On Thursday 12 August Creation Theatre Company held a benefit performance of Romeo and Juliet at Saïd Business School to support Helen & Douglas House.

A packed house saw the profits from the show donated to Helen & Douglas House in the interval. Katie Catling, Creation’s Administration Manager, presented the cheque to Kate Day, on behalf of Helen & Douglas House. James Sobol-Kelly, who plays Friar Lawrence in the production, gave an uplifting speech describing the visit he and his fellow actors had made to the East Oxford hospice prior to the performance.

The total amount raised once door sales were counted after the event was £3263.12. A further £322.06 was raised through a raffle and by cash donations given by the audience before and after the show.

Helen & Douglas House is a registered charity providing respite and end of life care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions, as well as support and friendship for the whole family. The two hospice houses are bright, vibrant and positive places, where the emphasis is on living life to the full, even when that life may be short.

Creation Theatre Company, also a registered charity, is this year celebrating its 15th anniversary of presenting lively and accessible open air Shakespeare productions and workshops in extraordinary Oxford locations. This summer its new production, Romeo and Juliet, is being performed in the stunning rooftop Amphitheatre at the Saïd Business School until 4 September. The amazing amphitheatre and delightful courtyard lined with imported Italian trees is not usually open to the public.

David Parrish, Creation’s Artistic and Executive Director, said today “Thank you to those audience members who bought tickets and generously donated to support Helen & Douglas House. We are delighted to lend our support to such a wonderful organisation.”

Vanessa Fay, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Helen & Douglas House said: “We are thrilled to have received this wonderful donation from this special performance of Romeo and Juliet. It will enable us to provide about 24 days of nursing care for children, and young adults who stay with us for respite, emergency and end of life care, which is a tremendously valuable contribution”.