Light the Night celebrates 10 years with final benefit concert

Light the Night will celebrate 10 years with one final benefit concert at the City Rectial Hall Angel Place on Monday October 27.

Light the Night is inspired by Matthew Rennie, a brave man who fought a three year battle against leukaemia. Sadly, Matthew passed away shortly before the 2007 concert but has been well remembered. The concert was created by Matthew’s two brothers, musical theatre performers Shaun and Adam Rennie, with friends Monica Smith and Greg Smith.

A “must-attend” on the Sydney theatre calendar for a decade, the annual benefit has been dedicated to raising money and awareness for leukaemia research. To date, over $400,000 has been donated to the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation.

Back to host this final concert is international musical therapist and hilarious YouTube sensation Jan van de Stool (who is very good friends with Queenie van de Zandt).

Performers at the celebration of the benefit’s enormous success include Lucy Durack (Wicked) and Trevor Ashley (Les Miserables), as well as Emma Pask (The Voice). Past hosts, such as Rob Mills (Grease) and Brendan Moar (Dry Spell Gardening), are also set to make an appearance.

Shaun Rennie is thrilled to be celebrating 10 successful years. “It is with great pride, much excitement and a little sadness that we announce that this years LTN will be our 10th and final event,” he said.

“My brother Matthew was an amazing young man who has continued to inspire others to help in the fight against this disease for the past 10 years. Having raised over $400,000 for leukemia research is an incredible legacy. It seems right that this years LTN will be held on the anniversary of Matt’s passing, and we invite everyone who has been a part of the LTN family over the past 10 years to come and celebrate with us. It’s gong to be one hell of a show!”

All monies raised from this year’s concert will fund the LIGHT THE NIGHT Research Grant that supports a promising new Gene Control in Acute Leukaemia project being undertaken by St Vincent’s Hospital’s Haematology Research Team.

For tickets and more information for this very special Light the Night, visit www.lightthenight.com.au.