Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter among actors in Jermyn Street Theatre's Sonnet Project

Sonnet project: Aimee Lou Wood, Jamael Westman, Helena Bonham Carter and Olivia Colman step in to help the Jermyn Street Theatre
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Zoe Paskett29 April 2020

A star-studded line-up of actors including Olivia Colman, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy West and Jamael Westman have stepped in to support the Jermyn Street Theatre.

The pandemic lockdown caused the theatre to lose 95 per cent of its income, and it later suffered flooding after a pipe burst in a neighbouring building destroying the workshop, technical stores, office and dressing rooms.

Actors are taking part in the theatre’s Sonnet Project, which sees one of Shakespeare’s sonnets performed every day for 154 days on YouTube, raising money for the theatre's fundraiser. Beginning with Hannah Morrish’s performance of Sonnet 1 on March 21, it has already featured appearances from David Suchet, Miriam Margolyes and Hannah Murray.

The full line-up of stars will also include Tobias Menzies, Aimee Lou Wood, Grace Saif, Penelope Wilton, Penelope Keith and Julie Hesmondhalgh.

They will be performing sonnets from their bathrooms, kitchens, gardens and daily walks, each day until the end of August. As well as the familiar faces, 55 sonnets will be performed by the graduating students of drama schools, who have missed out on their final showcases.

“The Sonnet Project shows the best of theatre’s community spirit,” said Jermyn Street artistic director Tom Littler.

"When you sit down with a group of strangers in a theatre – especially a tiny theatre like ours – you share something important. Laughing together, crying together, holding your breath together. It's that shared community that's helping Jermyn Street Theatre now.”

A crowdfunding campaign has now raised nearly £50,000 for the theatre.

Littler continued: “We always try to be the smallest theatre with the biggest heart. We've been so moved by the generosity of our audience – their financial support but also all the encouragement they've sent by email, letter and on social media.

“The doors are closed, but the theatre is open."

Watch all videos for the Sonnet Project here

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