Edinburgh Music Theatre (EMT) has joined forces with Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading charity providing care and support to people living with and affected by HIV and Hepatitis C, for its April 2011 production of the musical, Rent.
Written by Jonathan Larson, Rent revolves around a group of young artists and musicians struggling to live in New York’s Lower East side under the shadow and controversy of HIV/AIDS in the late 1980s. It is a challenging and thought-provoking musical, with a rock score boasting the well known hit Seasons of Love. More recently, the stunning duet, Take Me or Leave Me, received the Glee treatment when it was sung by two of its stars Lea Michele and Amber Riley – a sure sign that the music of Rent is up there with the best!
Whilst the treatment of HIV/AIDS has advanced since the period in which Rent takes place, arguably, the main challenge facing charities such as Waverley care is now helping those dealing with the stigma surrounding the condition. Partnering Waverley Care, has given those involved in the production an insight into the Charity’s work and also into the modern day effects of living with the condition in a time where a recent study has shown that awareness of the ways in which the condition can be transmitted is on the decline.
David Johnson, Director of Waverley Care said: “We have been delighted to work with EMT in the run-up to their production of Rent, helping them to better understand the issues which face those living with HIV today. An HIV diagnosis still has a profound impact on self-esteem and much of our work centres around supporting people to rebuild that sense of self-worth which can be shattered by the need for secrecy. We are grateful to EMT for not only supporting us financially but also helping break down barriers of stigma and discrimination.”
Kenneth Pinkerton, Director of EMT and also a solicitor specialising in charity law with city firm, Turcan Connell said: “As a charity, we strongly believe that we have a role to play in providing other charities a stage on which they can stand to promote, educate and inform. Rent provided us with the perfect opportunity to do so and we are delighted that Waverley Care agreed to be our chosen charity for 2011, particularly where the subject matter is so relevant”.
Rent
Tue 5 – Sat 9 April, 7.30pm (matinee on Sat 9 April at 2.30pm)
Tickets: £8-£12 (all profits raised from the Thursday 7 April performance to Waverley Care)
Churchill Theatre | 33A Morningside Rd, Edinburgh, EH10 4DR
EMT will donate all profits raised from the Thursday 7 April performance of Rent to Waverley Care. Tickets can be purchased from the Usher Hall box office, Lothian Road (booking fee applies), online at www.usherhall.co.uk (booking fee applies) or directly from EMT, details of which can be found at www.edinburghtheatre.co.uk
Tickets are priced £8-£12 with group discounts available on request.
About EMT
Edinburgh Musical Theatre Company Limited, founded in 1982, is a registered charity (SC008131)
For further information, please contact: Nicole Irvine: [email protected] or www.edinburghtheatre.co.uk
About Waverley Care
Waverley Care provides care and support to people affected by HIV and Hepatitis C. Whether someone is living with HIV or Hepatitis C or are the partner or family member of someone affected by these conditions, we have services that can support them and provide up to date, accurate information and resources. www.waverleycare.org
- Log in to post comments