PERFORMING arts students in the North East are donating all the proceeds from their upcoming cabaret show to support families fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Each year, second-year students at the University of Sunderland put together a cabaret show at a venue in the city centre as part of their Performing Arts Degree.
Showcasing the students’ talents in comedy, music and burlesque, the fundraising evening this year takes place at The Peacock, in High Street West.
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In previous years, any money raised during the annual cabaret event is invested back into funding other student performances, but this year, responding to the desperate plight of millions of Ukrainians crossing European borders to safety, the students decided the money should go towards charities supporting those people impacted by the war.
The show will take place on Tuesday, April 5.
Student Paula Zbrehova, from Czechoslovakia, who will be starring in the show, said: “Our reason for changing this cabaret into a fundraising event is because we want to use our platform to support people who are suffering and losing their homes due to war.
“We can’t imagine how it must be to leave everything you know and have behind and run to different countries where you don’t speak the language and don’t know the people.
“While we were creating this piece of performance somewhere on the other side of Europe someone had to fight for their life. That is why we want to dedicate this performance to everyone who had to experience war.
Dr Adelle Hulsmeier, senior lecturer in Performing Arts and Programme Leader for Screen Performance at the university, added: “The cabaret performance always showcases a high standard of creative work from the students.
“The work asks the audience to question some of the political situations we are facing in our society today; it is done with humour but is simultaneously and innovatively thought-provoking.
“This is probably one of the best placed modules on the degree to fund raise for such a worthy cause. We commend the students for their hard work, dedication, and maturity in approaching complex issues.”
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