West End singers and dancers are coming together in a show to help their former dance teacher fund a treatment that could prolong her life.
Diane Cuttell will be remembered by many as their “very much loved” tap teacher at the Wenn Stage School, Seven Kings Road, Seven Kings, run by her sister Dawn Wenn.
The 53-year-old, who taught singer Jessie J until she was 15-years-old, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain tumour in April, leaving her with a prognosis of just over a year to live.
The mother of three, who has trained generations of dancers that have gone on to have successful careers in the West End and elsewhere, already recovered from three operations and is undergoing chemotherapy.
After spending weeks researching alternative treatments, her husband Adam found something that could prolong his wife’s life but is not available in the NHS.
This new treatment would cost the family £25,000 a year and they are appealing for help to give Diane a chance to live longer.
Her daughter Christina, 29, also a dancer and singer working on a cruise, said her mother remained “really positive and fighting it”.
“The idea of this new treatment has given us a bit of hope,” she said.
To help raise money, Christina is organising a concert with performances from her mother’s former students now in shows like Dirty dancing, Jersey Boys, Wicked and Les Miserables.
The Wenn Stage dance school and the Kerry Jane dance academy in Brentwood will also take part in the performance at the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford.
“These are all talented people that are ready to give their time.
“If you ask any of her former students they will tell you how inspiring she was and it reflects in so many of them, who have gone on to do amazing things,” she said.
Spectators to the concert are invited to dress with glitter and glamour, “which is exactly what she is like,” explained Christina.
The theatre also holds a special place in the family’s heart as they have all once performed in the Oakfield Road venue.
Christina said: “It is one of the friendliest and most professional theatres to be in whether performing or seated in the audience.”
The concert will be held on July 17 from 7.30pm and tickets can be booked at kmtheatre.co.uk, also visit justgiving.com/donatefordiane.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here