One of London's oldest theatres, at The Cut in Waterloo, a fixture of British theatrical life since 1818 and home to the National Theatre from 1963 to 1976 under Laurence Olivier.

Paul McCartney to perform at Old Vic Theatre fundraiser – 25 May 2010

May 25, 2026

Paul McCartney to perform at Old Vic Theatre fundraiser – 25 May 2010

Tuesday 25 May 2010 | Paul McCartney

It was announced on 25 May 2010 that Sir Paul McCartney would perform at a fundraising event for the Old Vic Theatre Trust on 1 July 2010. The event — dubbed the Old Vic 192 — was to take place at the Boiler House at Battersea Power Station in London, hosted by the Old Vic's artistic director Kevin Spacey and chief executive Sally Greene. Proceeds would support both the Old Vic Theatre Trust and McCartney's own Meat Free Monday campaign.

The Old Vic 192

The Old Vic 192 was conceived as the inaugural annual fundraiser for the Old Vic Theatre Trust, the charitable body that supports one of London's most historic and beloved theatres. The name referenced the Old Vic's address at The Cut, Waterloo — the theatre has occupied its current building since 1818 and is one of the oldest working theatres in London.

The event's format was a classic high-end charity evening: a champagne and canapé reception, followed by dinner and an art auction, with McCartney's performance as the centrepiece. Tickets were priced between £500 and £10,000 for a premium table with VIP reception — a pricing structure designed to maximise fundraising from a relatively small, affluent audience rather than fill a large venue.

Kevin Spacey announced the event in characteristically enthusiastic terms:

"I'm delighted to be able to announce The Old Vic 192, our inaugural annual fundraiser on 30th June 2010, in aid of The Old Vic Theatre Trust. We are thrilled Paul McCartney will lend his extraordinary talents on the evening alongside brilliant artists who've generously donated their artworks for auction. It's set to be quite a night!"

— Kevin Spacey, Artistic Director, The Old Vic

Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station is one of the most iconic industrial buildings in London — a Grade II* listed art deco structure on the south bank of the Thames, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and built in two phases between 1929 and 1955. Its four distinctive white chimneys have made it one of the most recognisable landmarks on the London skyline. The station ceased generating electricity in 1983 and spent decades as a derelict shell, the subject of numerous failed redevelopment schemes, before finally being converted into a mixed-use development of apartments, shops, and offices that opened in phases from 2022.

In 2010, the Boiler House — the vast turbine hall at the heart of the building — was being used as an event space during the long redevelopment process. It provided a dramatic and atmospheric setting for the Old Vic fundraiser: raw industrial architecture, enormous scale, and a location that felt genuinely special. The building also has a Beatles connection: the cover of Pink Floyd's Animals (1977) features a famous photograph of Battersea Power Station with an inflatable pig floating above it — and the station appears in the background of various London photographs from the 1960s and 1970s.

Meat Free Monday

Meat Free Monday is a campaign founded by Paul McCartney, his daughters Mary and Stella, and the late Linda McCartney's legacy, encouraging people to reduce their meat consumption by going meat-free one day a week. Launched in 2009, the campaign is rooted in the environmental argument that reducing meat consumption is one of the most effective individual actions a person can take to reduce their carbon footprint. McCartney has been a committed vegetarian since the 1970s, largely as a result of Linda's influence, and animal welfare and environmental causes have been central to his public life ever since.

The inclusion of Meat Free Monday as a beneficiary of the Old Vic 192 fundraiser was characteristic of McCartney's approach to charitable work — using his profile and performance to support causes he believes in, rather than simply lending his name.

Kevin Spacey and the Old Vic

Kevin Spacey served as artistic director of the Old Vic from 2004 to 2015 — an eleven-year tenure during which he significantly raised the theatre's international profile and produced a series of acclaimed productions, many of which he starred in himself. His appointment had been controversial at the time — an American film star with limited theatre directing experience taking charge of one of Britain's most venerable stages — but his commitment to the role proved genuine and his tenure was broadly successful artistically.

Sally Greene had been chief executive of the Old Vic since 1998 and was the driving force behind the theatre's financial stabilisation and the recruitment of Spacey. Together, they transformed the Old Vic from a financially precarious institution into one of London's most dynamic producing theatres.

The Old Vic

The Old Vic Theatre at The Cut, Waterloo, has been a fixture of London theatrical life since 1818. It has been home to some of the most celebrated productions in British theatre history, and its alumni include Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, Judi Dench, and Peter O'Toole. The National Theatre was based at the Old Vic from 1963 to 1976, under Olivier's direction, before moving to its current South Bank home. The theatre seats approximately 1,000 and remains one of London's most important producing venues.

Key Facts: 25 May 2010

Announcement date: 25 May 2010
Event: Old Vic 192 fundraiser
Event date: 1 July 2010
Venue: Boiler House, Battersea Power Station, London
Host: Kevin Spacey (artistic director) and Sally Greene (chief executive), Old Vic
Beneficiaries: Old Vic Theatre Trust; Meat Free Monday
Ticket prices: £500 to £10,000
Format: Champagne and canapé reception, dinner, art auction, McCartney performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Old Vic 192?

The inaugural annual fundraiser for the Old Vic Theatre Trust, held at the Boiler House at Battersea Power Station on 1 July 2010. Paul McCartney performed, with proceeds supporting the Old Vic Theatre Trust and Meat Free Monday.

What is Meat Free Monday?

A campaign founded by Paul McCartney and his daughters Mary and Stella, encouraging people to go meat-free one day a week to reduce their environmental impact. Launched in 2009, it reflects McCartney's long-standing commitment to vegetarianism and animal welfare.

What is Battersea Power Station?

A Grade II* listed art deco power station on the south bank of the Thames in London, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and built between 1929 and 1955. It ceased generating electricity in 1983 and was converted into a mixed-use development that opened from 2022.

Who was Kevin Spacey at the Old Vic?

Kevin Spacey served as artistic director of the Old Vic from 2004 to 2015, significantly raising the theatre's international profile during an eleven-year tenure.

What is the Old Vic?

One of London's oldest and most celebrated theatres, located at The Cut in Waterloo. It has been a fixture of British theatrical life since 1818 and was home to the National Theatre from 1963 to 1976 under Laurence Olivier.