Take That will perform at a special gala production of their musical in London on Tuesday night to support our Christmas appeal.
The Theatre Royal Haymarket will be transformed into a black-tie venue, with the stalls seats removed to make way for dinner tables.
Ticket proceeds from the event, which marks the opening night of The Band in the West End, are expected to raise thousands for our AIDSfree appeal with the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Take That founder members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams will perform together on stage.
Sir Elton’s partner David Furnish will host the gala along with master of ceremonies Graham Norton.
The Band, based on Take That’s greatest hits, has been touring the UK and will run at the Theatre Royal until 12 January.
It has been produced by award-winning duo David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, along with Barlow, Donald, Owen and Williams. The musical’s stars include the winners of BBC talent show Let It Shine, broadcast last year. The story follows five teenage female friends obsessed with a boyband, then skips forward to rejoin them 25 years later in their 40s.
Sir Elton, 71, who set up the foundation in 1993, said: “David and I are deeply grateful for the generosity of everyone involved in this production, not least Take That. It will be a fantastic night.”
His charity works in 23 countries to combat the stigma around HIV, provide treatment and assistance, and motivate governments to help end Aids.
Money raised from public donations through the AIDSfree appeal will be used to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation projects in six key cities around the world (London, Nairobi, Atlanta, Kiev, Delhi and Maputo). Through UK Aid Match the UK government will double public donations up to £2m to be spent across projects in Maputo and Nairobi.
