[Kathryn2]

Hi all,

Am going with a group of friends to this tonight and was wondering if anyone else has been before/is going tonight?

I keep getting asked how long it will go on for, and honestly have no idea, since I've never been before!

What's the usual format?

[ldntheatregoer]

Would love to hear how it was and who was involved when you get back Kathryn!

[Kathryn2]

I know Patrick Stewart was supposed to be hosting it, keen to find out who else attended / performed.

No Patrick Stewart - Steve Devereux hosted. Patrick Stewart was on the World AIDS day appeal posters, which is probably what confused you. I don't have a programme now - we were sharing them 'cos they had a problem at the printers and didn't have enough. As I recall we had West End Gospel Choir, The Royal Academy of Music musical theatre company, people from the Lion King, Oliver!, Les Mis, and Phantom. I'm rubbish at names and don't recall who the solo performers were - would it be Celia Graham who was a Christine in Phantom? There was a male classical singer with a double-barrelled name who did a piece with a wonderful string quartet. Also a vocal group called Johnny 5 from Arts educational, who were fab. The highlight had to be Suzy Snowflake and the Flakettes, I think.

They were all very good, and it was a nice community atmosphere with a couple of carols to join in. And an excellent cause. To be honest though I was looking at my watch by the time we got to the raffle and the thank-you speech.

[Kathryn2]

Wasn't too keen on Johnny 5!?! All looked a little amatuer'ish to me but good fun I suppose.

Well, they are amateurs, so that was ok. They had good voices, lots of potential there, and a fresh take on things.

Anyone they were willing to make bad jokes and wear silly costumes in front of a bunch of pro's who were in their glad rags - can't be too harsh on people willing to make fools of themselves for charity.

[angelfan]

The ensemble for Christmas In New York were from Arts Ed but they didn't have to wear silly costumes. They danced and sang backing vocals on several numbers.