Hi all, I hope everyone’s doing ok in these strange, uncertain times- I just wanted to drop by with an idea I’ve had to see if it had enough interest to be worthwhile. You might remember that back in May, I took part in Read For The Globe and had the BEST time sharing my love of Shakespeare with some incredibly passionate, talented and likeminded folks as we read plays for the world via Zoom on Youtube to fundraise for the venue.

It was an enjoyable, easy way for me to give back to the industry I love given my physical limitations (I certainly don’t see myself jumping out of planes or anything of that ilk!) and I felt like my appetite was whetted to want to do something similar again…

I’d like to do a sort of mini readathon, reading some of my favourite books, a chapter a day or something like that, recorded for my socials. Maybe if I’m brave enough I’ll even set up a Wheelie Stagey Youtube channel and put it there! I’d like to raise funds for Acting For Others, and some of my favourite theatrical spaces in London and beyond, including my beloved local theatre, Bristol Old Vic. As we know, this pandemic is hitting our economy and every area of life hard but on a personal level I’m feeling the absence of the arts incredibly keenly, so lord knows how all those I love and admire in the industry are feeling; as despite promises of funding and a government “roadmap” there has been little to no details on when indoor theatres/concert venues can reopen. I’m under no illusions that I myself will probably be able to do very little and any funds I make will be a drop in the ocean, but I still want to help, and I know it’ll be a massive boost for my mental health, which has been really up and down of late!

I’m hoping that some friends might want to join in, so we can turn it into “cast” readings 😉