Stars of stage and screen Jake Canuso, James Dreyfuss, Matt Evers, Jill Halfpenny, Helen Lederer, Harriet Thorpe are amongst the special guest presenters to be announced* for this year’s West End Bares ‘Nudedunnit?!’ gala performances at Café de Paris in London’s West End on Sunday 7 September (*further names to be announced shortly). Tickets are available from www.westendbares.com.
Now in its fifth year, West End Bares sees performers from across the heart of London’s West End volunteering to put on a show and strip in aid of The Make A Difference Trust (MAD Trust) - the entertainment industry charity dedicated to helping people living with HIV and AIDS in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Following previous themed nights - Strip Britannia, Clothing Optional, On Your Marks…Get Set…Strip! and All the Fun of the Bare - Nudedunnit?! will pay homage to the murder mystery genre featuring the usual suspects, large concealed weapons and the most revealing of motives!
There are two performances on Sunday 7 September, at 9.30pm and midnight, with the latter being notoriously more risqué than the first. Audience members can show their appreciation during ‘The Rotation’ at the end of the night, when they can donate hard cash (pre-purchased money notes) into the underwear of their favourite performers as they dance around the venue.
Those who cannot make it to the show can still join in with the fun and donate through a brand new fundraising initiative this year – the West End Bares Stripathon - which has so far already raised more than £14,000 for MAD Trust. The more donations roll in, the more is revealed...! Visit www.westendbares.com to find out more.
West End Bares was the brainchild of Jerry Mitchell, the legendary Broadway Director and Choreographer, who began the American version over 25 years ago on Broadway in the middle of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. It has since gone on to raise millions of dollars and has branched out to London and Las Vegas. The London edition began five years ago after Artistic Director, Darren Carnall worked with Mitchell on Legally Blonde and demanded that the Bares phenomenon be brought over the pond to London. Mitchell’s response was “If you want it to happen - you do it. I’ll support you the whole way” and Mitchell has kept his promise.
West End Bares has raised more than £100,000 for MAD Trust over the past four years. Originally founded as West End Cares in 1991 and later becoming Theatrecares, The Make A Difference Trust is the entertainment industries response to HIV and AIDS.
Working with The Make A Difference Trust, the event aims to promote safe sex and raise awareness about the HIV and AIDS climate that we now live in. Recent statistics show:
· Over 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK
· Of these, 22% are undiagnosed and not aware of their status
· Nearly half (47%) of people diagnosed with HIV in 2012 were diagnosed late - after they should have already started treatment
West End Bares takes place on Sunday 7th Sept at 9.30pm and Midnight. Tickets, priced £40 and £65 are available online from www.westendbares.com
