A GALAXY of stars from past Savoy Theatre events turned out to support a fundraiser for the Savoy Youth Theatre following the fire that devastated their base in White Swan Court.

The evening of entertainment raised over £1,000 for the beleaguered group who lost £11,000 worth of costumes and deprived them of a place to call home when a fire started at 4am on 11th May in the room they stored their costumes in, causing many to be lost to smoke damage.

The event was compered by BBC personality Miles Jupp, who himself set a new standard in entertainment with the raffle, the drawing of the tickets providing as much laughter as the main acts themselves; even one of the hecklers ended up with a prize!

Alumni of the Savoy Youth Theatre along with professional actors Kevin Tillett, Robert Trainer, Sarah Hancock Joel Daffurn and Mansel Davies gave an evening of entertainment free of charge to support the youngsters. Songs from the musicals sat alongside a Michael Jackson number and a Two Ronnies sketch on the programme and the ‘Baby Shark’ song by the youngest members stole the show.

Chris Ryde generously gave the stage of The Savoy free of charge for the youth group and Richard Wadley accompanied the acts on the organ.

Mayor of Monmouth Councillor Terry Christopher said: “We were entertained by some highly talented performers who are members of the Savoy Youth Theatre. Despite the recent fire that destroyed their headquarters costumes and props, they are helping themselves to re-establish the group and I would like to wish them every success in their efforts to maintain the company a group that enables young people to reach their potential in the world of theatre an entertainment.”

Further funding activities are being planned to help the Savoy Youth Theatre group get back on their feet and find themselves a new place to rehearse and replace the costumes lost in the fire.