Royal Variety Management

The Royal Variety Charity is honoured to have His Majesty The King as its Patron.

For over a century, the unwavering support of the Royal Family has been the bedrock of the Royal Variety Charity and our annual fundraiser the Royal Variety Performance.

Entertainers not only lift the mood of the nation, but influence its very heart and what is so often overlooked is how the majority of those working in the profession are driven solely by passion, with little thought for their future, or long term security. This is something keenly understood by generations of the Royal family and for which we are eternally grateful.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, shared patronage of the charity with HM The Queen Mother until her passing in 2002 and historically the Royal Variety Charity enjoyed dual patronage from the King and Queen (King George V with Queen Mary and King George VI with Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother).

In 2024, King Charles III became Patron of the Royal Variety Charity, continuing the long and historic tradition and demonstrating the Royal Family's continued love and support for the entertainment industry.

For a list of our previous Patrons and details of the Royal Variety's links with Royal Patronage since 1921, please click here.

For up to date news and information on the British Monarchy, please visit the official website at: http://www.royal.gov.uk/

Welcome to the Royal Variety Charity & Royal Variety Performance official site.

The Royal Variety Charity’s help is UK-wide, with the charity working to support and assist 1,000's every year. Applicants must have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, but thereafter the charity's help is wide-reaching for UK citizens; both young and retired - all those who have worked on the stage, in the wings, in front of a camera, or behind it, as well as all those who've spent their lives working in the numerous support industries dedicated to entertainment.

The Royal Variety Charity offers help and support in three key areas: 

♦    Mental Health Support - help to those working in the entertainment industry who are experiencing difficulties with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or addiction. Find out more: Click here

♦    Residential & Nursing Care - Brinsworth House. Often called the ‘Old Pros Paradise’, Brinsworth House, is a happy and thriving home home for entertainment professionals in their twilight years, where showbiz stories get recounted night after night around a piano, or a bar! Our recently refurbished 5-star home is open to applicants from all areas of the entertainment business and if you, or a relative or friend, would like to enquire about a place, please get in touch with our Admissions Officer to arrange a tour. Click here

♦    Financial Assistance - financial support and assistance by way of a grant, to those who are experiencing financial hardship, or to those experiencing difficulties as a result of illness or accidents. If you are in need of financial help and assistance, please apply for a grant online here: APPLY HERE

The Royal Variety Charity has constantly evolved but has always existed as the entertainment industry 'looking after its own' and this would never have been possible without the unwavering support of continuing generations of the Royal Family, whose love and support for the entertainment industry is demonstrated year after year, by their attendance of the Royal Variety Show, and by patronage of the charity by the reigning Monarch.

The Royal Variety Performance was first staged in London in 1912 to an audience of just 1,300 but last year was broadcast in 63 countries and viewed by a combined television audience of over 153 million - making it the longest running and most successful show in the world.

Lastly, thank you to you, for your interest and support of the Royal Variety Charity. Please donate or buy a ticket if you are able and please get involved in our many fundraising ventures whenever you can. Thank you!

Giles Cooper, OBE (Chairman & Life-President)

CLICK FOR BIOGRAPHY OF GILES COOPER

Phil Dale is the UK's most well-known agent of British soap stars, famously representing most of the lead actors in EastEnders and Coronation Street, such as Shane Richie, Adam Woodyatt and Jessie Wallace.

Thank you for your support and interest in the Royal Variety Charity and our annual fundraiser the Royal Variety Performance.

As the elected Treasurer, it is my duty and obligation to consider where we stand financially and to report the situation to our Executive Commitee and the relevant authorities honestly and transparently.

The work of Chairman Giles Cooper really has revolutionised this charity and his efforts have transformed our financial stability, governance and operations. I salute his leadership and am proud of the hard work of all of us who have assisted him in modernising this wonderful charity.

The Royal Variety Charity’s award-winning residential home, Brinsworth House, continues to provide the highest standard of care for many former showbusiness professionals. On behalf of our residents and all our other beneficiaries, as well as all the officers of the Charity, may I offer our grateful thanks for your continued support. Given the challenges continuing to confront the charity sector, we face a constant struggle to raise sufficient funds to maintain the levels of care and guardianship for which we are renowned and we thank you respectfully and profoundly.

Please help us to maintain our invaluable work by donating whatever you can, no matter how small, through our website. We will, in return, promise to work diligently and conscientiously to guarantee a happy and comforting future for those who have brought us so much joy and laughter for so many years.