Bereaved Mum and Dad to perform on West End stage alongside stars in memory of their son

A mum and dad from Cumbria whose seven-month-old son sadly died after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumour are preparing to return to the stage and perform on the West End in his memory.

An Evening with Phil Dunster & Friends at Victoria Palace Theatre in London will feature an exclusive line-up of performers from the worlds of drama, music and comedy on Sunday 24 November.

Amy and Matt Hall had a love for performance and backstage production before their baby son Rory’s medulloblastoma cancer diagnosis in 2019 left them heartbroken and unable to listen to music when he passed away.

Phil Dunster will pay tribute to Rory during the evening and shine a light on the journeys children and young people living with cancer face every day.

Amy said: “There are no words to describe how it feels when your child is diagnosed with something as life-changing as a brain tumour. Everything you thought you knew about your world is turned upside down.

“Before Rory was born, we both worked in theatre. When Rory died, it shook our professional lives as well as blowing apart our personal ones. And so we left theatre behind for a while.

“Music had always been a big part of both of our lives too. But music takes on a significant role in grieving and sometimes that role can be dangerous – there were too many artists that made us cry, or we’d played at Rory’s funeral, or to him as a newborn, or in PICU.

“So our 2020 after he’d died was pretty silent; music was too painful. We’d played our little Rory stuff on the piano, but to sit at the piano once he had gone felt wrong.”

Matt said: “It took a long time for us to feel like we could make music again without it breaking our hearts. It took friends and family to help us dig up the courage to literally face the music. It’s been the same across our grieving. Friends and family nudging us along with little motivations and big, beautiful hearts.”

One of those family members, and Matt’s cousin, Ted Lasso actor Phil Dunster, became a Young Lives vs Cancer ambassador after seeing the support given to his family.

The Emmy-award nominated star is hosting a one-off West-End show in memory of Rory and to raise vital funds for children and young people with cancer. An Evening with Phil Dunster & Friends at Victoria Palace Theatre in London will feature comedian Aisling Bea, Olivier award-nominated Zizi Strallen, Ravi’s Dream Team choir and singer-songwriters Alex Vargas and BEKA are also set to perform.

And amongst the stars, Amy will be singing at the show, accompanied by Matt on the piano.

Amy said: “And then came Phil’s invite for us to perform… When he initially asked, Matt and I agreed together that we’d say no. It was too big, too scary. But then we thought “our gorgeous little boy was diagnosed with cancer and then he died, and that was big and utterly terrifying. So what were we thinking? Of course we could face this music, if it was for Rory. We really hope we do him proud.”

The evening will help raise vital funds for Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK’s leading charity for children and young people with cancer.

Matt said: “Young Lives vs Cancer has been present since the very beginning of Rory’s diagnosis and continues to help us find our way through the process as parents after his death. Their financial grants to cover lost earnings, emotional support and guidance made Rory’s diagnosis, hospital journey and death a far less lonely and terrifying experience.

“Rory was so smiley, giggly and cuddly and would rock our little world. He will forever be our hero and our daily inspiration to live life full of purpose and love. We will do so much good in his brave, beautiful spirit.”

Young Lives vs Cancer is the only charity in the UK with specialist social workers dedicated to providing tailored emotional and practical care and support to children and young people with cancer, and their families.

Phil said: “Within 48 hours of Rory’s diagnosis, Matt and Amy had a Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker by their side offering logistical, financial, and emotional support. They were there by their side, all the way through what was the most awful time.

“We would love to see as many people come to the show to support the cause as possible.”

Tickets for An Evening with Phil Dunster & Friends are priced from £23.25. For more information and to secure tickets visit: https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/an-evening-with-phil-dunster-and-friends

For more information about Young Lives vs Cancer, visit www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk