Emma Dears and Craig Price to Headline A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS for Save Our St. Bride's

One of Liverpool's most historic churches will take centre stage when the West End comes to the Georgian Quarter for a night of musical theatre magic.

Organisers hope A Night At The Musicals on Friday 23 June at 8pm will raise much-needed funds to help keep St Bride's Church open.

The event is the first in a series of fund-raisers planned by the new Save Our St Bride's (#SOSBride's) campaign.

It will see West End stars Emma Dears and Craig Price join forces to perform memorable numbers from some of the best-loved stage musicals, including Les Miserables, Sunset Boulevard, and Liverpool's own Blood Brothers, in which Craig recently played the Narrator in the West End.

The performers first met when they appeared together in Jesus Christ Superstar, which spent five weeks at the Liverpool Empire, and they will sing key songs from the hit Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber show at St Bride's.

Emma and Craig will also be joined at the one-off, must-see concert by some special guests.

The Georgian landmark church costs around £15,000 a year in running costs, but is also in urgent need of repairs, and is on the English Heritage 'at risk' register. Church leaders have recently launched a Reimagining St Bride's initiative to completely refurbish the 188-year-old place of worship.

June's A Night at the Musicals will be followed by a fund-raising Choir Festival, taking place at the church on Saturday 22 July, and which will feature singers performing both inside the Grade II* listed classical building and on its steps, as well as a communal warm-up and a big finish involving all the choirs taking part.

Liverpool-based singer Emma Dears, who launched the Save Our St Bride's campaign, said: "The church does a lot for the surrounding area. It is a foodbank for numerous local charities, and there is a lot going on. Historically, it has been a small arts venue, and it's such a great space for that, particularly with its acoustics. It's a very special place and that's why we feel so passionately about supporting it in any way we can."

#SOStBrides is supported by: Bill Elms Associates Ltd and Onsong Productions.

IF YOU GO:

A Night At The Musicals

Friday 23 June at 8pm

St Bride's Church

Percy Street

Liverpool

L8 7LT

All seats £13.50 (Concessions £10.50). Tickets are on sale via TicketQuarter: Book online at www.ticketquarter.co.uk | By Phone on 0844 8000 410 or in person at TicketQuarter Box Office at the Echo Arena, Kings Dock.

For more information visit, visit stbridesliverpool.org.uk.

St Bride's Church is located on the corner of Percy Street, Huskisson Street and Catharine Street in the heart of the Georgian Canning quarter of Liverpool. The Grade II* listed building, designed in the classical style by Samuel Rowland, was built between 1829 and 1831. It merged with St Saviour's Huskisson Street when that church closed in 1974, but it is known locally simply as St Bride's. Over the years it has needed frequent and costly repair and it is currently on the English Heritage 'At Risk' register. In September last year, the church began a pilot partnership with the Anglican Chaplaincy to the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University based in nearby St Margaret of Antioch parish, which involves working together to develop ministry and outreach to students and other young people.

Liverpool born Emma Dears began her career at the age of nine playing the title role in the musical Annie touring the UK. She was the youngest to have played the role. Whilst in Liverpool she trained at Elliot Clarke and Elizabeth Hill School of Dance. At 16 she left Liverpool to go to Itallia Conti Academy in London. However she was to leave the course early as she was cast in the tour of Les Miserables Dublin and Edinburgh.

Immediately after this she played Maisie In Her Benny at the Liverpool Empire. Emma then enjoyed an 18-month spell in Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Drury lane, understudying then going on to play the role of "Ellen". She then went straight into Oliver at the London Palladium, understudying Ruthie Henshall in the part of Nancy. It was at this point that Emma appeared in the musical Nine at the Donmar Warehouse, directed by David Leveaux, and then played Rizzo in Grease with Shane Ritchie and Ian Kelsey. Emma has also toured playing opposite Shane in the musical Boogie Nights and also touring Sweden and Norway playing the lead role of Carmen in Fame. She also developed the role of Emma in Inkul and Yarriko in Washington DC.

Her most recent theatre work includes playing Mary Magdelene in Jesus Christ Superstar and Eva in Our Benny. As well as starring in numerous pantomimes, Emma produced her own one woman show which she took to New York. She has also appeared in many concerts including Les Miserables 10th Anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall and playing Liza Minnelli at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club, as well as Liza in Judy and Liza alongside LuCy Williamson, in Liverpool and on tour.

Altrincham-based tenor Craig Price is a versatile singer who can adapt to a number of genres. His stage credits include playing the Narrator in Blood Brothers in the West End and on tour. He understudied and played Jesus and Judas Iscariot on a UK tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, and also understudied and played Jesus of Nazareth on a separate UK and European tour. He played Jean Prouvaire and understudied and played Enjolras in Les Miserables for Cameron Mackinstosh in the West End, and appeared in the original UK tour, again for Cameron Mackintosh, of Martin GuerrE. Craig's other appearances include alternate Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on tour, Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre, the Genie in Aladdin at Hinckley Concordia Theatre, and lead male vocalist in Follies, Cockney Showtime, The Jungle Book and The Muppet Show - Dick Ray International. Jersey. He is a regular performer with the singing waiters company Encore Singers and has performed in concert and cabaret across the UK and Europe, including solo performances at Café de Paris, LauderDale House, Too Too Much, Jermyn Street theatre and Tatty Bogles in London. And his recordings include the Martin Guerre original UK tour cast album, and Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert at the O2 and DVD.

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