Actor Peter Land’s Christchurch fundraiser for earthquake victims

Published: 11 March, 2011
by SARAH SMYTH

NEW ZEALAND actor Peter Land is to dedicate the first performance of his one-man show Now or Never as a fundraiser for the victims of the devastating Christchurch earthquake.  

Billed as a cabaret evening of explosive words and music, telling the story of Land’s life as an actor with RSC and the National Theatre, the performance of Now or Never will place at Islington’s King’s Head Theatre on March 20.

Land, who moved to England in 1977 to pursue a career in musical theatre, was rehearsing in New Zealand when the earthquake struck last month. 

“When we heard about the earthquake, we were doing an impromptu run-through of the play, and asked our audience for donations. 

“We received an astonishing amount of money, which is what made me think to make the first performance in England for the victims.”

Land stressed the need   for funds in his native New Zealand’s second-largest city after the 6.3-magnitude quake.

“The rest of the world moves on to other causes.  But this is an absolute crisis and the city is crying out for help.  

“Christchurch will need a massive amount of rebuilding to even come close to the infrastructure that it had.”

The current death toll from the earthquake is 161, and comes in the aftermath of a 7.1-magnitude earthquake last September.

“Because of this series of disasters, the funds for help are dangerously low,” says Land.

“We’re hoping to make as big a contribution as possible with our fundraiser, and encourage people to come to the show and give what they can to this worthy cause.”

Now or Never is directed by his wife, the award-winning choreographer, Gillian Lynne. For tickets, call 020 7478 0160.