An evening with Sir Lenny Henry

For one night only, national treasure Sir Lenny Henry hosts a special event to raise funds for the Bush Theatre, performing extracts from his smash-hit play, August in England.

Returning to the Bush, Lenny Henry will reprise his role as “August” – the charismatic Brummie greengrocer with the gift of the gab, whose world is turned upside down in the wake of the Windrush scandal.

Bringing his unique blend of wit, warmth, and storytelling, Lenny will perform selected extracts from his critically acclaimed one-man show, followed by a live Q&A about his trailblazing career chaired by culture writer and podcaster, Nancy Durrant.

Join us for an intimate and unforgettable evening of theatre magic with a true legend, and help support the future of new writing.

Why are we raising funds?
Despite sold-out performances, two recent West End transfers, and a passionate community of supporters, the Bush Theatre finds itself on a financial precipice. As a charity, the Bush faces rising costs and a real-terms reduction in government funding. To safeguard our vital artist development programmes, we need to raise an additional £100,000 by April 2025.

Safeguarding Artist Development
At the Bush, we are dedicated to providing pathways for talent development for British and Irish writers, with a particular focus on Black and Brown voices. However, many of these vital programmes that nurture new artists are now under threat.

This includes our annual Open Submissions call-out for scripts, which provides an opportunity for over 1,000 writers without agents or connections to have their work read. This programme has been key to discovering fresh talent, but due to funding shortages and consistently rising costs, it is now at risk of closure. The loss of this crucial initiative would sever a vital link in the development of the theatrical canon.

By attending this exclusive event, you can play a vital role in this work. Artists have been at the heart of this small and mighty orgnisation for over 50 years, launching the careers of luminaries like Richard Gadd, Benedict Lombe, James Graham, Waleed Akhtar, Tyrell Williams, Arinzé Kene and Victoria Wood. With your support, we can continue to evolve the canon, and ensure the future of British theatre reflects the city, and world, we live in.