Asher, Gwynne, Malik & More Set for 24 HOUR PLAYS CELEBRITY GALA at London's Old Vic, 11/1

Casting has been announced for the 24 HOUR PLAYS CELEBRITY GALA at London's Old Vic theatre. The evening, hosted by Graham Norton, will feature the talents of Jane Asher, Lorraine Burroughs, Eliot Cowan, Kerry Fox, William Houston, Haydn Gwynne, John Light, Nigel Lindsay, Art Malik, Sharon Maughan, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Kieran O'Brien, AnDrew Scott, Ashley Walters and Ruth Wilson.  The event will take place on November 1 at the Old Vic.

Now in its sixth year, the 24 HOUR PLAYS CELEBRITY GALA is one of the most glamorous evenings on London's theatre calendar. Like it's Broadway counterpart, 40 acclaimed actors, directors and writers join forces to write, rehearse and perform six short plays in just 24 hours. It's the ultimate theatrical challenge, culminating in a unique evening played out on one of the world's most celebrated stages. The performance is followed by a glittery post-show party, The 25th Hour.

In addition to the all-star performing talent, the participating directors include Patricia Benecke, Douglas Hodge, Angus Jackson, Jamie Lloyd and Josie Rourke, while the writers will include James Graham, Nick Moran, Chloe Moss, David Nicholls, Ol Parker and Amy Rosentha.

Past participants have included: Jenny Agutter, Gael Garcia Bernal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jim Broadbent, Saffron Burrows, Joseph Fiennes, Josh Hartnett, Tom Hollander, James Nesbitt, Rosamund Pike, Rufus Sewell, Brooke Shields, Kevin Spacey, Catherine Tate and Vince Vaughn. These artists donate their services to The Old Vic. The cast, which depends on artists' availability nearer the time, will be announced during the month of performance.

The actors, writers and directors meet for the first time on Saturday night. After a round of introductions and discussion, the group breaks up, the actors and directors going home to sleep, leaving the six writers to cast and write their plays overnight. At 6am on Sunday morning six new works are prised from the weary hands of the writers. Their scripts are delivered as bleary eyed directors arrive back at the theatre for 7am. Directors are allocated to the plays and rehearsals begin against the clock.

The actors have less than 12 hours to rehearse their show and memorize their parts. The curtain goes up at 7:30pm and the Gala audience witness the last 22 hours that have been filmed and edited before seeing the end results.

The 24 HOUR PLAYS CELEBRITY GALA is the principal annual fundraising event in support of Old Vic New Voices. The department is dedicated to working with young people, developing emerging talent and building new audiences. The Old Vic receives no government subsidy so this event is vital to enable this ongoing work.

Tickets are available at three tier prices, £250, £125, and £75. To book £250 or £125 tickets please call 020 7401 9280 or email twentyfour@oldvictheatre.com. To book £75 tickets please call 0844 871 762.

For more information, visit www.oldvictheatre.com.

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