Member Article

Genie in the Gutter invites local businesses to support city's most vulnerable

Charity and social enterprise Genie in the Gutter is turning its hand to theatre production and is inviting local businesses to support the show and provide a helping hand to some of the city’s most vulnerable.

Genie in the Gutter supports people with a number of issues including homelessness and mental health to recover from addiction, reclaim their lives and reach their full potential. The creativity and performance arts it uses as a basis for its work is underpinned by a robust recovery ethos, including one-to-one sessions, group sessions and structured recovery meetings.

On 7th September, Genie and the Gutter will be taking over the Philharmonic Hall to present ‘One Man’s Story’, which tells the life story of Mr. ‘Bongo’ Eddie Folk. For 30 years, Bongo acted as both percussionist and front man for the acclaimed American musical band ‘Kid Creole and the Coconuts’, the band behind many well-known chart-topping hits in the 80s and 90s.

Hailing from Brooklyn, Bongo lived in Liverpool for over a decade before sadly passing away in 2016. One Man’s Story is a vibrant musical theatre production that tells the twists and turns of Bongo’s life through rhythm, dance, music, film and prose.

The charity is offering businesses of all sizes corporate packages for the show, which combine tickets, advertising space, workplace wellbeing events and ‘sponsored seats’, which will provide the opportunity of a lifetime to a vulnerable person who would otherwise not get the chance to experience a night at the theatre.

Carolyn Edwards, co-founder of Genie in the Gutter and producer of the show, said:

“This is a fantastic chance for you to take your team out for an entertaining night out and sponsor a seat for a disadvantaged member of our community. For the regular theatre-goes among us, we know too well the excitement and joy that can be experienced from a night at our local theatre. Unfortunately for many, this experience is not as accessible as it should be. With our ‘Sponsor a Seat’ initiative, we are asking those who love the theatre to share their passion and fund a vulnerable person’s ticket.”

“Social inclusion is a theme that runs through the entire production and Genie in the Gutter and clients have been involved in the making of One Man’s Story in every possible way, from script development right up until the performance on the night. These packages are on offer for businesses who would like to arrange a fun team night out while making a real difference to the community.”

One Man’s Story is a collaborative production between ‘ConYoBongo’ and Genie in the Gutter, which Bongo was a proud Patron of. This production is part of Genie’s longer-term strategy to become more sustainable and less reliant on grant funding. The show is co-produced and will be co-performed by clients from Genie in the Gutter, as well as many professional performers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jeanette Gill .