OnlineTickets | BookingLine 01473 433100

Following the success of the launch of World Hunger Day on January 9th 2011, The Hunger Project UK is delighted to announce that an ALL Star gala featuring The Royal Ballet’s Gary Avis and Friends is all set to take place at The Regent Theatre, Ipswich on September 11th, 2011 in aid of The Hunger Project.

Angela Rippon, Patron | The Hunger Project UK

Tickets are on sale from June 10th at 9.30am.

THP UK Patrons Gary Avis, Angela Rippon OBE and World Hunger Day star performers Steven McRae and Jumoké Fashola will be joined at the event by a host of stars from the ballet world. Full Details

Gary says: ‘’I’m so delighted that The Royal Ballet’s  Roberta Marquez, Nehemiah Kish, Melissa Hamilton, Paul Kay, Leanne CopeYuhui Choe, Liam Scarlett and Bennet Gartside will be joining us this time with very special guest English National Ballet’s Principal Ballerina Begoña Cao, who some of you will remember attended The Hunger Project’s 30th Birthday gathering a couple of years ago, also performing will be The Royal Opera’s Nigel Cliffe and pianists Kate Shipway and Peter Edwards.’’

The Royal Ballet's Gary Avis & Friends“I was brought up to believe that we are all better off if we support one another. I’ve performed at many charity gigs over the years and it feels like the right thing to do. Why wouldn’t you want to use the talents you have to support a worthy cause?’

 “Both Angela and I are really proud to be patrons of The Hunger Project. Although The Hunger Project is a relatively small charity compared with the big players, it is very smart in it’s approach to tackling poverty. The charity has 350 staff around the world who mobilise volunteer leaders, with a particular focus on women, to work within their own communities. So far there are almost 400,000 volunteer leaders working in 24,000 villages worldwide.’’

Gary wants to raise awareness as well as money for The Hunger Project and his desire to support the charity was inspired by the events of January 9th, 2011. ‘’I was part of the audience for Dionne Warwick and Friends, it was an incredible evening and I could see the way that the performers were able to do what they do so brilliantly whilst as the same time inspiring the audience to stand up and support the cause. I thought to myself, I could do that, so that is exactly what my friends and I are going to do.’’

 ‘‘I also wanted to include the local community in the two shows, so I’ve asked my friends from The Co-op Juniors, Ipswich Operatic and Dramatic Society, Appeal Theatre Group and The Gallery Players to join together as a mass choir for the evening. Also we have young performers from my original dance school, Linda Shipton School of Dance. I’d especially love young people to both hear about The Hunger Project and experience and interact with world class dance. And to make this a real possibility, ticket prices start at £10 with special prices for families and groups of young people and I am also going to be doing dance workshops with local children around the concert event.’’ 

The Royal Ballet’s Gary Avis and Friends in aid of The Hunger Project will take place at The Regent Theatre, Ipswich, on Sunday, September 11, 1.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets £10-£60 (concessions, family, group and VIP packages available) can be booked on 01473 433100 or at www.ipswichregent.com. Booking fees apply. Tickets are on sale from June 10th at 9.30am.

You can support Gary and The Hunger Project by *Texting GARY11 £3 to 70070 | Other ways to Give
*JustTextGiving by Vodafone text messages are free on all UK networks. Your donation will appear on your mobile phone bill. If you are under 18, please seek parental consent before using this service.

Gary has launched his fundraising page on JustGiving – dig deep!

Why not set up your own regional event or fundraising activity to raise money for World Hunger Day. Whether you want to walk, bake, rake, use the talents you have and get involved.  Have fun and don’t forget to share you ideas with us, they might inspire others to get involved too.