Latest News | 14 September 2021
Dancers call on Bondholders to back Christmas Show
Darley Dance Productions has launched a campaign urging Bondholders to back its plans to take its annual Christmas Show online again.
Last Christmas, due to the pandemic, the professional dance and entertainment company successfully look its annual festive show online, receiving rave reviews and higher than expected viewing figures.
The success of that show enabled the company to pay their freelance performers and survive into 2021.
However, with no financial support for the business in the form of grants and the and the uncertainty surrounding live events this winter, once again, The Christmas Show is struggling.
The choice has been made to cancel the live show and take it back online.
Georgia Harris, musical director of The Christmas Show, said: “It’s not just the financial struggles and the insecurity of trying to do a live event but it’s also that we want to be completely accessible to our audiences.
“Some people are still feeling worried about going into crowded places and don’t feel comfortable watching live shows. By doing the show online, we make it available to everyone.”
Due to a shortage of freelance work this year caused by the pandemic, Darley Dance Productions has turned to the business community for financial support to put on the show.
This year, it is looking for the ‘12 Sponsors of Christmas’ to join them for some festive fun.
Abbi Burns, owner of Darley Dance and director of The Christmas Show, said: “This is a sponsorship package like no other. We genuinely would not be able to do our show without the support of the businesses who choose to join us as one of our 12 sponsors and because of this, we’re working hard to show our audiences how grateful we are.
“It’s easy to think that businesses in the performing arts will all get Arts Council funding, but the reality is that for many, this is not the case.
“Without the 12 sponsors, our show wouldn’t happen, and we want to thank them in a unique way.”
Not only will the 12 Sponsors of Christmas get many standard things expected in a sponsorship package but Darley Dance Productions is also going to include the businesses in a specially written Christmas song, which will be performed in the show, feature them on social media takeover days and generally have some fun introducing audiences to the people behind the brands that saved The Christmas Show.
So far, six sponsors have pledged their support, including Cosy Direct, Essential Print Services, Nielsen McAllister and Colleague Box.
Peter Ellse, development director at Cosy Direct, said: “I thought The Christmas Show was one of the standout aesthetic events and features of last Christmas. A real cross-Derbyshire delight to the senses. Our entire family loved it.”
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like more information click here or e-mail Abbi at info@darleydance.co.uk.
