York Musical Theatre Company concert raises £2,133 for Ukrainian aid appeal

The concert poster for last Saturday’s fundraiser

YORK Musical Theatre Company & Friends have raised £2,133 for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal from A Concert For Ukraine, held on April 30 at Our Lady’s Church, Cornlands Road, York.

Organiser Sophie Urquhart says: “As we’ve all been so horrified by the tragic images on the news every night from Ukraine, I felt determined to do something, however small to help. 

“As a member of York Musical Theatre Company (YMTC), it seemed an ideal solution to put on a concert for people to enjoy and to raise funds at the same time.   

“The rest of the company couldn’t have been more enthusiastic, and once our musical director, John Atkin, was on board, the whole plan came together, inviting members from other local theatre companies to join us.” 

Last Saturday’s programme featured multiple show tunes from West End musicals past and present, ranging from old favourites from Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street to a couple from YMTC’s next show, Jekyll & Hyde The Musical, now in rehearsal for a May 25 to 28 run at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

“We also had a wonderful and inspirational lady called Victoria from the Ukraine opening our concert, reminding us why we were all there,” says Sophie.

All proceeds are going to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal run by Action Aid. “For those that couldn’t attend, but would still like to donate, there’s a JustGiving page set up,” says Sophie. To give, go to: justgiving.com/fundraising/Concert4Ukraine?utm_campaign=lc.

Now, in the words of John Atkin, YMTC will “play catch-up” with Jekyll & Hyde rehearsals.

York Musical Theatre Company to hold show song evening for Ukraine appeal

York Musical Theatre Company’s poster for Saturday’s concert

YORK Musical Theatre Company & Friends present A Concert For Ukraine on Saturday at Our Lady’s Church, Cornlands Road, York, at 7pm.

Organiser Sophie Urquhart says: “As we’ve all been so horrified by the tragic images on the news every night from Ukraine, I felt determined to do something, however small to help. 

“As a member of York Musical Theatre Company (YMTC), it seemed an ideal solution to put on a concert for people to enjoy and to raise funds at the same time.   

“The rest of the company couldn’t have been more enthusiastic, and once our musical director, John Atkin, was on board, the whole plan came together, inviting members from other local theatre companies to join us. 

Saturday’s programme features multiple show tunes from West End musicals past and present, ranging from old favourites from Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street to a couple from YMTC’s next show, Jekyll & Hyde The Musical, now in rehearsal for a May 25 to 28 run at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre. 

“We’ll also have a wonderful and inspirational lady called Victoria from the Ukraine opening our concert, reminding us why we are all there,” says Sophie.

Tickets cost a minimum of £5, either on the door or through reservations on 07806 487695, with all proceeds going to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal run by Action Aid.

“For those that can’t attend, but would still like to donate, there’s a JustGiving page set up,” says Sophie.  

To give, go to: justgiving.com/fundraising/Concert4Ukraine?utm_campaign=lc

York Musical Theatre Company to hold humanitarian fundraising concert for Ukraine at Our Lady’s Church

The poster artwork for A Concert For Ukraine

YORK Musical Theatre Company and Friends will come together to raise money for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal at A Concert For Ukraine on April 30.

The 7pm musical evening of songs from the shows past and present will be held at Our Lady’s Church, Cornlands Road, Acomb, York, where singers from assorted York musical theatre companies will perform selections from Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera, Jekyll & Hyde The Musical, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street and Godspell.

Tickets (£5 minimum) can be reserved on 07806 487695 or bought on the door. “If musical theatre isn’t your thing, or you’re unable to attend, please give a small donation to justgiving.com/fundraising/Concert4Ukraine,” says organiser Sophie Houghton Brown.

John Atkin, of York Musical Theatre Company, says: “YMTC Choir members decided to do this concert after their performance at the York Community Choir Festival 2022 at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

“The choir will be singing the songs they performed at the festival alongside numbers for their upcoming production of Jekyll & Hyde The Musical.  

“We’re delighted that well-known York performers, who have worked with York Opera, Black Sheep Theatre, Joseph Rowntree Company, Bev Jones Musical Company, Pick Me Up Theatre and White Rose Theatre, will be joining us as guests.” 

Concert proceeds and donations to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal will help DEC charities to provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families. To find out more about their work, visit www.actionaid.org.uk. Donations will be sent directly to ActionAid in a fast and secure way.