This Is London - 15 July 2020

JOE ALLEN LAUNCHES A SERIES OF
VIRTUAL CABARET EVENINGS
On Saturday 4 July, Joe Allen, the
New York brasserie and West End
restaurant, launched their first virtual
cabaret evening with a host of well
known guests and musical performances
streamed live into homes worldwide to
raise money for those in crisis in
London’s Theatreland.
As a pillar of the theatre community in
London for over four decades, the Covent
Garden stalwart has teamed up with
Acting for Others, a charity that provides
financial and emotional support to all
theatre workers in times of need through
the 14 member charities. Having provided
solace and sustenance to theatre lovers,
actors and beyond for many years, Joe
Allen now need a helping hand to ensure
that they are able to reopen.
Bringing Broadway to bedrooms for
an evening of celebration, La Voix
compèred the night, known for her
raucous comedy and impressions,
steering from act to act. In true Joe Allen
style, viewers were invited to descend
into a restaurant that came to life in front
of their eyes and recreated the longed for
dining experience with a twist. As the
camera swept through the red velvet
curtains and across the wooden floors,
the famed posters that line the walls of
the much loved restaurant lit up as
familiar faces performed.
To kick off the night, a drinks order
was taken, but here, viewers were
encouraged to create their own Joe Allen
cocktail, having been sent a list of
ingredients prior, during a masterclass
where lead bartender Alex Barbu was
shaking up their signature tipple,
enabling them to sip along for the
duration of the show.
Reminiscent of Sunday Night at the
London Palladium, there were a host of
varied acts, not least a sketch by
Britain’s Got Talent finalist, the comedy
writer and ventriloquist, Steve Hewlett.
The evening also included seasoned
actors Patricia Hodge and Sir Derek
Jacobi and singer Gary Wilmot alongside
West End stars past and present, lending
their voices to the cause as they belted
out famous melodies from the most
popular musicals from award winning
Company to Guys and Dolls, and perhaps
a request or two.
‘Joe Allen has been a long-standing
part of the theatrical community and it is
a pleasure for us to be involved and we
thank them for their support for Acting for
Others. The funds raised will make a
difference to the many beneficiaries of our
fourteen member charities,’ says Acting
for Others co-chair Stephen Waley
Cohen.
‘The West End has been particularly
devastated by the pandemic and without
this support, Joe Allen may not be able to
reopen, as such we wanted to use this
time to shine a light on ourselves and
also others in need in the theatre industry
through Acting for Others. Broadway is in
our blood and we have always been a
home away from home for actors so we
hope that this show will unite our
community and loyal guests for an
evening of fun, laughter and merriment
during these troubled times! We can’t wait
to stand shoulder to sequinned shoulder
with our beloved theatrical family, the
show must go on!’ says General Manager
Cathy Winn.
The show can still be viewed on
youtube, head to their Instagram to get
access to the link plus lots more great
content:@joeallenlondon
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