Categories Appearances Damian Lewis Events Helen Personal and Family Life Poetry Readings Video

A Poet for Every Day of the Year Live Broadcast

National Theatre Talks

by National Theatre | YouTube | March 3, 2022

Join us to journey through a calendar year in poetry, read by actors on stage at the National Theatre. Allie Esiri and Damian Lewis were joined by friends including Simon Russell Beale, Fay Ripley, Danny Sapani and Lesley Sharp. Chris Riddell live drew the evening. A Poet for Every Day of the Year is dedicated to Helen McCrory, who took part in some of these poetry evenings in previous years.

Signed copies of A Poet for Every Day of the Year are available from the National Theatre Bookshop here. Every purchase supports the work of the National Theatre. This event was performed on the Lyttelton stage, National Theatre, London on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

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Categories Appearances Damian Lewis Events Helen Personal and Family Life Poetry Readings

A Poet for Every Day of the Year Review

Ode to Helen McCrory Cuts to the Heart of the Matter

by Dominic Maxwell | The Times | January 26, 2022

How would Damian Lewis, making his first stage appearance since the death of his wife Helen McCrory last April, begin an occasion dedicated to her memory? With a no-nonsense nod to the mixture of happiness and sadness of being at an occasional poetry reading event that she had taken part in previously herself? With a poem in her honour, performed to a well-scrubbed crowd (including McCrory’s friend Helena Bonham Carter) who had turned out to see him and Sir Simon Russell Beale, Fay Ripley, Danny Sapani and Lesley Sharp reading from the latest anthology of 366 poems edited by the evening’s organiser and host, Allie Esiri.

In the end, no. Lewis found a way to address the elephant in the room that was both unexpected and oddly fitting to such a charming, varied and resonant evening. He told a story about John Dennis, the 18th-century critic and dramatist who, it turned out, had inadvertently invented the expression “steal my thunder”. “One person whose thunder absolutely would not be stolen was Helen McCrory,” Lewis added, in the building where his late wife had successes in Medea and The Deep Blue Sea. “You could try, but it wouldn’t work.”

That done, he started off the evening of 30 poems with Robert Burns’s Address to a Haggis, his Scottish vowels enabled, he said, by a “little tutorial” from his father-in-law the previous night “after a couple of gins”. Not everything that followed had such a memorable accent to propel it, but almost everything here was pithy and impassioned.

Russell Beale gave his all, yet kept his usual sense of ease, to WH Auden’s O Tell Me The Truth About Love. Sharp was as good imitating Dorothy Parker’s cynical drawl for One Perfect Rose as she was joined by Ripley for a twin delivery of Tennyson’s The Charge of The Light Brigade. Although there were a few more greatest hits of poetry like that, more recent and less-known pieces made as much of an impression. Sapani’s reading of Two Guns in the Sky for Daniel Harris made one want to hear more from its author, Raymond Antrobus.

There was a moving finale when footage of McCrory performing at the event, in 2017, was shown as the final poem. It was a tremendous reminder that poetry cuts to the heart of things as much as it dances round their edge.

Read the rest of the original article at The Times

Categories Appearances Damian Lewis Events Gallery Helen Personal and Family Life Poetry Readings

Damian Lewis Reads From ‘A Poet for Every Day of the Year’ In Honor of Helen McCrory

A Poetry Dedication to Commemorate Helen McCrory

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | January 25, 2022

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022 guests gathered for a live poetry reading dedicated to the late, great Helen McCrory.  Allie Esiri, author of her latest installment A Poet for Every Day of the Year, curated the night’s event at the Lyttelton venue of National Theatre in London. From 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. a variety of readers took to the stage to read verse from the new anthology, including Damian Lewis, Lesley Sharp, Fay Ripley, Simon Russell Beale and Danny Sapani with 900+ audience members in attendance, together with Damian and Helen’s children Manon and Gulliver and family friend Helena Bonham Carter.

Damian introduced the evening as he shared an anecdote about the origins of the expression ‘stealing somebody’s thunder,’ which apparently comes from the failed playwright John Dennis in 1709. Damian remarked that nobody could steal Helen’s thunder on stage:

“This evening is dedicated to her and it’s perfect, because Helen loved the National Theatre. One person whose thunder would absolutely not be stolen was Helen McCrory.”

Helen thought poetry mattered and supported Allie Esiri’s passionate determination to make it a part of our daily lives. Curator and Author Allie Esiri said,

“We dedicated the evening to Helen and Damian said a few words, but we just wanted to get on and do the show. It’s what she would have told us to do – OK, enough already, get on with the show!”

Continue reading Damian Lewis Reads From ‘A Poet for Every Day of the Year’ In Honor of Helen McCrory

Categories Appearances Damian Lewis Events Helen Personal and Family Life Poetry Readings

A Poet for Every Day of the Year at the National Theatre

A Poetry Reading Dedicated to Helen

by Staff | National Theatre | January 16, 2022

Damian, Allie and Helen at A Poem for Every Day of the Year at the National Theatre in November 2018. Allie organized the event and Helen was one of the readers.

