to be announced.
Returning to form the centrepiece of the gala and under the baton of Squadron Leader Piers Morrell will be The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, which is widely regarded as one of the finest military bands in the UK and incorporates the celebrated RAF Squadronaires Big Band.
West End Heroes will once again be generously supported by many TV and theatre stars and will feature line-ups from current and past West End Shows. There will again be a performance from the West End Heroes Choir – made up of people working behind the scenes in the West End. More cast will be announced in the coming months.
For some, recovery can be swift – for others, it is a life-long journey with changing needs along the way. Help for Heroes aims to support this process however long or short it may be.
Bryn Parry, Co-Founder and CEO of Help for Heroes said: “We’d like to thank West End Heroes for their dedication towards raising such an amazing amount for Help for Heroes over the past two years. We’re thrilled to work with West End Heroes again in 2015 and look forward to an another fantastic event at the same time as raising a significant amount of money to help our injured Servicemen and women and their families.”
Produced by Dominion Events, West End Heroes will be directed by Tim Marshall (Festival of Remembrance, Royal Albert Hall) and designed by Tim Soden (The Lion King; Calendar Girls), with musical direction by Squadron Leader Piers Morrell, Director of Music, RAF Central Band, musical supervision by Stuart Morley (We Will Rock You; Night of a 1000 Stars) and choreography by Matt Flint (So You Think You Can Dance; Strictly Come Dancing). Assistant director will be Carole Todd (Carnaby Street, Dreamboats and Petticoats).
Tickets: from £32.50. VIP Packages including champagne pre-show reception, premium seat and access to the concert after-party are also available. On sale now at www.dominiontheatre.com/theatre/west-end-heroes/.
Time: 7.30pm.
Image: Michael Ball handing over the cheque to Hero Bear. Photo credit: Darren Bell.