QX Magazine

Robert Fieldhouse reports on Make a Difference Trust’s recent West End Eurovision theatrical spectacular…

The Make A Difference Trust is celebrating its 21st year in 2012, having raised over £3 million to date to support people living with HIV and actors facing hard times.

For the past five years the casts of ten of London’s top musicals have battled it out for what has to be the most coveted trophy in London’s Theatre Land.

And so, once again this year West End Eurovision offered the cream of London’s musical theatre – think Wicked, Mamma Mia, Billy Elliot – the chance to delve into the entire Eurovision back catalogue, pick a tune, rehearse it to perfection and compete with rival musical stars to be to be crowned West End Eurovision Winner 2012. And it raises bundles of cash for the MAD Trust.

Over 450 people were involved in the show. This year it got streamed live online and was watched by a 2,000 strong audience at London’s Dominion Theatre through ‘til the small hours of the morning.

Judges Tony Blackburn, Kerry Ellis and Hart to Hart’s Stefanie Powers handed the top prize to the cast of Sweeney Todd, who swept us away with this year’s trophy with a rendition of Michael Ball’s 1992 Eurovision entry ‘One Step Out of Time’.

Ball is currently starring in Sweeney Todd and promptly pitched up on stage to slit the throat of the actor singing his song! Judge Stefanie Powers said she was there looking for flesh; she certainly got her pound of flesh and blood.

• Photos: Kate Jenkins, Heloise Bergman, Terry Bradford