“Life is a Cabaret” they say and that certainly was the case at RADA’s Dramatic Dining Cabaret last week.

Nearly 100 of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art’s alumni and supporters enjoyed a sumptuous supper from Tonic, with intervals of theatrical delights from the students themselves, wowing with musical moments such as “If they could see me now” and “I’m not getting married today” taking place on and off the stage in the centre of a packed house in the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre.

The black tie event opened with a reception supported by RADA’s Champagne partner, Taittinger before dinner was served in the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre.  Guests were then treated to performances throughout their meal from current students and graduates of RADA. It was a very glamorous affair indeed with the guests dining on English asparagus, followed by succulent slow-cooked lamb and a grand finale of Earl Grey panna cotta with truffle sugar lumps and shortbread crumbs.

The event was held to raise funds in support of RADA’s Training Excellence Fund which sustains and enhances the quality of teaching at the academy and supports the talented students regardless of their ability to pay fees or London living costs. For the 5th year in a row, Tonic offered a silent auction prize of Dramatic Dining at Home, with a four course meal for eight. This alone raised £3,300.

When it came time for the curtain-call the event had raised nearly £25,000 toward RADA’s Training Excellence Fund.

Stars and royalty made a noise at Abbey Road Studios at the end of May to give a voice to children confined to orphanages and to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of The Beatles ‘Sgt Pepper’ album.

Attendees at the End the Silence charity fundraiser in aid of Hope and Homes for Children included HRH Princess Eugenie, Sarah Duchess of York, Geri Horner, Mike Tindall, Jodie Kidd, Natalie Pinkham, Sarah-Jane Mee, Gethin Jones and Giles Martin.

More than £600,000 was generously donated on the night thanks to a menu which was curated by Michelin star chef Tom Sellers and executed by Tonic’s great team of Chefs. Menus simply noted Tomato, Carrot or Lamb, and Lemon, which created great intrigue amongst guests at their tables. The mysterious menu featured:

Starter

Heirloom tomato and vanilla consomme salad with lobster

Main

Lamb, wild garlic, sour milk puree & puffed grains, truffle potato puree

Served with green beans and carrot + parsley gratin with a rosemary and parmesan crumb

Veggie & Vegan Main

Carrot cannelloni with sorrel and liquorice

Dessert

Gin, lime and tonic tart. Served with chocolate soil, milk crisp and micro lemon balm

The evening also included live performances by Ronan Keating and Ellie Goulding, as well as DJ sets from Trevor Nelson and Huey Morgan, plus a spectacular money can’t buy auction. Lots included seven nights at Necker Island hosted by Richard Branson, a luxury weekend in Spain with Sting, and an opportunity to play alongside Olympic Gold medallist golfer Justin Rose at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth.

“The Beatles recorded ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ at Abbey Road Studios for the ‘Sgt Pepper’ album, so it’s a fitting venue for stars to unite to help end the silence about the harmful conditions faced by children in orphanages” said Natalie, who is a patron of the charity Hope and Homes for Children.

An estimated 8 million children live in orphanages worldwide. The harm caused by orphanages is needless, as 80 per cent of children locked away inside them are not actually orphans- most have living parents who can care for them, given the right support. End the Silence aims to condemn orphanages to the history books, by supporting children into loving families, preventing family breakdown and building normal, noisy childhoods for the world’s most vulnerable kids. Tonic were honoured to be part of such a great event for a brilliant cause.

Check out #endthesilence and #tonicfood