A woman who lives with bipolar disorder is raising money for a range of local charities by giving singers, composers, magicians, and comedians the chance to display their talents in a variety showcase.

Stephanie Spiteri, of Station Approach, Epsom, is putting on a showcase of performers, some with other forms of mental illness, at the Epsom Playhouse in Ashley Avenue, Epsom on Friday, May 27.

Your Local Guardian:

Miss Spiteri (pictured above), 31, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a disorder characterised by fluctuations between manic and depressive episodes, at the age of 17.

Author Virginia Woolf, actors Jean-Claude van Damme, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Carrie Fisher, and musician Sinead O’Connor all also live with the disorder.

Miss Spiteri believes the stimulation of performing or witnessing music, singing and dancing can be beneficial to people with a mental illness.

She said: “With bipolar disorder most people can't tell the depression side.

“I wear my make-up, put my brave face on and carry on.

“A broken leg you can see and understand. A mental illness isn't always visible.”

She put on her first show at the Epsom Playhouse in Ashley Avenue last year under the banner Able Unique Plus.

Your Local Guardian:

The Big Act Theatre School from Epsom rehearsing ahead of the Ultimate Variety Show

The show brought together more than 100 volunteers and she raised £2,300 for seven local charities: The Hub Epsom, Epsom Medical Equipment Fund, Carers of Epsom, SeeAbility, Derby Medical Centre, Citizens Advice Epsom and the Children's Trust.

Miss Spiteri said: “The show enabled (the performers) to overcome and express themselves through performance.

“There was no discriminating about who can be in the show as the whole ethos is stopping discrimination against mental illness.

“I am providing the chance to perform, entertain and educate alongside the audience having a fantastic experience and being enlightened in our community, and trying to stop the ignorance and taboo of mental health.”

Able Unique Plus presents the Ultimate Variety Show at 7.30pm on Friday, May 27 at the Epsom Playhouse.

Jazz singer Jenny Green will sing hits from the James Bond films, and the Surrey Show Choir will perform songs from Les Miserables at the show.

Proceeds will be going towards Love Me Love My Mind, Epsom Foodbank, SeeAbility, Age Concern Epsom and Down’s syndrome charity PSDS.

For more information, and for tickets, visit www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk