The producers and cast of “Dreaming of a Barry White Christmas” are staging a special Boxing Night performance of the hit comedy for people in need of some joy in their lives.
Over 500 invited and nominated guests will be entertained by the all-star Liverpool cast of the adult festive show on the evening of Friday 26 December and local charities are invited to nominate deserving people for free places.
Dreaming of a Barry White Christmas first stormed EchoTwo @ Liverpool’s Echo Arena for five nights last Christmas. This year, it returns by popular demand for an extended run in the intimate surroundings of the Echo Arena’s sister venue, The Auditorium. The show will run from Monday 15 December to Saturday 3 January 2015.
Liverpool playwright Dave Kirby said the benevolence evening is something he has always dreamed about doing:
“When at the Royal Court, me and Nicky Allt always insisted on a complimentary table each week which was used for people in need of some light or joy. We called it ‘The Healing Table’. We invited guests such as Gee Walker, Andrew Jones’ parents, the Shields family, Hillsborough families etc. To bring joy to those people was cathartic. I used to imagine filling a theatre with such deserving people but I never had the authority. As I’m producing this show I can now make that dream happen and I can’t think of a better time to do it than the Christmas period of ‘peace and good will’.
“As well as those in need we’d also like to extend the invite to charity workers and volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year and do such a tremendous job. There are so many who go above and beyond and put others before themselves. We want this night to bring joy and laughter to all and we’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone on Boxing Night for some festive laughs”
Special guests already include many Hillsborough families plus individuals suffering from a past or recent hardship.
Local charities are invited to nominate individuals explaining in no more than 50 words why their nominee is deserving of a special festive treat along with the number of tickets required to barrywhitexmas@billelms.com.
The closing date is 28 November, and those who are successful will be notified by email during the week commencing 1 December.
Please note the show is suitable for people aged 16 and over.
Dreaming of a Barry White Christmas is the first Christmas show from renowned Liverpool playwright Dave Kirby, whose hilarious hit shows include Lost Soul, Council Depot Blues, Reds and Blues and Brick up the Mersey Tunnels.
The show will continue with its much-loved 2013 cast which starred Liverpool’s most prestigious home grown talent – Andrew Schofield (Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, Lost Soul, Reds and Blues, Blood Brothers), who recently starred in the ITV1 drama Cilla.
Alan Stocks (Reds and Blues, Scouse Pacific, Little Scouse on the Prairie) and Paul Duckworth (Reds and Blues, Scouse Pacific, Slappers and Slapheads) both regular names at the new Everyman Theatre since its reopening, Lenny Wood (Lost Soul, Night Collar, Nightmare on Lime Street) and the hilarious Gillian Hardie and Keddy Sutton (Scottie Road the Musical), who have just been voted amongst the top ten best shows at Edinburgh Festival 2014.
Dreaming of a Barry White Christmas is a “Scouse Scrooge” adult comedy. Original 1970s hits include Barry White’s Love’s Theme, Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love Babe, and It May Be Winter Outside.
Thomas (Andrew Schofield) owns a small, dilapidated warehouse in Liverpool. He despises everything – happiness, modern music, spending money – but most of all he hates Christmas. When his four drunken employees find out they’re about to be sacked they set out to discover a way to ensure their survival and soon uncover a few 1970s skeletons in Thomas’ dusty closet.
What is Thomas’ secret? What is he hiding? Why does he hate Christmas so much? Perhaps the legendary Walrus of Love himself, Barry White, holds the key.
Get yourself down to the wonderful and intimate Auditorium at the Echo Arena this Christmas and make this show your first, your last, your everything!