a musical fund-raiser for one of the poorest primary schools in Addis Abbaba.

Organised by Steve Wickham.

Mangiare Theatre Company is happy to contribute a series of devised, clown-based interludes for a very special fund-raising event hosted by the Sligo-based musician Steve Wickham. Entitled Lord and Lady Bates and Their Son Master Bates, this performance is a series of absurd intreludes about a dysfunctional clown trio. Directed by Alexander Kipp.

Steve Wickham is hosting a series of charity events in regional theatres to raise awareness and money in support of a local school project in Ethiopia. Pulling in such international names from the music world as Mike Scott and Richard Naiff from The Waterboys, Liam O Maonlaoi of the Hothouse Flowers, and Declan O Rourke - among many other special guests - Steve will present concerts in Carrick-on-Shannon's Dock Theatre, the Abbey Centre in Ballyshannon, and the Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo. All of the proceeds for these events will go to support a specific project Steve has set up with the Yekatite 23 Primary School in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia.

This unique project had its genesis in March 2006 when Steve was asked to play some charity concerts in Addis Abbaba for the Annual Irish Embassy Charity Ball and the Aid Agencies Concern, Goal and others. Along with three fellow musicians, Brian Sweeney, Connie Murray, and James Wickham all from the West of Ireland, Steve headed out to Ethiopia, and what was to be a life changing experience.

Initially shocked by the abject poverty the group witnessed on the drive in to their accomodation from Addis airport the Irish musicians soon fell in love with the colorful atmosphere of the country and positive, optimistic attitude the people had in the face of what, to western eyes, were dire living conditions. Taking this positive spirit as inspiration, the group played everywhere: on tops of mountains, in grass huts, schools, hotels and even in the treetops! The concerts proved a success and helped raise awareness of the general economic and social conditions endured my many in Ethiopia.

However, in between gigs Concern took the musicians to visit some of their ongoing aid projects; including several schools where they were working in conjunction with 'Chadet' an Ethiopian children's charity specialising in education projects and schools. One of these schools was Yekatite 23 Primary school: a school for the poorest of the poor.

For Steve, the trip to Yekatite 23 was a transformative experience, bringing into a sharp and personal perspective the abstract concepts of poverty and inequality. Though an enormous institution with over 900 students Yekatite 23 Primary school was woefully under resourced and in his tour of the school Steve could not help comparing it to his son's school in Sligo, which had only just received a 'makeover' of several new classrooms and a games hall. By contrast Yekatite 23 had severely rundown classrooms and no proper games area - basically just a school yard strewn with rubble and a set of broken goal posts. Nevertheless the musicians were all touched once again by the spirit of hope and optimism that the students at Yekatite 23 showed in spite of their conditions, and so they decided to continue working specifically with the Yekatite school to help improve facilities there.

Though much of the aid work in Ethiopia rightly goes towards life and death situations involving hunger relief and healthcare, the musicians set out to be a bit different and try to make a small but tangible change in the children's daily lives through improving their school playing environment. To this end Steve has organised three benefit concerts to raise funds to improve the playground at the Yekatite 23 Primary School.

The first of these concerts was successfully held in 'The Dock' Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim on Wednesday 26th July 2006 and featured Steve Wickham, James Wickham, Connie Murray, Brian Sweeney (the Ethiopian crew), Cathy Jordan and friends.

All proceeds from these concerts go to support the new playground project at the Yekatite 23 Primary School. Supporting these concerts is a great way to see some of the finest musicians working in Ireland and also make a real and tangible impact on the lives of children in Addis Abbaba.

For more information on these performances contact The Abbey Centre, Ballyshannon 0719650828; the Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo 0719650828 or visit www.stevewickham.ie