Our production of "Sense and Sensibility" is proud to support the work of The Theatrical Guild this summer. We have included a personal story from long-standing Heartbreak writer and friend, David Kerby-Kendall, who benefitted from The Guild's wonderful work at the beginning of his career.

David's story...

"Eighteen years ago, I was told that I had major deep vein issues, that there was nothing that could be done, and I should wear compression stockings for the rest of my life. Now, I really don’t have the legs for stockings (oh, who am I kidding, I totally have the legs for stockings!) but I was relatively young and was devastated. So, off I trotted to a private clinic and, to my huge relief, was told that I could have an operation that would sort out the problem. Of course, the remaining problem was that it would cost an arm and a non-stockinged leg - funds that I didn’t possess.

At the time, I was working as a stage door-keeper at "Phantom Of The Opera", where the lovely and hugely talented Liz Robertson was playing Madam Giry. Liz, it turned out, was also one of the ladies who run The Theatrical Guild Charity. To cut a long (and somewhat emotional) story short, the following week, Liz presented me with a cheque to pay for the operation. To say I shed a small tear would be a vast understatement. The Theatrical Guild saved me from a life of pain and unwanted leg-coverings, and I will be eternally grateful for their extraordinary generosity."

The Theatrical Guild provide personal support and practical help at any stage of someone's career – providing financial grants, welfare guidance or counselling services. Established in 1891 by the actress Kitty Carson as The Theatrical Ladies Guild, the charity has provided essential support to theatre staff for over 130 years. They support the army of Backstage and Front of House theatre staff in the industry and shine a spotlight on the many specialist skills involved in raising the curtain on productions across the UK – and to offer support to our industry colleagues in times of professional or personal crises.

If you are able to donate, you would be helping to continue the wonderful work of TTG. Heartbreak Productions would not exist without our hardworking teams of office staff, production crew and creatives for which we are eternally grateful.