A star-studded cast is lined up for There’s No Place Like Home at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, on Sunday 22 October 2023 at 7.30pm. The evening celebrates the launch of The Charlie Kristensen Foundation by Charlie, a 13-year-old multi-award-winning anti-bullying campaigner, stage and screen actor and presenter of #MusicalChairs online chat show.
The line-up of top musical theatre performers will include Allyson Ava-Brown (Hamilton, Les Misérables), Jenna Boyd (Come From Away, The Wind in the Willows), Allie Daniel (Legally Blonde, Happy Meal), Jacob Fowler (Heathers, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Adrian Hansel (We Will Rock You, Guys and Dolls), Dom Hartley-Harris (Bonnie & Clyde, Hamilton), Sophia Nomvete (Amazon’s The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Netflix’s Wednesday), Mark Oxtoby (Back to the Future, Guys and Dolls),Bradley Riches (Heartstopper, Kin The Musical) and Ella Vaday (BBC’s Rupaul’s Drag Race UK, Sumotherhood). The show will be hosted by Jodie Prenger (Oliver!, Spamalot).
Ahead of the concert we chatted with Charlie to discuss the event.
What first inspired you to produce a concert?
I didn't want to just launch the charity, I wanted to combine my love of theatre, so thought the best way to do this was by putting on a show. Luckily, James Quaife and Robin Rayner from New Frame Productions agreed to my bold and crazy idea.
I didn't want to just launch the charity, I wanted to combine my love of theatre, so thought the best way to do this was by putting on a show. Luckily, James Quaife and Robin Rayner from New Frame Productions agreed to my bold and crazy idea.
How do you look back to your younger self and to where you are now?
I look back at how scared and lonely I felt, thinking there was never a way out. I don't ever want to feel like that again but I'm also so proud that at 9 I was able to think that perhaps we could make a change.
I look back at how scared and lonely I felt, thinking there was never a way out. I don't ever want to feel like that again but I'm also so proud that at 9 I was able to think that perhaps we could make a change.
How much has theatre helped you come through the challenges of bullying that you've faced?
Theatre allows me to escape, to be who I truly am and the community is so welcoming that you never feel alone.
Theatre allows me to escape, to be who I truly am and the community is so welcoming that you never feel alone.
What would your message be to anyone who has also been bullied?
Talk, talk, talk, it won't make it go away but it will stop you feeling alone. As kids we aren't encouraged to talk enough and this has to change.
Talk, talk, talk, it won't make it go away but it will stop you feeling alone. As kids we aren't encouraged to talk enough and this has to change.
How did you approach selecting performers that are going to take part in the evening?
I had a wish list of songs and with the Producers (New Frame Productions) and Director Dean Johnson, the vision of the performers to sing those particular songs grew.
I had a wish list of songs and with the Producers (New Frame Productions) and Director Dean Johnson, the vision of the performers to sing those particular songs grew.
I am so excited that after 4 years we are building a legacy to last for many years. I want it to be associated with acceptance and to be a place where children feel safe, and I do also want to take my story to every primary school in the UK.
What would you hope an audience member takes away from coming to see the concert?
The fact that they matter and that the theatre is a really cool fun place to be. It's a place for everyone.
The fact that they matter and that the theatre is a really cool fun place to be. It's a place for everyone.
There’s No Place Like Home takes place on Sunday 22nd October at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/theres-no-place-like-home/
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