It’s a terrifying truth, that many actors won’t live in the perfumed comfort of a mansion in the Hollywood Hills – some may never even know the horror/delight of owning a mortgage anywhere – ever.

Not all actors will be made inconceivably wealthy – in fact – its a sporadic and occasional occupation often requiring them to be enslaved to selling wine to sitting duck-purchasers. It’s not as glamorous as it seems. Sometimes things happen that are beyond their control…

And for some actors, they wouldn’t be able to live without the kindness of strangers.

The website reads:

“The Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW Incorporated has been in existence since 1944. It is a non-profit charitable organization and is administered entirely by a Management Committee of volunteers from the entertainment industry. The Fund’s function is to provide assistance to professional performers, both young and old, who, due to injury, illness or disability are unable to work, either temporarily or in some cases for the rest of their lives.

A bond of confidentiality exists within the Fund. The identities of recipients are never disclosed, but many are, or have been, household names who have devoted their lives to the entertainment of others. The generosity of performers, as everyone knows, is legendary. Over the years, actors, singers, dancers, comedians and variety entertainers have willingly offered their services free of charge at telethons, charity concerts, and every conceivable form of fund raising event. The Actors Benevolent Fund redresses the balance. It’s a grand organization. It’s about performers helping performers.”

You can check out more on the site: http://www.actorsbenevolentfund.org.au

Wondering how you can help out/give back?

UP NEXT is a FUNDRAISING EVENT at the SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY

The GAB | Chapter 2: ‘Baptism by Fire: Stories of first times’

Sunday 27th November 2011 at 5:00pm
Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4/5 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

Following the knockout success of The GAB chapter 1: Actors, held at Belvoir street earlier this year – Chapter 2: Directors is going to be another sellout evening of story sharing from Australia’s finest with John Bell, Jeremy Sims, Wayne Blair, Sandra Bates, Stuart Maunder and Shannon Murphy just some of the names spinning a yarn at Wharf 1 in this second chapter of series of fundraising events being held by The Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW.

‘Baptism by Fire: Stories of first times’ is the theme for the night featuring some of Australia’s most well respected directors. Each of the eight Gabsters will be telling personal tales live and without notes. This new series of events known as ‘The Gab’, inspired by other successful story telling phenomena such as ‘The Moth’, is designed to raise awareness of the Fund and much needed aid for the many actors it supports.

The Actors Benevolent Fund has been helping NSW actors unable to work due to illness, disability and old age for over 60 years. It is a non-profit charitable organisation administered entirely by volunteers from the entertainment industry. Assistance is offered in many forms, both financial and practical, with beneficiaries receiving gifts, interest free loans or even ongoing monthly grants. All of this community support requires a great deal of generosity and events such as ‘The Gab’ to enable this fund to keep on giving.

Doors open at Wharf 1 from 4:15pm on November 27th.
Tickets are $20 concession and $25 general admission.
Presale via Sydney Theatre Co. Box Office: Ph: +612 9250 1777

Or at the door on the afternoon of performance.

For further information please contact thegabtalk@gmail.com