Welcome to BARD AID!

For full info about the day & how to be part of it - click 'Read Story'

My name is Emma Dewhurst and I live in Whitstable in Kent. I am an actress, life coach and mother. I'm also a member of the SGI-UK, which means that I'm a Nichiren Buddhist who chants daily for world peace.

Bard Aid is inspired by my Buddhist practice, my amazing daughter (who was taking action long before I was), and what became an overwhelming feeling that I had to do something, however small, to help the unspeakable situation in Gaza.

In spite of what is going on in the world, which I and so many others find incomprehensible, morally wrong, and frightening, I have a great belief in humanity, and in our ongoing capacity for kindness. Wondering what on earth I could do to help, I considered what I know and care about - human beings, theatre, peace and Shakespeare, and came up with the idea of Bard Aid!

What is Bard Aid?

Bard Aid is an epic, one-day, 14 hour playreading marathon of five of Shakespeare's best-known plays. Funds will be raised via donations, sponsorship of actor-readers and contributions from the audience. The British Red Cross have been brilliant in their support, and all monies raised will go specifically to the Gaza Crisis Appeal.

Which plays will we read?

Julius Caesar (8.30am start)

Twelfth Night (11.15am start)

Much Ado About Nothing (2.15pm start)

The Tempest (5pm start)

A Midsummer Night's Dream (7.45pm start)

I know that Shakespeare means different things to different people, but I've tried to choose plays which are popular, much-loved (though you can't please everyone, I know) and not too long!

Why Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare has been a long-time friend of mine.

I'm the daughter of an actress and a writer, and Shakespeare was often part of my life as a child. I was taken to see his to his plays, and on my eleventh birthday my parents gave me 'The Collected Works of William Shakespeare'. The inscription reads 'To our dear Emma on her 11th birthday'. Not long after, the family imploded and my mother, actress Eve Pearce, was sadder than a sad thing until, one day out of the blue, the Casting Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company called, and asked her to join the company to understudy Mistress Quickly in a production of 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'. It was the start of many years with the Company - she quickly graduated to playing actual parts. It was a bit of a golden age for the RSC and I spent many happy hours in Stratford-on-Avon getting to know the company, all starry-eyed and dreaming about joining them one day. Sadly, I never did (but still live in hope - my last audition for the RSC was a couple of years ago!).

Shakespeare's plays speak to the human condition better than any writer I know, so really that's the nub of it.

How Can I Join In?

You are most welcome to be part of Bard Aid! In fact, the more people who join in, the greater the impact will be:

1. Become an Actor-Reader on the day.

There are lots of parts! I invite anyone who has a strong voice and would like to be part of the magic to register to read. All readers must either sponsor themselves to read, or collect sponsorship via this page. You can even request to play a specific part.

2. Volunteer to help on the day

Bard Aid runs from 8am to 10pm (+ clearing up time) so I need lots of people to help on the day. Roles include Front Desk (a welcoming role); Stewarding (also face-to-face, helping readers and audience to have a good day); Kitchen Stewards (making and serving teas and coffees, prepping food, cooking etc); First Aiders etc. You will not have to be there all day (unless you want to be!) - shifts are 3/4 hours.

3. Sponsor an Actor-reader

All readers will be collecting sponsorship. Donate via this page and mention who you are supporting in the comments OR sponsor yourself to read!

4. Come and join the Audience

Donate here to watch one or more of the plays. You can stay for as long or as little time as you like, though we would hope you will choose which play you want to hear and stay to the end of that reading.

How can I register to volunteer or become an actor-reader?

Please go to this Google form that I've made to register for either (or both!) roles.

Event details

Date: Saturday 19 July 2025

Times: 8.30am ( first play begins ) - c. 10pm.

Find each play’s start time above. Please note, if we get busy, there is a cap of 100 people allowed into the hall, so do arrive on time for the play you want to hear.

Venue: Wesley Hall, St John's Methodist Church, Whitstable CT5 1JS, Kent

Access: The venue is wheelchair accessible via a ramp

There are toilets and a kitchen. Refreshments will be served all day for suggested donations.

We will have a cardreader and cash tins and a QR code leading to this page on the day.

Why is your target £6001?

Many years ago, in the late 1990s, as a young woman, I ran an event similar to Bard Aid once before. That time we held it in my dear friend Deena's house (she who drew our lovely Shakespeare for the logo) and raised £6000 for the Kosovan refugee crisis. So naturally it is a point of pride to me to raise more than we raised all those years ago! Please help me to make it happen.

How can I find out more about Nichiren Buddhism?

You can visit the Sokka Gakkai International (SGI-UK) website, or mention that you'd lke to know more to me on the day.

Thank you so much for your donation

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.

In love, peace and shared humanity,

Emma x

What the Red Cross says:

'The ongoing conflict and situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Famine is looming, clean water is scarce, and the healthcare system has all but collapsed. Most people have fled from their homes, but there is nowhere safe left to go. We are witnessing unacceptable and relentless human suffering. Aid alone will not solve this crisis, but it will save lives. People urgently need clean water, food, and medical care. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams have already helped over half the population, working tirelessly to alleviate suffering wherever they can.

Please note:

The Gaza Crisis Appeal will support people in areas affected and those potentially affected in the future by this crisis. Gift Aid claimed on donations received in response to this appeal will be used to fund the whole of our work. In the event there are surplus funds raised for this appeal these will be used for the general charitable purposes of the British Red Cross.'

Photo Credit: Charlie Carter - Emma D's profile pic