Acting for Others marks the tenth anniversary of its One Night Only fundraiser with a star-studded event at Simpson’s on the Strand on 22 March 2026. The occasion features leading actors stepping into front-of-house roles, supporting the charity’s work in a unique theatre-meets-restaurant evening.

Performers from stage and screen, including Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, and many others, will take on roles such as maître d’, bartenders, and serving staff at Simpson’s on the Strand, shadowing the restaurant’s regular team. The event is part of the venue’s reopening celebrations after refurbishment by Jeremy King Restaurants.

Hosted by Samantha Bond and Richard Clifford, One Night Only will showcase actors Geraldine Alexander, Lorraine Ashbourne, Annette Badland, Richard Fleeshman, Freddie Fox, and others lending their time and talents to fundraising efforts.

The evening will also feature live and silent auctions led by antiques expert Charlie Ross, with experiences such as theatre outings and dinners with performers among the lots.

Acting for Others co-chairman Stephen Waley-Cohen highlighted the event’s significance as both a celebration of the charity’s milestone and the restaurant’s reopening. All funds raised will benefit the charity’s ongoing support for theatre professionals.

The line-up, which currently includes a broad spectrum of stage names such as Tamzin Outhwaite, Arlene Phillips, Jodie Prenger, Caroline Quentin, Amanda Redman, Anne Reid, Hugh Sachs and others, remains subject to change, with further participants to be announced closer to the date.

This fusion of theatre community and hospitality marks a continued trend of inventive charity events merging performance with social engagement, underlining the sector’s resilience and camaraderie.