The Stage

Christie, Lumley and Stewart join Human Rights Watch line-up

Published Friday 6 June 2008 at 17:25 by Lalayn Baluch

Julie Christie, Joanna Lumley and Patrick Stewart are among a host of stars set to perform at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on June 8, in support of charity Human Rights Watch.

Juliet Stevenson, Oona Chaplin and Ian McKellan will also take part in the event, entitled Cries From the Heart: Tyranny, directed by Thea Sharrock.

The themes of dictatorship and tyranny will be explored through poetry, drama, satire and music. Acclaimed writers Ariel Dorfman, Colm Toibin and Derek Walcott will contribute new work for the evening, and journalist George Alaghia will also take part.

A special message from Desmond Tutu will be screened during the evening.

The event’s co-patron and leading actor Anthony Sher said: “As artists, I believe it is crucial that we use our voices to speak up for human rights. Along with all the other artists taking part, I am proud to be able to make a contribution to raising awareness of the most important global issue of our time. We are deeply honoured that Desmond Tutu has agreed to lend his powerful support to the evening.”

Also featuring in the event will be Claire Bloom, Joe Mydell, Lemn Sissay, Patti Smith, Roger Waters and Richard Wilson.

Human Rights Watch UK development director Laura Boardman added: “Human Rights Watch depends on a worldwide network of researchers, lawyers and journalists committed to our cause.

“Artists are increasingly bringing a new perspective to the global debate about human rights. We are hugely encouraged by their support and their individual responses to the work of Human Rights Watch.”