London
The charity gala event on 10 October will raise funds for Amnesty International and Chance to Shine
A huge raft of stars will help mark Harold Pinter's birthday with a charity gala in the West End on 10 October.
Raising funds for Pinter's two favourite charities, Amnesty International and Chance to Shine, the evening will feature a variety of Pinter's work including extracts from his full-length plays, poems, speeches and sketches.
Appearing in the event, entitled Happy Birthday, Harold, will be a number of stars, joining those already slated to appear in the six-month Pinter at the Pinter season, which sees 20 of Pinter's one-act plays performed over the course of a month.
Tom Hiddleston, Kit Harington, Simon Russell Beale, broadcaster Jon Snow, Jade Anouka, Kristin Scott Thomas, Frances de la Tour, Felicity Kendal, Indira Varma, Zawe Ashton, Gawn Grainger, Forbes Masson, Samuel West and Sheila Hancock will all appear at the gala, joining the likes of Lee Evans, David Suchet, Tamsin Greig, Paapa Essiedu, John Simm, Patrick Marber, Russell Tovey, Gary Kemp and Lia Williams. Further casting is to be announced.
Pinter, a Nobel Prize-winner responsible for the likes of The Birthday Party and Hothouse would be 88 this year. The Pinter at the Pinter season marks ten years since his death.
The charity gala will be directed by Jamie Lloyd and co-directed by Jonathan Glew. Lighting is by Richard Howell, with sound design by Ben and Max Ringham. Season design is by Soutra Gilmour.