Moray man James D. Reid heads plan to employ more than 70 people in arts sector during lockdown
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A MORAY man has formulated a plan to ensure employment for more than 70 people in the arts sector during lockdown.
Composer and producer James D. Reid, who lives in Elgin, is heading up a team that is looking to create a symphonic version of the musical The Little Prince.
To do so, they need the help of the public to raise £200,000 – enough money to pay 70 musicians and performing artists. A total of £7115 has been raised so far with a deadline of December 4.
Many famous names have offered to work on the album for a fraction of their usual fees – including Elgin actor Kevin McKidd, Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Richard E.Grant, Tracie Bennett, Amara Okereke, Seirra Boggess and Lorna Want.
Mr Reid explained that the idea has come due to the coronavirus-enforced lockdown.
He said: "Theatres have been in lockdown since March, along with concert halls and public performance spaces.
"Margins in theatres are tight because there is only a finite audience with the average theatre holding about 700 people.
"With the way the chancellor structured the help package there was no help for the industry. Any performer, actor or musician had next to no income and that is what we are trying to change.
"By creating an album we are hoping to create work for 70 people. We thought let's make the album, get some big names in to help advertise it and make it stand out.
"We wanted to pay everyone their usual wage. If we wanted to make the album cheap then we could do it in an ex-eastern bloc country for about £12,000 – but we are doing this for our people and it's about making jobs."
The album, which costs £15, is an hour and 55 minutes long.
The money is being raised on Indiegogo – and if the £200,000 isn't raised by December 4 then those who donated will get their money back.
A teaser with Kevin McKidd is being dropped on the website this weekend. You can visit the site HERE to see the teaser and to pre-order your copy.
You can follow the group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AandEMusicLtd, on Twitter @AEProductions5 and on Instagram at aandemusicltd.
