London: Celebrities to share Lunchtime Life Stories at Actors' Church

Christians in Entertainment and Theatre Chaplaincy UK have announced a joint venture to present a series of Lunchtime Life Stories featuring a range of celebrities with a Christian faith.

Described as a series of entertaining and inspiring interviews with well-known personalities from TV, Stage and Film, the 40 minute chat shows will be launching on Thursday 17 September with BBCTV Songs of Praise Presenter Pam Rhodes, followed by husband and wife pop legend Paul Jones and West-End actress Fiona Hendley in October and veteran Dads Army film and TV actor Frank Williams in November.

"We are thrilled that these events are taking place in St. Pauls Church, Covent Garden," explained Rev Lyndsay Meader, Senior Chaplain to West End Theatres. "It's the Actors Church and right in the heart of Theatreland, so it's very appropriate. Rev Simon Grigg has been very supportive of these events and as it's an incredibly busy venue we are so grateful to have the use of the church for these very special lunchtime occasions."

The events which start at 12.40 are free and open to all, but one aim is to interest local performers from the surrounding theatres as Chris Gidney founding Director of Christians in Entertainment explains, "Both CIE and TCUK have been supporting those working backstage in West-End theatres for very many years. It can seem a very glamorous place to be but the reality is that it can be a very lonely one too, and sometimes spiritually isolating." Chris who is also a commercial theatre Producer says, "We are encouraging those who are working in the local theatres to join us for a unique 40 minutes of fun and friendship as I interview our special guests about their careers in the spotlight and what inspires them personally. We hope our Lunchtime Life Stories will be an encouraging and uplifting break for everyone - and you can even bring a packed lunch!"

Further details on Lunchtime Life Stories can be found at: www.cieweb.org.uk ; www.theatrechaplaincyuk.com ; www.actorschurch.org

Dates for your diary:

12.40-1.20pm @THE ACTORS CHURCH - St Paul`s Covent Garden, London


Thursday September 10th Pam Rhodes

Pam is well known as the familiar face of BBC Television's prime time Songs of Praise for more than twenty years. In that time she's met everyone ranging from The Pope to Dolly Parton. She has her own daily interview series on Lifestyle Television, Radio 2, Premier Radio, London Weekend, Thames and BFBS Television and compered TV recordings in venues such as The Golden Hall in Vienna, the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall in London. Pam has also established herself as a mainstream author in recent years, with five novels and nine factual books.

Thursday October 8th - Paul Jones

Paul Jones and Fiona Hendley Jones met in 1982 playing opposite each other at the Royal National Theatre and married in 1984. Paul, well-known as first lead singer of 60's group Manfred Mann, earned gold discs for Do Wah Diddy and Pretty Flamingo, as well as for the original album of Evita. His current group, the Blues Band, is celebrating its 36th year. He has starred on film, TV and in theatre on Broadway and in the West End. Millions listen to his show on Radio 2. Fiona is an accomplished actress and singer, and worked in all areas of the business, from her acclaimed television series Widows to leading roles in the West End, National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Thursday November 19th - Frank Williams

Frank Williams is one of the best-known faces in the most popular classic comedy television series of all time, even after twenty years, the BBC`s Dad's Army continues to regularly pull in millions of viewers and was recently voted one of the most popular TV programmes of all time. David Croft and Jimmy Perry, chose Frank to create the role of the wonderfully eccentric vicar but Frank has spent a lifetime in the world of entertainment and appeared in many other highly successful TV series and over 30 films as his autobiography Vicar to Dad's Army reveals. Having just filmed his role in the new Dad`s Army feature film, Frank is far from retiring!

Chris Gidney has spent a lifetime as entertainer, producer and author, and will be interviewing the Lunchtime star guests, hearing all about their careers in the showbiz spotlight and what inspires them personally. He is the founder and Director of backstage charity CIE.

Rev Lindsay Meader is Senior Chaplain with TCUK and has been chaplain to the Apollo Theatre for three years.

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