Norwich’s Theatre Royal has pledged to donate 50p from each ticket sale for war drama Private Peaceful to fundraising for Ukraine.
Theatregoers have already donated more than £33,000 via bucket collections after shows at the theatre, along with sister venues Norwich Playhouse and Stage Two.
The cash will be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Collections will continue until the end of Private Peaceful on 18 June.
To add to the funds raised, Norwich Theatre will also be donating 50p from every ticket sold for Private Peaceful (16 – 18 June, Norwich Theatre Royal) to the appeal.
Chief executive Stephen Crocker said: “The events in Ukraine have shocked us all. I’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our loyal audiences, and I would like to personally thank everyone who has donated so far.
“As a Theatre of Sanctuary, we believe it is our duty to do something, and our audience has felt the same with a fantastic amount raised so far. We are pleased to continue our support to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal with further buckets collections and by donating 50p of every ticket sold for Private Peaceful.
“As well as fundraising, what theatre can also do is provide safe space to reflect and we hope Private Peaceful, a story of courage, family, and friendship in the midst of conflict, will help all those of us struggling with what is going on in the world right now.”
The DEC is a registered charity which is raising funds for food, water, medicine, protection and trauma care for people fleeing the war. Every pound donated by the UK public to the DEC will be matched by the UK Government, up to the value of £20m.
Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful tells of the Peaceful brothers’ rural lives that get destroyed by the outbreak of war. Set against the backdrop of WW1, 18-year-old Private Tommo Peaceful is in the trenches and journeys through his most cherished memories, telling his story of courage and friendship.
