on the button Issue 26 | Page 12

Variety Express to host Annual Charity Show ‘Children to benefit from ‘Best of British’ Variety Express will be performing their annual charity variety show ‘Best of British’ at St Francis College Theatre, Broadway, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 3PJ. Wednesday 29th October – Saturday 1st November. Evening performances starts at 7.30pm and Saturday matinee starts at 2.00pm. Tickets are now available online and cost £9 adults and £7 concessions. Charity donations are reliant on ticket sales so they would like members of the public to support and attend. ‘Best of British’ will take audiences on a coach tour of the British Isles through song, dance and comedy. Starting in England and travelling to Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the cast of Variety Express will pay homage to Adele, Van Morrison, Lulu and Rod Stewart. It promises to leave audiences feeling proud to be residents in our great country. Producer Lindsay Head said ‘We guarantee fun and enjoyment for everyone. Everyone involved has worked so hard to put on a great show for your entertainment. Of course, the more people we have coming, the more ‘feel good’ factor we get for all to have a wonderful time whilst raising money for two well deserved charities’ A little bit about Variety Express. A great number of ideas are born over a few drinks in the pub and Variety Express’s birth was no exception. In 1980 a few people, several of whom had previously been involved in amateur theatre productions, suggested forming a new entertainment group. They thought a combination of singing and dancing with a little comedy thrown in would be a good recipe. This group could perform locally and raise some much needed money for local charities. The proceeds of that first show, some £200, were tripled the following year and have increased substantially ever since. In fact, since its conception back in 1980, Variety Express has donated over £104,000 to charities including nursing homes, Lister Hospital and dozens of specialist care organisations. Variety Express is still going strong and involves a team of well over 30 members with each person providing an essential role, from back stage to sound and lighting technicians, and of course there’s the cast. Variety Express has come a long way in its thirty four year history and our aim is to provide fabulous entertainment, at a very reasonable price, and most importantly to provide our chosen charities with the biggest donation we can. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to two local charities, both of which support children with special needs. The charities were voted to receive support from Variety Express following their request to be considered. These were: St John’s Special School Association, Kempston, will use their donation to create an outdoor sensory area for students who have profound and multiple learning disabilities. The Autism Avenue, Biggleswade, a support group run by families for families that have a child who has autism, will use their donation to expand the number of support groups to enable more families to attend and to fund child-led activities at their holiday groups. For tickets and further information visit www.varityexpress.org.uk or if you would like to know how you could become involved with Variety Express from starring in the show to stage crew or front of house contact :Diane Humberstone on 07786840535. We look forward to seeing you there. 12 | October 2014 | to advertise telephone: 01462 834265 or go to the website: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk