Stage Door Entertainment, armed with a cast of Island based actors, will be bringing the musical phenomenon ELEGIES FOR ANGELS PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS to Ballakermeen Studio Theatre this November.

This award-winning show, with music by Janet Hood and lyrics and book by Bill Russell, features songs and monologues inspired by the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, an enormous art instillation which celebrated the lives of those who died of AIDS related causes in the epidemic of the 1980’s.  A cast of talented local actors and singers bring this touching, funny and hugely poignant piece of theatre to life.

Director Lisa Kreisky explains “With recent critically acclaimed series such as ‘It’s a Sin’ starring Years and Years singer Ollie Alexander and of course our very own recent experiences with a terrifying and unknown virus, it is as important now as it was then to tell these characters stories.  All of whom are based on real people.”

“As much as these stories are ultimately about those who have contracted the AIDS virus, they are also stories of hope, friendship, and love, as well as loss.  We are hugely proud to have such a wide array of talented individuals, who are relishing the challenge of creating these individual stories, which are not always easy to tell.”

The diverse cast of over 35 members include Drag superstar Vida La Fierce, the seventh and current Manx Bard Owen Atkinson, ‘Grease’ heart throb Kaysee Craine and stage sensation Mike Bonner, among a mind-boggling plethora of other talented performers.

“We have enlisted performers from all over the island and from lots of different performance backgrounds, as we wanted to make this piece accessible to everyone and courage a different, varied audience to come and watch.  This show really does have something for everyone. It’s gritty and poignant but also hugely uplifting and laugh out loud funny in parts.” Says producer Kristene Sutcliffe.

This is the first time anything of this ilk has been presented on the Isle of Man and Elegies for Angels Punks and Raging Queens promises to have the audience laughing, crying, clapping their hands and tapping their toes. Each audience member will be invited to join these people’s stories and thrive on the twists and turns of this extraordinary piece of theatrical history.

ELEGIES FOR ANGELS PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS will run from 24th to 26th November at Ballakermeen Studio Theatre.  Tickets are on sale from The Studio Theatre Box Office on 648700 or online at www.thestudiotheatre.im