Over The Rainbow raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support

Brian Fortuna (Danny), Sarah Jane Buckley (Eva), Maureen Nolan (Barbara) at the fund-raising luncheon.

On a damp and drizzly lunchtime in Jesmond, the cast and crew of a hit musical gathered at a local restaurant and invited fifty guests to join them for an afternoon of fund-raising, food and fabulous entertainment in a place ‘where troubles melt like lemon drops’.

To coincide with the seventh sensational UK tour of the award-winning and compelling musical, Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story, which journeys through Eva’s tragically short life, Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant in association with Theatre Productions Limited held an exclusive VIP Charity Lunch to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. If you or someone you know has been affected by this then please do not hesitate to contact Macmillan for further advice.

The event took place on Wednesday 12^th October from 12 noon until 2.30pm. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbly. In addition to enjoying a two course Italian meal of the finest quality, this was followed by coffee and mints. This all took place in the resplendent surroundings of Franco’s - with its glamorous chandeliers, candlelit tables, Italian baroque furniture, and Swarovski crystal studded seating. 

Guests were also treated to an afternoon of fantastic entertainment, presented by the North East’s very own Steve Walls, an entertainer who is now widely regarded as one of the UK’s top compères.

Contrary to the popular legend, there was no leprechaun sitting at the end of this particular rainbow, but Irish eyes were certainly smiling on the face of the gorgeous Maureen Nolan (The Naked Truth, Blood Brothers and The Nolans) who plays the role of Barbara Cassidy in Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story. And, Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks), who heads the cast as Eva, proved to be the perfect ‘songbird’ with a hauntingly beautiful performance of ‘Over The Rainbow’ – the title song of the musical and the track that triggered Eva Cassidy’s posthumous success.

Strictly Come Dancing sensation Brian Fortuna, who makes his eagerly-anticipated acting debut as Danny Cassidy in the show, and other members of the company also met and mingled with guests and took time to pose for snapshots and sign autographs. The Whitley Bay Playhouse hosted the Over The Rainbow show on the evenings of the 11th and 12th of October to coincide with the fantastic fundraiser which drew large audiences.

Images courtesy of Steve Burbridge

Also in attendance were two of the North East’s most familiar and favourite faces... Pam Royle and Ian Payne, from ITV Tyne Tees, took time out from the hustle and bustle of the North East Tonight newsroom to lend their support to this worthy cause.

A charity raffle was drawn during the event and several lucky guests won fabulous prizes from a selection of luxury goods which were kindly donated by a number of companies including Clay’s Garden Centre, Villeroy & Boch, Nexus, Tyneside Cinema & Coffee Rooms, Blue Genie Entertainment, Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant and Theatre Productions Limited. 

Judith Graziani of Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant said: “Few of us go through life without being touched by cancer in some way and it is vital that we support charities such as Macmillan Cancer Care. This fantastic Over The Rainbow VIP Charity Lunch was a hugely successful event and a very worthwhile way of continuing our ongoing commitment to holding charity events here at Franco’s.”

Stephen Leatherland, the producer and director of Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story, added: “The show is intended to be a truthful, heartfelt tribute to Eva’s life and talents and this VIP Charity Lunch was a wonderful way of raising money for such a worthy cause.”

The Over The Rainbow VIP Charity Lunch raised a grand total of £455.00.

Did you attend this fantastic fundraiser? We'd love to hear from you.

For further information, please contact Steve Burbridge, Press & Marketing Officer for Theatre Productions Ltd via their website or e-mail steveburbridge@blueyonder.co.uk.