Footballers are often accused of acting. On Sunday this might well be the case, when teams from Les Misérables and The Phantom Of The Opera face off against each other in a charity match.
Les Mis FC will be trying to barricade their goal against the merciless attack of Phantom FC when the match, taking place at East Grinstead FC in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, kicks off at 15:00.
The game, which will feature players from both shows alongside a couple of celebrity ringers and ex-professionals, is being held to support Les Misérables’ wig mistress Melanie Oakley-Dow who has been part of the team of the long running show since it first opened and is currently battling cancer.
Chris Key, whose idea it was to stage the match, told us: “Because Mel’s been involved with the show since the very beginning, she’s part of the building. For someone like myself, who’s been in the show for two or three years and then worked as a director on it, on and off, for the last six years, she’s just someone you expect to see every day when you go to work. She’s missed by her department and missed by the people in the building. I felt a little helpless and wanted to do something.”
The event, which costs £10 for adults and £5 for children and concessions, will feature far more than singing strikers and dancing defenders. Beginning at 13:00, there will be entertainment for youngsters, food and performances, along with a raffle with prizes including tickets to Les Misérables, The Phantom Of The Opera, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia! and Stomp, a signed Theo Walcott shirt and football boots. Giving the day an FA Cup feel, former star of both shows Peter Karrie will sing Abide With Me, with representatives of both shows chipping in to sing their own ‘national anthems’.
Anyone wishing to show their support but unable to head over to West Sussex on Sunday can donate via Les Mis V Phantom’s Just Giving page, joining a host of cast members past and present – including John Owen Jones, Michael Ball, Frances Ruffelle, Wendy Ferguson, Gina Beck and Melanie La Barrie – who have already done so.
But don’t be worried about over enthusiastic tackles coming in from a masked midfielder. “We will be stressing from the very first moment that people might have to pirouette the next day,” Key confirms. “Nobody will be doing anything stupid. Everyone is very clear what it’s about, having a fun day and raising money.”
For more information about the match, visit www.lesmisvphantom.co.uk