Local talent takes centre stage at The Fire Station for Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust Variety Show

The Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust will bring its annual Variety Show to The Fire Station in Sunderland on Sunday 4 October, marking the first time the popular charity event has been staged at the venue.

The eighth show in the Trust’s history will feature a mix of dance, music, acrobatics and more, with performers ranging from local five-year-olds to seasoned professionals. They include Jazz Peters, a dancer and stunt performer whose credits span Aladdin, Cats and Beauty and the Beast, as well as performances alongside 50 Cent and Dua Lipa. The show’s compere, Davey Hopper, also has Disney credentials, having spent time performing as The Lion King’s Pumbaa on stage.

Young North East talent takes to The Fire Station stage

Also on the bill will be young performers who have received bursaries from the Trust, some of whom are taking to a stage of this scale for the first time, alongside some of the industry’s most experienced talent.

The Trust was set up in 2017 by the families of Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, who were killed in the Manchester Arena bombing on 22 May 2017. Next year will mark the tenth year that the charity has been in operation, pursuing its mission to inspire and support young people to reach their full potential through sport and the performing arts.

Each ticket purchased for the Variety Show directly supports that work, with every penny raised going to providing bursaries for young people to engage in performing arts, singing and music lessons, and sports.

“We set the charity up in 2017 after I lost my daughter Chloe, along with her boyfriend Liam, in the Manchester Arena attack. People were very supportive and wanted to give us funds, and we thought this would be a great lasting legacy for the kids.

“The show has got bigger and bigger every year; this is our first at The Fire Station, and I’m really excited. There’s truly something on offer for everyone, whether you like dance, music, or acrobatics. It’s a real feel-good show, so please come along and support us.”

Lisa Rutherford, Founding Trustee, Secretary and Board Member of the Trust and Chloe’s mother

A show supporting the next generation

“We’re honoured to welcome the Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust to The Fire Station for the first time. Giving local talent a stage to shine on is at the heart of what we do here, and it’s especially meaningful to be hosting a show where young performers from our own community will share the spotlight with fantastic talent.

“The Trust’s work, and the legacy of Chloe and Liam, embodies everything we believe about culture and community coming together to support the next generation. It promises to be a brilliant night of entertainment for a very worthwhile cause, and we’d encourage everyone to come along and get behind it.”

Rhys McKinnell, CEO of Culture Quarter

The show takes place in The Fire Station’s auditorium. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the performance beginning at 6pm and scheduled to finish at 8.50pm.

Tickets are £16 and under-14s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available from The Fire Station. To find out more about the Trust, donate, volunteer or apply for a bursary, visit Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust.