David Walliams, Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, D&E Coaches and Birmingham Stage Company team up to give pupils and staff of fire-hit Park Primary School a free trip to see the stage adaptation of Billionaire Boy; Ross-shire pupils 'really enjoyed it' and 'it was just what they needed' after the blaze in Invergordon, said teachers
PUPILS at Park Primary were given the chance to forget this week's fire trauma when top comedian David Walliams, Eden Court theatre and D&E Coaches gave them a free trip to see the stage adaptation of Billionaire Boy.
The David Walliams-penned story is currently touring the country and has been enjoying a short run at Eden Court in Inverness.
The theatre, which has worked with the school for several years to help them cast, rehearse and perform the primary's annual summer show, was moved by their plight following Monday's devastating blaze.
And, determined to help the youngsters and their teachers "at this difficult time", they teamed up with the makers of Billionaire Boy and the owners of D&E Coaches to treat them to a free trip to see the show.
James Mackenzie-Blackman, Eden Court's chief executive, said: “I’m so delighted we have been able to welcome the entire school community to Eden Court.
"I’d like to thank my colleagues, the producers Birmingham Stage Company but most importantly David Walliams for his support and generosity in making this opportunity possible for this Highland school devastated by fire.”
David Walliams was delighted to help out, adding: “I’m so pleased to be able to help Invergordon's Park Primary following the awful events at their school last week.
"I really hope they enjoyed the production and thank Eden Court and the Birmingham Stage Company so much for making the show available to all the pupils and teachers.”
Park Primary teacher Ellen Mcphee said the offer had really made the children's day.
“The boys and girls really enjoyed it, there was lots of laughter," she said. "I think it was just what they needed and it was nice that we all got to have a nice wee day out together after everything that’s happened. It was so lovely of the guys to take us back stage as well to get their photos. Exciting!”
D&E Coaches' managing director, Donald Mathieson, said the firm was happy to help with transport.
"We were really saddened by the devastating fire and wanted to do something," he said.
The gestures won plenty of plaudits online, with Inverness councillor Duncan Macpherson, saying: "Well done to James Mackenzie-Blackman and the staff at Eden Court Theatre Inverness.
"What a wonderful gesture and treat for the Park Primary school pupils from Invergordon, after a traumatic week."
Members of the public were also full of praise for the "lovely" and "wonderful" gesture by the theatre and D&E Coaches.
The gestures continued the recent flood of support from the community in the wake of the fire
- Billionaire Boy ends its Inverness run today (Saturday).
- Click here to read more news from the Ross-shire Journal.
