Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum will return to the Old Vic theatre to show off his hidden musical skills in the venue’s debut The 24 Hour Musicals Celebrity Gala on 9 December.
The frantic 24 hour event, now in its ninth year, has up to now focused on the creation of plays, but 2012 sees it take a different direction, tackling the musical genre for the first time in order to put already well-known musical stars through their paces and discover other hidden musical gems lurking within the industry.
Over the course of one long night and manic day, a group of established actors, singers, writers, composers and directors will come together to create a series of four musicals to raise funds for The Old Vic Theatre Trust.
Beginning on 8 December at 22:00, each participant will offer information about their lives or an object which could be used as a prop to offer inspiration to the writers. The creative team will then embark on an all-night writing and composing session followed by a day of intensive rehearsals and line-learning with the cast, before the company take to the stage that evening to perform in front of the gala audience.
Goldblum will make a special appearance in the gala as he returns to the venue following his starring role in 2010’s The Prisoner of Second Avenue. He will be joined by a high-profile company of fellow stage stars including Tracie Bennett, Rosalie Craig, Richard Fleeshman, Freddie Fox, Haydn Gwynne, Anthony Head, Laura Michelle Kelly, Colin Morgan, Con O’Neill, Julian Ovenden, Nigel Planer, Amy Nuttall, Jemima Rooper and Sharon Small.
The gala will be hosted by comedian Matt Lucas, following an introduction from the theatre’s Artistic Director Kevin Spacey, and conclude with The 25th Hour, a glittering party for invited guests and top price ticket holders.
Tickets are available now from www.oldvictheatre.com