Following the success of previous poetry reading evenings at the National Theatre, Allie Esiri is back on January 25, 2022 for a fifth year with a show based on her latest anthology; A Poet for Every Day of the Year. We will journey through a calendar year, highlighting key moments and dates with poetry from some of the world’s greatest verse writers, read by some of our leading actors. This event is dedicated to Helen McCrory, who took part in some of these poetry evenings in previous years. Allie Esiri and Damian Lewis will be joined onstage by friends including Simon Russell Beale, Fay Ripley and Lesley Sharp.

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Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

The Helen McCrory Studio Theatre

“Be yourself. Comparisons are odious. To thine own self be true.”

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | November 24, 2021

Photo: Debbi Clark – Sir HvH Arts Instagram

Damian Lewis, patron of Sir HvH Arts Foundation was in attendance for the official opening of The Helen McCrory Studio Theatre at Francis Holland School Regent’s Park (FHS). The grand opening of the Art, Drama and Music studios was held on Tuesday November 23, 2021 from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm. The drama studio theatre is in honor of the late Sir HvH Arts Foundation patron Helen McCrory, who made an invaluable contribution to Drama at FHS.

Guests were given guided group tours of the new facilities where FHS students showcased the high caliber of work they produce during their art, drama and music lessons. In The Helen McCrory Studio Theatre, students performed costume rehearsals for the upcoming performance of Jane Eyre at the Steiner Theatre. Helen devoted much time and passion to HvH Arts, with Francis Holland School Regent’s Park being one of the foundation’s main sponsors over the years.

For more information about the foundation, visit Sir HvH Arts website here.

Categories Appearances Audio Events Helen Personal and Family Life Poetry Readings

Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory’s Love Poetry Performance Rediscovered

Cheltenham Literature Festival Revisited

by Andrew Holgate | The Sunday Times | October 9, 2021

There have been some great Cheltenham Literature Festival moments over the years – Hilary Clinton in 2017, looking back on her presidential defeat the year before; a 92-year-old David Attenborough charming the audience in 2018. But surely one of the most electric hours in the festival’s history came in 2014, with the appearance on stage of the married couple Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory.

Here consists of a recording that was thought to have been lost, an electric performance at the 2014 Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival – one of the most memorable in the festival’s history – by Damian and Helen of love poems from the poetry collection The Love Book edited by Allie Esiri.

Earlier this summer, Damian rediscovered a recording of the event, which he offers here now to listeners as a tribute to his wife. To hear the recording in full, click here.

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Categories Charity Gallery Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy

Damian Lewis Supports BGC Charity Day 2021

On the Trading Floor for CureEB and HvH Arts Foundation

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 10, 2021

Damian makes trading look easy as he participates in the 17th annual BGC Charity Day 2021 on Friday, September 10, 2021 at Canary Wharf located at One Churchill Place in London, England for CureEB and the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation. He was among other celebrities, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, helping raise money for various charities ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The annual Charity Day supports BGC Partners and it’s affiliated companies Cantor Fitzgerald and GFI Group and all profits made on trades today will go to charities including Blood Cancer UK, Help for Heroes, The Pret Foundation and Wellbeing for Women. In addition to BGC’s offices in London, Charity Day 2021 took place across the firm’s international offices including, New York, London, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Sydney.

To view more photos of the event, please visit our Gallery here. We will add more photos as they come in throughout the day. Please check back! In addition, Damian was a guest on today’s edition of Ian King Live for Sky News. See  three videos of the segment below, plus two additional videos from HvH Arts:

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Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Summertime

Damian Lewis Attends Summer Exhibition Festival for Sir HvH Arts Foundation

Lockdown Exodus and A Brave New World

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | April 13, 2021

Ambassador and now Patron Damian Lewis joined the Sir HvH Arts Foundation Summer Exhibition Festival production in London on Monday, August 30, 2021 for the ‘Lockdown Exodus’ exhibition that celebrated young people’s work in art, music and photography, and a performance by ‘A Brave New World’ visual arts theatre dance production by talented young artists. Throughout the day the project hosted taster workshops with their artists in residence in fashion deconstruction, tie-dye, screen printing, oils, acrylics on canvas, and photography. About a hundred community families gathered to see the musical performances, as well as art and photography produced by youth who had taken part in free sessions funded by donations and Camden Council. Up to 60 youngsters a day had been taking part in projects over the summer.

Ambassadors Sadie Frost and Michael Palin were also in attendance, who mentored young people for a film they made during lockdown called Isolation Stories. Students were also directed by the charity’s artists in residence, Selina Giles and Lily Alice Clark, and actor Peter Youngblood-Hills offered mentoring sessions.

The event was also held to remember former patron Helen McCrory. Debbi Clark, CEO and Founder of Sir HvH Arts Foundation has set up the “McCrory Award” in her honor, which will be dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and young people who are gifted in their art, yet many do not have access to the resources or training to fulfill their potential. According to Hampstead Highgate Express, Debbi Clark stated Helen would always be a patron of the charity and was still with them “in spirit.”

