Helen and Hugh's act to save Wilton's

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The Love Actually star broke off his commitments in the US to attend a party to show his support for Wilton's music hall in the East End.

The building, which is now a crumbling shell, needs £4.3 million of work or it could be unusable within three years.

Dame Helen was also joined by actors Jim Broadbent, Zoe Wanamaker, Tim McInnerny and Jane Asher along with hotelier Rocco Forte and the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.

Organiser Christopher Kemp said: "The party was a fantastic success. Rachael Stirling, Diana Rigg's daughter, gave a speech saying that the building is in danger. It was a very buzzy atmosphere and Hugh Grant came back from America for it.

"Everyone left with a handout about Wilton's. It will have raised a lot of money but we need more." Stirling, who played a music hall performer in the series Tipping The Velvet, has starred in two productions at Wilton's in the last year - The Taming Of The Shrew and Uncle Vanya. Around 300 people attended the party and were entertained by pianist Babs Moore, who taught Dudley Moore to play the piano.

The night ended with a traditional sing-song around the piano. Some funding for the venue has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund but there is a shortfall.

Wilton's, which opened in Aldgate in 1858, hosted performances by the music hall stars of the day. In 2004 the Wilton's Music Hall Trust opened the building to the public, offering performances and guided tours.

Frances Mayhew, the music hall's director, said: "This is a great time for Wilton's. It's a functioning business in a semi-derelict building, but it is viable and has a real resonance for Londoners.

"People love it as it is but, structurally, it's on its last legs and we need £3.5 million."

A main supporter of the campaign is Candida Lycett Green, daughter of Sir John Betjeman.

Tower Hamlets councillor Denise Jones, a member of the Save Wilton's Committee, said: "It's a beautiful, hidden building which is of great importance architecturally and historically."