News

We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the wonderful Stephanie Cole.

Steph was a Director of The RTF for more than twenty years and made a lasting impact on the Fund’s beneficiaries, fellow Directors, and the wider RTF family.

We are delighted to announce that our annual Christmas Concert is returning to the Actors Church on Friday 4th December, 6pm.

Join us for an evening of traditional carols, readings, festive songs, and enjoy a mulled wine and a mince pie with us after the concert.

With special performances from The RTF and AT choir.

Further guests will be announced soon

Book tickets

The RTF and AT Choir had the privilege to perform to the residents of Denville Hall this week.

Denville Hall opened in 1926 as the ‘Haven for elderly actors & actresses’, Denville Hall has been providing care for actors and home to all members of the creative and entertainment industries ever since.

Led by our Choir Master Stefan Bednarcyzk

If you would like to join the choir, get in touch: admin@trtf.com

We rehearse fortnightly on a Wednesday at St Pauls Church, Covent Garden, 10:30am – 12:30pm

Episode 4 of Actor’s Never Retire with this weeks guest, Barbara Rhodes is out now!

Listen here: Actor’s Never Retire – Barbara Rhodes

Barbara Rhodes’ theatre credits include My Fair Lady (Adelphi Theatre) and No, No Nanette (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Her opera and ballet credits include Falstaff, Turandot, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker (all Royal Opera House); and for film, Pride and Prejudice, Hamlet and Carrington. Rhodes trained at the Royal Ballet School and was awarded the Solo Seal and Adeline Genee Bronze Medal.

Check out the new episode of Actor’s Never Retire with Tony Award Winner, Elizabeth Seal!

Listen here: Actor’s Never Retire – Elizabeth Seal

Elizabeth Seal’s theatre credits include The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees (London Coliseum), Salad Days (Duke of York’s Theatre and UK tour), Chicago (Cambridge Theatre and Sheffield Theatres), The Corn Is Green (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre), and Irma La Douce (Lyric Theatre, Gerald Scheonfeld Theatre, and Alvin Theatre – Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical). Her television credits include My Son, My Son, Supernatural, Z Cars, The Misfit, Softly Softly: Task Force, and Route 66; and for film, Headlock Security, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, Mack the Knife, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life.

EPISODE 2 – OUT NOW!

David Alder is a familiar face and voice in the theatre community – and a valued member of the Royal Theatrical Fund choir.

In this episode, he takes us through a career that has spanned stage roles, tours and all kinds of projects, from his early breaks and the realities of life on the road, to the friendships, near-misses and funny mishaps that come with a working actor’s life.

He also talks openly about the role the RTF has played in supporting him and connecting people across the industry. Warm, candid and full of behind-the-scenes moments audiences never usually get to hear.

Listen here: Actor’s Never Retire – David Alder

The first episode of our new Podcast, Actor’s Never Retires is OUT NOW!

Myra Sands has appeared in some of the most beloved West End musicals of the last few decades – Cats, Evita, Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and in this episode she tells the stories behind that remarkable career.

From the car crash that nearly ended things before they began, to finding her way back through teaching, to juggling babies with eight-show weeks, Myra’s story is funny, warm and genuinely inspiring. Expect cabaret, lost musicals, long bike rides, and a lot of laughter… it’s very Myra.

Listen here: Actors Never Retire – Myra Sands

Announcing our first Podcast, Actors Never Retire!

A new podcast series celebrating the lives, careers and behind-the-scenes stories of those working across stage and screen.

Hosted by actress Molly Hanson, the six-episode series will feature candid conversations with performers whose careers have spanned decades on stage and screen. The guests are David Alder, Colette Kelly, Hayward Morse, Barbara Rhodes, Myra Sands, and Elizabeth Seal, alongside a special introduction from RTF Chairwoman Samantha Bond and RTF President Robert Lindsay, and original music by Stefan Bednarczyk.

From backstage disasters and career-defining moments, to reflections on longevity in the industry, each episode offers an honest and entertaining insight into the realities – and enduring joys – of a life in the entertainment industry.

The first episode will be released on Friday 12 June with the remaining five episodes released every Friday thereafter

Check out the trailer here: Actors Never Retire

Job Title:          Welfare Grant Officer/Office Manager

Reports to:       Chief Executive Officer

Location:          Hybrid/Covent Garden

Contract:          Permanent 4 days per week £40- 45k pro rata

Closing date: Friday 24th April, 5pm. 

We are a Grant making Charity that helps individuals and dependants who are not able to work due to illness, injury and or infirmity. We help people across the industry, although, any applicant needs to have worked within the entertainment industry for at least seven years. In addition to our main fund we also offer emergency crisis grants and benefits advice and support. The Fund plays a leading role in Acting for Others, a charity made up of a network of theatrical charities aimed at fundraising to provide support to people in the profession who are experiencing difficulties.

We are a charity that also owns and manages a multi-tenant building in London, providing space to other charities, and businesses. As landlords, we’re responsible for the day-to-day running of the building, coordinating maintenance and looking after our service maintained offices on the 2nd floor.

The Royal Theatrical Fund is a Charity incorporated with a Royal Charter. The charity was established by Charles Dickens in 1839, a new Royal Charter with a wider remit was granted in 1974.

Duties and Key responsibilities:

• The role will be to co-ordinate the grant-making operations, working closely with the Grant Manager/Welfare Advisor in processing all Grants and collating all  relevant information for presentation at the Fund’s monthly Board meeting.
• Dealing with general enquiries for support and assisting people to apply, offering a friendly supportive ear to people who call.
• Entering Information on the database.
• Assisting in the management of the building, monitoring and ensuring all health & safety policies are followed, including managing cleaning and maintenance companies.
• Assisting with the events including Acting for Others fundraising activities.

The anticipated split between the areas of work 70% grant applications, 20% office management, and 10% fund raising activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Essential-

• Clear and confident  written and verbal communication skills
• Numeracy skills to be able to assess income and expenditure and handle budgets
• Strong time management and organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Understanding of data protection legislation and the principles of confidentiality
• Experience of using CRM databases
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
• Experience of working in a grant making charity
• Understanding of the difficulties faced by people on a low income

Desirable-

• Experience of using Beacon CRM/Salesforce
• Experience of working in the entertainment industry.

Other Requirements-

• Satisfactory DBS check
• Willingness to work on occasions outside of normal office hours

Benefits:

25 days holiday plus bank holidays per annum (pro rata)

Normal Hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm

Benenden Health Care Insurance

Pension: Peoples Pension Company contribution 5%

To apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter to admin@trtf.com • Use the subject line: “Welfare Grant Officer/Office Manager” • Attach your documents in PDF format • Ensure your cover letter explains why you are suitable for the role Application Deadline: 24 April 2026

We had the great privilege of working with Rob and Lockdown Theatre on several star-studded live table reads during the pandemic. The Real Inspector Hound, Private Lives and A Bit of Waiting for Godot raised more than £110k for The Royal Theatrical Fund and in 2020 ‘For One Knight Only’ A live-streamed Q&A featuring British acting legends Dame Judi Dench, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Ian McKellen, and the late Dame Maggie Smith, hosted by Sir Kenneth Branagh raised over £300,000 for Acting for Others, a record-breaking achievement for the charity. We are eternally grateful for Robs kindness, and the invaluable role he played in creating this theatrical magic. His support has had a huge impact on thousands of beneficiaries of the charities. He will be greatly missed.