West End Flea Market raises over £74,000 for charity

The theatrical charity Acting for Others announced that their fourth annual West End Flea Market raised over £74,000, despite the atrocious, pouring rain1

Held on Saturday, 18 May at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, this event marked their most successful to date. In 2023, they raised £70,000, and £45,000 in 2022, making this year’s achievement particularly impressive.

The Mousetrap won the Best Dressed Stall award, judged by West End stars Christopher Biggins and Harriet Thorpe. The stall for the world’s longest running show included show memorabilia and exclusive props used in the show for sale, including a newspaper signed by the entire cast. They also had a game of ‘Trap the Mouse’ for participants to play, for chance of winning tickets to the show.

Many other West End shows had stalls including Sister Act The Musical supported by Carl Mullaney, Leslie Joseph, Ruth Jones and Clive Rowe, Mamma Mia!, supported by the cast including Samantha Ivy and Tobias Turley, Back to the Future, Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club, Frozen, The Lion King, Guys and Dolls, Hamilton, Hadestown, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Mrs Doubtfire, Operation Mincemeat, Phantom of the Opera, SIX The Musical, The Book of Mormon, and The Play that Goes Wrong.

Other attractions included Go Live Theatre Projects, ATG Touring Productions, Theatrical Memorabilia, Tombola, West End Charity Football Club Penalty Shoot-out, My Shot! The Pearly Kings and Queens, several Panto Dames, plus Flea market favourite Psychic Su Pollard told fortunes!

There were stars in the church taking selfies and signing posters and goodies for fans, including Luke Bayer, Christina Bianco, Christopher Biggins, Sir Derek Jacobi, Ruth Jones, Lesley Joseph, Bonnie Langford, Melanie La Barrie, Harriet Thorpe, Dame Arlene Phillips, Dianne Pilkington, Peter Polycarpou and Michael Xavier.

Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to those in theatrical professions during times of need through its 14 member charities. These include Actor’s Children’s Trust, Dancers’ Career Development, Denville Hall, Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, Equity Charitable Trust, Evelyn Norris Trust, SafetyCurtain, King George V Fund for Actors and Actresses, Ralph and Meriel Richardson Foundation, Dance Professionals Fund, The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund, The Royal Theatrical Fund, Theatre Chaplaincy UK, and The Theatrical Guild.