From left: Kevin Spacey, Nichola McAuliffe, O-T Fagbenle, Anthony Head, Vince Vaughn, Nick Moran, Greg Wise.

A co-production with The 24 Hour Company

Now in its sixth year the 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala is one of the most exciting and glamorous evenings in London's theatre calendar. 40 acclaimed actors, directors and writers join forces to write, rehearse and perform six short plays in just 24 hours. It's the ultimate theatrical challenge, culminating in a unique evening played out on one of the world's most celebrated stages. The performance is followed by a glittery post-show party, The 25th Hour.

Past participants have included: Jenny Agutter, Gael Garcia Bernal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jim Broadbent, Saffron Burrows, Joseph Fiennes, Josh Hartnett, Tom Hollander, James Nesbitt, Rosamund Pike, Rufus Sewell, Brooke Shields, Kevin Spacey, Catherine Tate and Vince Vaughn. These artists donate their services to The Old Vic. The cast, which depends on artists' availability nearer the time, will be announced during the month of performance.

How it works: The actors, writers and directors meet for the first time on Saturday night. After a round of introductions and discussion, the group breaks up, the actors and directors going home to sleep, leaving the six writers to cast and write their plays overnight. At 6am on Sunday morning six new works are prised from the weary hands of the writers. Their scripts are delivered as bleary eyed directors arrive back at the theatre for 7am. Directors are allocated to the plays and rehearsals begin against the clock.

The actors have less than 12 hours to rehearse their show and memorise their parts. The curtain goes up to a packed house at 7.30pm and the Gala audience witness the last 22 hours that have been filmed and edited before seeing the end results...

Join us for this adrenaline fuelled evening and toast the cast and creative teams after the show at the glamorous 25th Hour party.

The 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala is the principal annual fundraising event in support of Old Vic New Voices. This department is dedicated to working with young people, developing emerging talent and building new audiences. The Old Vic receives no government subsidy so this event is vital to enable this ongoing work.

For sponsorship opportunities in relation to this event please email

Tina Temple-Morris, Head of Events or phone 020 7902 7582

TICKET PRICES

£250 VIP TICKET

- Credit in the 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala Programme

- Invitation to the dress rehearsal

- Exclusive pre-show champagne and cocktail reception

- Best seats for the performance

- Interval drinks in VIP area

- Access to The 25th Hour post-show party with participants and special guests

£125 TICKET

- Seats for the performance

- Pre-show and interval drinks in the theatre foyers

- Access to The 25th Hour post-show party with participants and special guests

£75 TICKET

- Seats for the performance

- Pre-show and interval drinks in the theatre foyers.

Booking for The 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala is not yet open.

To register your interest in attending this event, please email 24 Hour Plays

For more information on supporting The Old Vic please click here

Photos by Manuel Harlan