Origins
In the 1960s, Laurence Olivier, together with Noël Coward and Richard Attenborough, had the idea of promoting a single annual fund-raising event for all theatrical charities. The Combined Theatrical Charities Council was formed as an independent body to coordinate the work of the member charities and attract donations and legacies for their benefit, in addition to centralising appeals for funds which can in turn be applied where most needed by the member charities.
In the early days, the main fundraising activity of the Combined Theatrical Charities was inspired by an annual performance entitled 'Night of 100 Stars". It was planned that this event, together with bequests, should become the mainstay in providing funds for sharing between theatrical charities. It was always the hope of the founders that annual theatre collections could be instigated and in 2003, thanks to the support of theatre managers, producers and above all actors, Acting For Others was born.
For the past five years annual collections have taken place in the majority of theatres throughout the UK. Live appeals have been made by cast members and money raised is shared between the fifteen member charities according to their most pressing needs.
The success of Acting For Others also owes a great deal to the backing of Equity, the Society of London Theatres and the Theatrical Management Association.
Acting For Others continues to go from strength to strength. Each year more theatres come on board and the funds raised increase accordingly. If three quarters of the UK's theatres were to take part, and make at least three collections during the week, the charities would find their total grants budget increasing by hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Without the help and enthusiasm of many hundreds in the profession, Acting for Others would never have succeeded. Without the support of the managers, producers and above all the performers, none of this would have been possible.
© 2008 Combined Theatrical Charities Registered Charity No. 241279
