UNHCR Benefit Concert Set for National Theatre

This Valentine's Day, Sunday 14 February, leading names in British theatre will come together to perform a benefit show for the UNHCR at the National Theatre. The afternoon performance in the NT's Lyttelton Theatre will see actors including Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply), David Morrissey (Hangmen), Andy Nyman (Hangmen), Rufus Hound (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), James Bolam (New Tricks), Noma Dumezweni (Linda), Ray Fearon (Coronation Street), Adjoa Andoh (Dr Who) and Zubin Varla (Dara) perform brand new work and much loved work by Richard Bean, Staten Cousins-Roe, Stephanie Dale, David Edgar, Phil Porter, Michelle Terry, Jenifer Toksvig and Matthew Woodyatt (with further cast and creative names to be announced).

All profits from the performance will be donated to the UNHCR to provide much needed support and assistance to refugees caught up in the current global refugee crisis - the most overwhelming since the Second World War. Tickets, priced from £30, (with £15 Entry Pass tickets available) are available from the NT box office.

The performance is curated by actress Emma Manton (RSC's Love's Labour's Lost & Won) in response to the growing refugee crisis in Europe.

Actress Maxine Peake said, 'I am supporting this event as everything that can be done to help and support the refugee crisis must be done. I hope events like this will encourage the powers that be to allow more refugees a home and sanctuary in our country.'

MR GONZALO VARGAS LLOSA, UNHCR Representative to the UK said, "Over the past months, we have seen an extraordinary outpouring of public support in the UK for the plight of Syrian refugee families, including wonderful initiatives such as the 'Moving Stories' benefit event. UNHCR is deeply grateful to the organisers, the contributing performers and to the audience. With your support, we will be able to continue our life-saving work to protect and meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable refugee families."

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre said,' The refugee crisis is one of the most urgent issues of this time and I am delighted that we are able to host this event in support of UNHCR'