Giggin4Good When You Wish Upon A Star
Disney’s Frozen was one of the most popular new animated films of last year; so much so that talk of a Broadway musical is underway. It is just the latest in the long line of Disney films which have enchanted people for generations. I grew up with such favourites as The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, all of which have made the jump to the stage. Disney and musical theatre go hand in hand, which is why it seemed so perfect when I heard that Giggin4Good has incorporated a Disney theme to this year’s event.
Giggin4Good is a concert series which is held once or twice a year in aid of the children’s charity Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Returning to its regular London spot in the Actor’s Church in Covent Garden, the spring 2014 concert will take place on Sunday 18th May under the name Giggin4Good – When You Wish Upon A Star. A collection of the West End’s very own stars have come together to form a top-notch cast which will perform some of the best, much-loved songs from a wide variety of Disney classics. Confirmed in the line-up are: Lucy Jane Adcock, Julie Atherton, Marcus Ayton, Charlotte Bradford, John Dudle, Lorraine Graham, Anna Haresnape, James Hume, Lauren Ingram, Keith Jack, Leanne Jones, Alexia Khadime, Jordan Langford, Jeremy Legat, Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Nathan Lodge, Robert Lonsdale, Matt Nalton, Laura Tebbutt, Will Tudor, Benjamin Vivian-Jones, Lisa Anne Wood and Gary Wood.
Some have previously sung at Giggin4Good events, while for others, this will be their debut appearance. Old or new faces though, it doesn’t matter as under the musical direction of Marc McBride, musical magic will be made when they lend their voices to the songs we all know and love. Disney manages to touch the hearts of children and adults alike and is sure to do that in more ways than one as it joins with Giggin4Good for the very worthy cause of GOSH.
Giggin4Good has been around for nearly three years now. It was founded in 2011 by London nannies Emma Howe, Hayley Guild and Karen Howe after they turned to Great Ormond Street when a child was taken ill while in their care. The experience inspired them to do something to help in return, so they combined that desire with their love of theatre to create Giggin4Good. The concerts have grown in popularity in that time, but more importantly, they have raised thousands of pounds for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s oncology, play therapy, respiratory care, neonatal care and palliative care units.
For musical theatre fans who can only take so much Disney at a time, there is also the chance to hear some new, original work as a section of the concert is dedicated to showcasing songs from the brand new musical Shadow On The Sun. Written by composer Omro Lahav and librettists/lyricists Robert Gould and Jimmy Granstrom, three songs from the ‘sci-fi musical within a musical’ will be heard, performed by Keith Ramsay, Andrew Bateup, Carolyn Maitland, Jodie Steel and Shaun McCourt.
Shaun McCourt joined the Giggin4Good team in 2013 and presents this latest concert along with Emma, Hayley and Karen. They may just have another Disney hit on their hands here as Wish Upon A Star hopes to show that ‘dreams really do come true’.
By Julie Robinson @missjulie25
Giggin4Good – When You Wish Upon A Star takes place at the Actor’s Church in Covent Garden on Sunday 18th May 2014.
You can keep up with all news about the event on Twitter: @Giggin4Good
Tuesday 22nd April 2014
