Ariel Company Theatre mark birthday with successful fundraiser

Ariel Company Theatre have been producing shows in Sussex for nearly 30 years.

Their Drama Academies, based in Burgess Hill, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horsham and Shoreham, are celebrating their 15th anniversary this year.

The event included performances from Ariel Drama Academies principals, tutors, Ariel actors and past students, who all recorded their performances remotely under the theme of Parts We’ll Never Play.

Ariel’s patron Nigel Harman, compered the event.

Nicci Hopson, Ariel’s artistic director and founder, said: “We are overwhelmed with the amount of money raised for our chosen charity.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, our usual fundraising activities haven’t been able to take place so we wanted to do something for this amazing organisation.

“I’m proud of our Ariel community for embracing this concert and raising such a huge amount that which will make such a difference.”

“The total raised currently stands at £1,628, with the concert staking up an incredible 5,500 views in two days.

“Both figures are still rising.”

Nicci added: “The Kangaroos is a disability charity based in Mid Sussex who provide a range of fun, inclusive social and leisure activities all year round for children and young adults with learning disabilities and additional needs.

“Ariel have a close connection with this organisation as several of their students from their thriving special and additional needs groups, The Othellos, attend Kangaroos.”

Ariel Company Theatre are already making plans for further events.

Beth Gavin, Ariel’s business manager, said: “Nothing beats the experience of live theatre, but for the moment, this is the next best thing.

“Bringing joy and moments of escapism into people’s lives is what Ariel do best.

“It’s been very special for us to create this event and raise money for The Kangaroos all at the same time.”

To view the event, follow www.facebook.com/arielcompanytheatre

You can make donations to the cause via Just Giving.

If you’d like to find out more about Ariel’s Drama Academies, costume and theatre equipment hire, you can contact Ariel via the website www.arielct.com or call 01444 250407.

Among the concert highlights, Abi Paige, Crawley Academy principal and Ariel’s Junior Musicality choir director gave a rendition of Waving Through A Window from West End and Broadway smash hit Dear Evan Hansen; Anna and James Hadden, longstanding Ariel members, performed Ready Set, Not Yet from Beetlejuice; Chloe Sparrowhawk and Jarrod Hopson, Ariel Tutors at Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Horsham, performed Something to Believe in from the Broadway musical Newsies; and Adam Lay, Ariel tutor at Shoreham Academy, performed Turn Back O Man from Godspell.

David Harris sang The Man That Got Away from the first musical version of A Star is Born; Jo and David Goodall sang Love is an Open Door from Frozen; Harry Simpson, past student and now tutor, sang Pulled from The Addams Family; Matt Roberts, Ariel actor and supporter, sang Cabaret from Cabaret; and Chelsea Hennessey, past student and now tutor at Burgess Hill and Horsham, sang You’ll Be Back from Hamilton.