THEATRE lovers due to watch Jason Manford in Curtains the Musical in Southampton last week can get their fix as the show is streamed online for charity tonight.

The hit touring production of Kander and Ebb’s Curtains was due to take to the stage at Mayflower Theatre last week, but had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.

Now a previously recorded version of the show is set to be streamed on the Curtains the Musical website from 7.15pm.

The £7.50 cost will boost the coffers of Funds for Freelancers, a charity set up to support creatives out of work.

Jason Manford plays lead detective Frank Cioffi in the whodunnit showbusiness piece, which follows what happens after a murder occurs during a production destined for Broadway.

The beloved comedian said: “Here’s some great news. The musical Curtains’ we did that was cut short is going to be streamed online for charity.

“Grab a drink and an over priced ice cream and settle down to watch the musical Whodunnit!”

The show opened on tour last autumn with a spell in the West End before returning to the open road at the start of the year. it has been lauded by audiences and critics alike.

Joining Jason is TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Ore Oduba who plays Aaron Fox.

Completing the cast is musical theatre actress Carley Stenson as Georgia Hendriks, fresh from playing Fantine in Les Miserables, Mamma Mia and Phantom of the Opera actress Rebecca Lock as Carmen, Samuel Holmes, best known for The Wedding Singer, as Christopher Belling, Leah West from Disney film Beauty and the Beast as Niki Harris and Top Hat and We Will Rock You actor Alan Burkitt as Bobby. ‬

Paul Taylor-Mills, one of the charity’s founders, added: “A few weeks ago I woke up and like many, felt so helpless as I heard stories of those within the theatre community struggle. I threw caution to the wind and set up a fund with a primary ambition to get funds to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. So far, we have allocated over £50,000 to those in need.

“You can watch Curtains and know that profits will go to the Funds For Freelancers cause. I’m always overwhelmed by the resilience of the theatre community.”

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