The boss of corporate services provider SMP Partners has explained why the company is backing the arts in the island.

Mark Denton, managing director said: ‘The Isle of Man is thriving in talent and we thoroughly enjoy offering our support to local production companies as they bring theatre to life.

‘The arts community is inclusive of everyone and helps young people in particular to build confidence and develop a wide range of skills, which can be applied to all areas of life – something the SMP Group really values.’

The company is backing Stage Door Entertainment which will bring 1970s Liverpool to the stage this week with ‘Our Day Out’.

Mr Denton said: ‘We’re pleased to offer our support to Stage Door Entertainment and hope the cast enjoy the performances.

‘It can be quite intimidating to take to the Gaiety Theatre stage for the first time, particularly with such a large audience watching, however I’m sure they will do a fantastic job and wish all cast and crew members the best of luck.’

SMP Partners says it is a supporter of initiatives which help young people to grow and develop. It has sponsored many productions in the Isle of Man promoting this, including shows by Gena’s Dance Academy, Move It Dance and The Academy of Dance, and productions such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Phantom of the Opera.

The business is also keen to aid sports development for young people and has sponsored Isle of Man Sport Aid Academy, a programme focused on helping talented young sportspeople to reach their potential, since its inception in 2015.

‘Our Day Out’, the sad, humorous and true-to-life production by Willy Russell, the award-winning writer of classics such as ‘Educating Rita’, ‘Shirley Valentine’ and ‘Blood Brothers’, will run from Thursday (June 13) to Saturday at The Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.

The cast of predominantly young performers, and only a small number of adults, will tell the story of Mrs Kay’s ‘Progress Class’, who are unleashed for a day trip to Conway Castle in Wales.

Celebrating both the joys and agonies of growing up and being free from school, the production highlights the depressing present and empty future for the class of comprehensive no-hopers from the backstreets of Liverpool, for whom a day out is as much as they can expect.

The show is produced and directed by Lisa Kreisky and Kristene Sutcliffe of Stage Door Entertainment.

Lisa said: ‘Our Day Out is a hilarious and heart-warming production that will have the audience laughing and crying in equal measures, it’s one the whole family can enjoy.

‘Final preparations are now underway for opening night and the nervous energy and excitement is certainly building.

‘It’s been an absolute pleasure to work alongside our young cast members as we’ve slowly brought this show to life. I’ve watched them grow and develop in so many ways over the past few months and their professionalism, talent and determination to succeed astounds me on a daily basis.

‘We are so grateful to SMP Partners for its support of ‘Our Day Out’. On behalf of Stage Door Entertainment, I’d like to say a great big thank you!’

‘Our Day Out’ runs at the Gaiety Theatre from Thursday to Saturday.

Tickets, priced from £12, are available online from www.villagaiety.com or by calling the Villa Gaiety Box Office on 600555.