The stars of London theatre will be flashing their fairy cakes, proudly presenting their buns and touting their Eccles cakes in aid of charity at the first West End Bake Off later this month.
Teams from a host of West End shows will prove how kneady they are as they provide cakes and bakes to sell in aid of Acting For Others at the event which will be held in St Anne’s Church Courtyard, next to the Queen’s Theatre, from 11:00 to 13:00 on 23 May.
A dozen of the capital’s favourite productions have already pledged their patisserie proficiencies to the event, including Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, who will undoubtedly create cakes of Wonka-esque imagination.
Joining them are The Phantom Of The Opera, The Mousetrap, War Horse, The Railway Children, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, The Book Of Mormon, Billy Elliot The Musical and Wicked.
The pressure will rise, like a perfectly created crumpet, as entertainment royalty Barbara Windsor MBE judges the tasty offerings.
All money raised from the sale of brownies, cupcakes, cookies, muffins and any other baked goods Theatreland’s finest can draw from an oven will go to support Acting For Others. The umbrella organisation that represents 15 theatrical charities uses the funds it raises to emotionally and financially support members of the entertainment industry who have fallen on hard times through illness, injury or circumstance.
If you can’t make it to St Anne’s Church Courtyard for the West End Bake Off, which is supported by The Mackintosh Foundation, to sample Mamma Mia!’s macaroons, Beautiful’s bonbons or Wicked’s waffles (these may not be the actual baked goods on offer!) you can still support Acting For Others by donating at its Just Giving page.