On Friday, September 7, local charity Genie and the Gutter will take over the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to stage One Man’s Story about the life of world-renowned musician ‘Bongo’ Eddie Folk

Liverpool businesses are being asked to support a musical theatre production celebrating the life of world-renowned musician ‘Bongo’ Eddie Folk that will raise money to help the city’s most vulnerable people.

On Friday, September 7, local charity Genie and the Gutter will take over the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to stage One Man’s Story about the life of Eddie who grew up in New York and performed with artists such as Al Green, James Brown, and Kid Creole and the Coconuts, before finding his home, and love, in Liverpool.

Kid Creole and the Coconuts will perform in the show which explores his against-the-odds success story, from his upbringing in Brooklyn in 1950s America, his rise to the top of the charts as a world-class percussionist and vocalist, and the years he spent living in Liverpool.

It also tells the true love story of his relationship with Genie In The Gutter director and One Man’s Story producer, Carolyn Edwards, and the grief and creative awakening she has experienced through her connection with Eddie since he died in 2016.

Genie in the Gutter supports people with issues including homelessness and mental health and helps them 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.

The charity is offering businesses of all sizes corporate packages for One Man’s Story, 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 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.”

To find out more about the corporate packages on offer, contact the team by emailing enquiries@genieinthegutter.co.uk or by calling 0151 703 9053.