THERE BUT
FOR THE GRACE

Tasked with creating an unprecedented major donor event, I devised a dinner for 26 philanthropists where A-list actors collaborated with homeless performers at The Grapes, Ian McKellen’s beautiful Victorian pub overlooking the Thames. Here, Dickens penned the opening to Our Mutual Friend, which was read by Ian to open the event. 

On this night, legendary and homeless actors performed short readings from classic homeless texts by candlelight, ranging from King Lear to The Caretaker. The performances were directed by theatre director and co-owner of The Grapes, Sean Mathias. Guests included Sir Nicholas Hytner and the Lord Mayor of London.