Already pledging to donate their royalties for 24 April are the lighting designers of some 40 international shows, many of them - like Howard Harrison's Mamma Mia! and Mary Poppins - in several different productions. Joining Rick Fisher, Ken Billington and Ken Posner, the day's co-sponsors, are Neil Austin, donating his royalties from the Frost/Nixon US tour; Mike Baldassari with Beauty and the Beast (Barcelona and Moscow), Neil Young, Chrome Dreams (North American Tour); Jon Clark, Three Days of Rain; Paule Constable, Oliver, War Horse; Chris Davey, Measure for Measure tour; Howard Harrison, all productions of Mamma Mia! and Mary Poppins; Don Holder, Lion King and others; David Howe, Singing in the Rain, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Little Shop of Horrors UK tours, Rocky Horror Picture Show European tour and The Norman Conquests (NYC); Natasha Katz, Sister Act; Tim Mascal, Derren Brown, Stones in his Pocket (tours); Matthew McCarthy for Blue Man Group, New York, Chicago and Boston; Paul Miller for tours of Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Rent and Sweeney Todd; Brian Monahan, Drowsy Chaperone (tour); Peter Mumford, View from the Bridge, Carousel; Peter Nigrini, 9 to 5 The Musical; Paul Pyant, Waiting For Godot tour; Enjoy; Nick Richings, La Cage Aux Folles; Malcolm Rippeth, Calendar Girls, Brief Encounter, His Dark Materials tours; Nick Schlieper, Priscilla Queen of The Desert; Kevin Sleep, Woman in Black; Hugh Vanstone, Boeing Boeing, God of Carnage UK tours, God of Carnage, Shrek, Mary Stuart (all NYC); Willie Williams, We will Rock You; James Whiteside, Never Forget: and Ann Wrightson for August: Osage County (Broadway).
Rick Fisher, who instigated Light Relief Day in 2007 in honour of the late Tony Gottelier, co-founder of Light Relief, said: "The link with Behind The Scenes has given the day a much higher profile and as a result we have a record number of designers joining in the fund raising. Anyone who has links with the industry is welcome to join us, including rental companies and other suppliers."
Now, more than ever, there are people in our industry who have the added burden of serious injury or illness and who turn to Light Relief or Behind The Scenes for support. To find out how you can help by donating your royalties for 24 April (even if you join our gang after the day!), and to read about the original idea from Rick, Ken and Ken, visit the web addresses provided below:
(Lee Baldock)
