Cardboard Citizens celebrated 25 years of making life-changing work with and for homeless people at its biennial fundraising dinner hosted by Kate Winslet, CBE on Friday.
The gala, held at The Yard in Shoreditch, was attended by nearly 200 guests, including Olivier Award-winning actor Rory Kinnear who pledged his ongoing support to the company as a new Cardboard Citizens Ambassador.
Kate Winslet announced Rory Kinnear’s new position with the theatre company and charity as she spoke to guests about her decade with Cardboard Citizens and introduced more than 25 of its Members to the stage to perform.
Devised and written by young Members aged 16 to 25 – all of whom have experience of homelessness – the powerful musical performance, which was inspired by their own experiences, was supported by a Cardboard Citizens Member choir formed specially for the event.
The event also included a live auction, led by former Christie’s auctioneer Tom Best, and a fundraising game of Heads and Tails led by Rory Kinnear.
Speaking about her involvement with Cardboard Citizens, Ambassador Kate Winslet said: “Over the past 10 years I’ve watched Cardboard Citizens go from strength to strength. I’ve also seen first-hand the effect that fundraising events like this have had for the charity – from helping to secure a new fit for purpose home, where Members can feel safe and part of a positive community, to enabling the organisation to work nationally, reaching more homeless people than ever before and exploring the issues that these people face across the UK.
“This year is particularly special as Cardboard Citizens celebrates 25 years of changing lives and challenging perceptions around homelessness. Let’s come together to ensure the organisation continues to thrive for at least another 25 years.”
Ambassador Rory Kinnear said: “I am honoured to be an Ambassador for Cardboard Citizens, an unusual charity which uses theatre in multiple ways to help homeless and ex-homeless people move forwards with their lives. This year the company is celebrating its 25th birthday, by doing the same things it has done for the past 25 years: offering support to homeless people, using theatre to help people get stronger and more confident, training and employing people as actors, and mounting productions which encourage wider debate about homelessness, its causes and its cures.
I have always believed in the transformative power of the arts and to have seen first-hand how effectively Cardboard Citizens use theatre and creative participation to engage, educate and empower those affected by homelessness is truly humbling.”
Every year Cardboard Citizens reaches thousands of people with experience of homelessness through theatre, performed by and to homeless and marginalised people in hostels, prisons, community centres and theatres.
Homelessness comes in many guises, and Cardboard Citizens has been working with people across the entire spectrum of homelessness since it was founded in 1991 with the aim of creating lasting and meaningful change.
At its home in Whitechapel, the charity offers a Membership programme for anyone vulnerable to or with experience of homelessness with free information and advice sessions, as well as a packed programme of workshops and training to build confidence and obtain qualifications, employment and progression opportunities.
Cardboard Citizens also produces work for the general public to raise awareness of issues faced by those who are marginalised. Its award nominated (Best Production & Best Ensemble, The Offies) season of work exploring the history of housing, Home Truths, concluded at The Bunker earlier this month following a four star critically acclaimed run. Its associated festival of events, The Home Truths Festival of Heritage Events, supported by the National Lottery Fund (HLF), continues until July.
Continuing its 25th anniversary year of activity, the company’s sell-out production Cathy will return to play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival following its hugely success 2016-2017 tour.
Written by Ali Taylor and directed by Cardboard Citizens’ Artistic Director and Founder Adrian Jackson, Cathy is a powerful and timely reflection on the social and personal impact of spiralling housing costs, gentrification and the challenges of forced relocation. Exploring resonances with Ken Loach’s seminal film Cathy Come Home, the show will play at the Pleasance Theatre’s King Dome from 2 to 26 August.
The general public can support Cardboard Citizens’ work by donating at www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk
Cardboard Citizens presents
Cathy
Venue: King Dome, Pleasance, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017
Dates: Wed 2 August-Sat 26 August, (not 9, 14, 21), 3.30pm
Prices:
Aug 2-4, £6.50
Aug 5- 8, 11-13, 18- 20, 25 & 26, £11.00 (£10.00)
Aug 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24, £10.00 (£8.50)
Aug 15 & 22, £8.50 (£7.50)
Running time: 90mins
Tickets available at www.edfringe.com or www.pleasance.co.uk
The line-up for The Home Truths Festival of Heritage Events can be found here www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/HTFestival
Twitter/Instagram: @CardboardCitz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cardboardcitizens
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/cardboardcitztv
www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/
