The Night Out Before Christmas

My Theatre Academy are putting on a charity concert at The Birley Centre on Friday 18 December, titled The Night Out Before Christmas — or The MTA Christmas Vocal Show, as it's also billed. It's a night that puts the academy's current students on stage alongside a line-up of alumni who are now in their final undergraduate years at some of the UK's most prestigious drama schools and performing arts colleges. Those returning include Ben Young, in his final year at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; Lilly Baldock, finishing at Preparation to Perform; and Leticia Nare, in her final year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

That mix of current students and former pupils is the whole point of the evening. The alumni are coming back to Eastbourne specifically to perform in aid of St Wilfrid's Hospice, a cause the academy has supported for a long time. The set runs from contemporary and musical theatre songs to uplifting gospel arrangements and classic Christmas favourites, and it's open to audiences of all ages. Every penny of the profits goes to the hospice.

It also gives a glimpse of how the academy works. They take on young talent — often as early as eight years old — and guide them through training led entirely by experienced industry professionals. Seeing the current students share the stage with people who've gone on to the Royal Welsh, the Conservatoire and Preparation to Perform puts that in perspective: it's the same training, just at different stages of the journey.

The concert is at The Birley Centre at Eastbourne College, 4 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN2 14EF. Doors open at 6:30pm, with the show starting at 7:00pm and running for about an hour and a half. Tickets are £10, plus a £1 booking fee, making it £11 in total.