Ambika Mod, Daisy Ridley and Morfydd Clark are among the names taking part in a special one-off table read of “Pride and Prejudice” in London to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
The event is being arranged by the Cinema for Gaza group, which last year helped raise more than £250,000 ($316,00) for the charity through an auction of items and personal experiences from names such as Josh O’Connor, Tilda Swinton and Jonathan Glazer.
The table-read will be hosted by Nish Kumer and is set to take place on Oct. 12 at the Troxy in East London. Alongside Mod, Ridley and Clark, others involved include Jameela Jamil, Susan Wokoma, Mawaan Rizwan, Priya Kansara, Amar Chadha-Patel, Jeff Mirza, Shazia Mirza and Asim Chaudhry. More names are set to be announced for what is described as a “fun and imaginative tribute to Austen’s enduring tale,” being directed by “We Are Lady Parts” creator Nida Manzoor.|
“It is the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth as we lift the curtain on a single man with a large fortune in want of a wife,” reads the description. “Roll up to witness the unsuspecting Mr. Bingley going toe-to-toe with the Bennett family, as Mr Darcy puts his foot in his mouth every time he encounters the vexing, intriguing Elizabeth Bennett. Enjoy withering wit, some top-notch repressed flirting, and hard-won happy endings.”
According to Cinema for Gaza, “every penny raised on the night will go directly to Medical Aid for Palestine’s lifesaving work, including their polyclinic in Gaza, which is continuing to operate despite Israel’s bombardment, siege, and forced displacement orders.” It asserted that the clinic has been supporting hundreds of patients a day, providing vital healthcare such as psychosocial support, physiotherapy, and medication for chronic conditions.