Many Actors Make Art fundraiser exhibition to return for final edition this July

The Many Actors Make Art (MAMA) exhibition will return to Brixton for its fourth and final edition this July.

Running at Downstairs at the Department Store from 7 to 9 July, the exhibition was founded by Nancy Carroll and Christopher Villiers after the pair discovered a shared passion for painting while filming Magic Mike’s Last Dance in 2022. Created as a platform for theatre artists to showcase their work beyond the stage, the exhibition has since grown into an annual fundraiser celebrating the visual arts.

This year’s exhibition will feature work by returning artists including Samuel West, Jo Herbert, Carroll, Noel Coward, Jenny Eclair, Nicholas Farrell, James Fleet, Mark Gatiss, Anastasia Hille, Jason Merrells, Sophie Thompson, Timothy Spall, Christopher Villiers and Rufus Wright, alongside newcomers Mackenzie Crook, Neil Stuke, Anthony Howell, Amelia Warner, Pearl Chanda, Juliet Cowan, Naveed Khan, Jake Cecil, Jack Trueman, Ella Waldmann, Benedict Hastings, Ellie Pearce, Megan O’Rourke and Elise O’Meara.

For the first time, the exhibition will also open free to the public during the day on 8 and 9 July from 10am to 5pm, with evening openings between 6pm and 9pm requiring free advance booking at the link below.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors can take part in an original art lucky dip, where a £20 donation secures a sealed postcard-sized artwork created by one of the participating artists. Live painter Jo Herbert will also return to create watercolour portraits during the event.

Villiers and Carroll said: “This is a joyous show that celebrates creativity for the creativity’s sake. The spectrum of skill, craft and expression across our whole community is jaw-dropping. The exhibition is well presented in this light and very welcoming space. It is a must-see event, for a great cause.”

A portion of all artwork sales will support the Theatre Artists Fund. Established by Sam Mendes and led by the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, the fund was created to provide emergency financial support to theatre freelancers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It now operates the Creative Workforce Pilot Programme, supporting 20 mid-career theatre professionals through two-year, full-time contracts with 15 venues across the UK.

Tickets for the fundraiser exhibition can be booked here.