Audience members at Aladdin and Crimes on the Christmas Express at Lichfield Garrick donated £11,596 to charity, smashing 2016’s record of £8,318.
The money will be split equally between the Garrick, which will use it to support its youth theatre and community outreach projects, and St Giles Hospice, which will provide care and support to its patients.
Garrick executive director Karen Foster said, “the donations given by our very generous patrons will be used to support our work in education and community projects, allowing people to access the arts, to inspire young artists and to help address social needs through the arts.
“We’re a charity which aims to offer arts education as well as performances, so this is a significant amount which will help us achieve our plans. We’re delighted to have been able to assist St Giles to address a very different kind of social need and offer a huge thank-you to the patrons, staff and actors who made this possible.”
The Garrick has announced that a record-breaking 36,708 patrons enjoyed the festive entertainment provided by the theatre. Aladdin sold out the main auditorium while the Studio was home to two shows staged by New Old Friends, Crimes on the Christmas Express and Home for Christmas. There were 127 performances across the two spaces.
Foster added, “I’m particularly proud that we managed to raise sponsorship to allow 16 deserving families to visit the theatre this year.”