View more photos in our Gallery here.
For more information about Sir HvH Arts Foundation and how you can donate, please visit their website here
Primary Source: Camden New Journal
Secondary Source: Hampstead Highgate Express

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Categories Charity Helen Narrator Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Tributes

Damian Lewis Narrates Helen McCrory’s Speech for Graduates

UCS Hampstead as Sir HvH Arts Foundation Patron

Source: UCS Hampstead | Twitter | June 30, 2021
Source: Sir HvH Arts | Instagram | June 30, 2021

On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, the University College School Hampstead’s graduation began proceedings by remembering Helen McCrory and her powerful message to pupils in 2018 with a narration of her speech by Damian today, speaking to the graduates remotely. UCS Hampstead supports Sir HvH Arts Foundation with their outreach, a foundation near and dear to Helen and now Damian is the Patron for Sir HvH Arts.  For more information about Helen’s UCS speech back in 2018, click here. In 2016, Damian and Helen attended an art exhibition showcasing UCS student’s artwork, chatting with them as well. Read more about that here.

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Categories Charity Helen Personal and Family Life Philanthropy Print Media

Damian Lewis: Patron of Ride4Hugo

Family Support: In Memory of Hugo Yaxley and Helen McCrory

by Staff | Ride4Hugo | June 15, 2021 *updated May 03, 2022

Ride4Hugo is in memory of Hugo Yaxley, Damian and Helen’s nephew, who tragically died in a car accident in November, 2020.

Hugo was a big advocate of facing up to mental health issues and changing the stigma attached to it. Ride4Hugo aims to raise funds and awareness for four great charities that were close to both his and Helen’s heart. His Aunt, Helen McCrory, passed away five months after Hugo’s accident.

Uncle Damian, as he was to Hugo, is Ride4Hugo’s patron. Best known for his performances on screen and stage, Damian has also contributed a huge amount of charity work. Most recently he and his late wife Helen McCrory helped raise over £1m for the FeedNHS campaign.

Damian recently reflected on Hugo, stating:

“The recurring theme talking to people about Hugo, is that, for one so young, he leaves an incredible legacy. He truly inspired people of his generation, through his own bravery, to be more confident and open about their mental health. This is an extraordinary thing to have achieved by the age of 20. He’s touched more people in his short life than most do in their longer ones. One great memory is of our family holiday in Mallorca when Hugo perfected and demonstrated (endlessly) the art of “bombing” in the swimming pool. Face down mostly. For ages afterwards, we called him Bomber Yaxley. He became many other fabulous things as he got older but that fearlessness never left him. And he used it to help others. Love you Hugo.”

Below is information about the upcoming bike ride campaigns, the bike routes, and the charities Ride4Hugo supports:

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Categories Charity Helen Philanthropy

Damian Backs Fundraiser Participant in Honor of Helen

Marie Curie Hospice: Running for Helen

by Sam Beamish | Cornwall Live | May 13, 2021

A close friend of the late Helen McCrory has told how the star supported her family through her daughter’s illness and death. Fiona Nash said the actor would do “anything for anyone” and was a “very kind and generous person”.

Fiona’s daughter Torie Benson died 10 years ago at age 30 due to cervical cancer. To mark the anniversary of her death and raise money for the charity that supported her, Fiona’s 18-year-old son Toby Benson ran from Land’s End to The Lizard and back on Tuesday (May 11).

So far he has raised £15,500 for Marie Curie and is being backed by McCory’s husband, actor Damian Lewis.

Fiona, who lives near Land’s End, said: “I knew Helen for a very long time. I spoke to her husband last week at the funeral and I said Toby wanted to run for Helen as well as Torie.”

She said he was very supportive of the fundraiser and made a donation.

She recalled that when Torie was at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, McCory, who died of cancer last month, aged 52, was very supportive of Fiona and the family. She explained: “She knew I spent six months there with Torie. After Torie died Helen did a lot of fundraising for Marie Curie. She was amazingly kind. She was a very kind and generous person. She would do anything for anyone and was a massive philanthropist.”

Read the rest of the original article at Cornwall Online

Categories Helen Personal and Family Life Print Media Tributes

How Helen McCrory Shone, Even in a Haze of Mystery – April 17, 2021

She was unforgettable onstage playing seemingly serene women who rippled with restlessness

by Ben Brantley | New York Times | April 17, 2021

Selfishly, my first feelings on hearing that the uncanny British actress Helen McCrory had died at 52 were of personal betrayal. We were supposed to have shared a long and fruitful future together, she and I. There’d be me on one side of the footlights and her on the other, as she unpacked the secrets of the human heart with a grace and ruthlessness shared by only a few theater performers in each generation.

I never met her, but I knew her — or rather I knew the women she embodied with an intimacy that sometimes seemed like a cruel violation of privacy. When London’s theaters reawakened from their pandemic lockdown, she was supposed to be waiting for me with yet another complete embodiment of a self-surprising life.

Ms. McCrory had become world famous for dark and exotic roles onscreen, as the fiercely patrician witch Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies and the terrifying criminal matriarch Polly Gray in the BBC series “Peaky Blinders.” But for me, she was, above all, a bright creature of the stage and in herself a reason to make a theater trip to London.

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