Birkenhead-based Wirral Ark provides supported accommodation to homeless people, many with complex needs, and addresses the issues that go hand in hand with homelessness

Merseyside homeless charity Wirral Ark is staging a production of The Seven Acts of Mercy at The Hope Street Theatre in Liverpool to raise funds for its vital work.

Birkenhead-based Wirral Ark provides supported accommodation to homeless people, many with complex needs, and addresses the issues that go hand in hand with homelessness, such as mental health issues and addictions.

The play, by Anders Lustgarten, premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2016 and the charity production at Hope Street’s newest theatre venue will be only the second time it’s been presented professionally.

It will be directed by, and star, Liverpool’s own Scot Williams in what will be his first appearance on a Liverpool stage in five years. Scot is an advocate of social justice and equality who believes the arts should be encouraged as a way to aid social mobility.

Talented graduating students from Liverpool Media Academy will join him, without fee, for two nights only, to help Wirral Ark continue to help the homeless in Merseyside.

The play is named after Caravaggio’s famous painting and his first after committing murder before fleeing to Naples. Its themes include the exploration of guilt, the atoning power of compassion, and Caravaggio’s aim of making art available to everyone.

Running parallel is a story set in modern day Bootle; socialist ex-docker Leon shares Caravaggio’s values and also believes that art should be accessible to all. 

Pauline Cox, fundraiser at Wirral Ark said “It’s an honour that Scot and the Liverpool Media Academy actors are appearing in this production for Wirral Ark.

“The play itself, looking at compassion in a world sometimes lacking, is very relevant to what we do here. The profits from tickets sales will really help us to keep providing that.”

The play will be staged on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 7 and 8. Tickets are available for £10 (plus booking fee) from www.hopestreettheatre.com and 100% of the profits will go to Wirral Ark.