The National Theatre's Next Chapter Gala raised £2 million to improve access to theatre, with the venue transformed into a forest for the event. The evening, themed around 'the family show', featured a puppet performance of The Jungle Book and dinner under a canopy of plants in the Lyttelton theatre.
Among the guests were actors Cate Blanchett, Celia Imrie, James Corden, and Russell Tovey. Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh discussed the need for subsidised theatre tickets, stating that 'taking a family to theatre is quite pricey'. Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies teased his upcoming Channel 4 show Tip Toe, describing it as about 'two neighbours at war'.
Elsewhere in London, Ryan Gosling attended the premiere of his film Project Hail Mary at Cineworld Leicester Square. Paddington: The Musical won nine awards at the WhatsOnStage awards, while Stephen Fry won best supporting performer for his role in The Importance of Being Earnest.
At Next Door Records in Stoke Newington, actor Fisher Stevens gave advice on breaking into the film industry, emphasising the importance of staying focused during periods without work. American soda brand Poppi launched in the UK with a pop-up in Shoreditch, attended by Maya Jama and Leomie Anderson.
