A-list stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Bryan Cranston, Dame Judi Dench, Henry Cavill, Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Black, Steve Martin and more have all recorded a musical video alongside the stars of London’s West End and New York’s Broadway to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.
The project had an unlikely start, far from the bright lights of Hollywood, in the Valleys of south Wales.
Married songwriters Daniel and Laura Curtis, from Bedwas, planned on producing the song they had written featuring only a handful of friends who were currently starring in the West End.
Laura said: “In between writing new musicals or cabaret for Broadway and West End performers, we try and raise money for good causes.
“We were in Florida during the Invictus games in 2016 and we met some true heroes and their amazing families who were staying at the same hotel as us. We decided then and there we wanted to do something but it took us a little bit of planning before we came up with the idea of writing this song.”
The project had so many artists wanting to take part, that production extended into nearly a year. The couple and the performers donated their time whilst several businesses such as Fortnum and Mason, WPP and Fender helped to underwrite the costs of production, which were kept to a bare minimum.
Daniel explained: “It became clear quickly that this project was bigger than our previous ones. People really engaged with the song, which is about a female recruit and her journey.
“Soon we had artists from Broadway signing on, we even had to change the name from A West End Tribute, to A West End and Friends Tribute. Then, when some of the biggest names in Hollywood came on board to record spoken contributions, it was clear to us that so many people shared our vision to make a fitting theatrical tribute for these heroes.”
The couple are hoping the online video, filmed only with mobile devices and their own basic camera will capture a large audience.
Laura added: “We have set up a Just Giving page for Help For Heroes and will include the link with the video.
“All proceeds from digital sales of the single will also be donated to the charity. We are also appealing to people watching in different countries to also donate to their own local charities which support veterans.”
The release of The Hero – A West End and Friends Tribute coincides with the commemorations surrounding the 100th Anniversary of the End of World War One’.
• Dan and Laura have also organised a fundraising concert at 7pm in St Martin’s Church Caerphilly on Saturday November 10 which is hosted by Peter Karrie, the Welsh West End star best known for his role as Phantom of the Opera.