A SPECTACULAR musical evening marking the 70th anniversary of the Durham Light Infantry liberating Bergen-Belsen concentration camp has been given a major cash boost – but still needs the public’s support.

North-East based InterOpera’s plans to stage the Darkness to Light event in Durham Cathedral were dealt a major blow last month when a funding bid for £35,000 from the Arts Council was rejected.

Organisers vowed to press ahead with the show, launching an appeal for support from businesses and the public.

Now the Arts Council has said it will give £14,500.

However, InterOpera says it is still facing a funding shortfall and again appealed for help.

Project manager Jill Cole said without any Arts Council support, the show could have spelled InterOpera’s closure, or at least wiped out its reserves.

“Now that we know we have some project funding, our priority is to sell as many tickets as we possibly can,” she said.

“At very best we will break even on the show, although at this stage it still looks likely that we will face a shortfall – which is why we are still asking for donations to make it a success.”

The show will feature survivors’ stories read by celebrities such as Dame Esther Rantzen and History Boys actor Samuel Barnett and classical music including a new commission by Durham-born composer Will Todd.

The Jewish memorial prayer, El Malei Rachamim, will be chanted and there will be a procession by children and DLI veterans.

Ms Cole said: “We feel this is such an important venture – not only fulfilling the aims of InterOpera which strives to introduce as many people as possible to the beautiful, rich music of opera – but also to work with new partners and to work together to remember the terrible results of extremism and inhumanity.

“Now, more than ever, that seems to be so very important.”

To support the show, visit interopera.org

Anyone making a donation before March 31 will have their name included in the official concert programme.

Darkness to Light will be at Durham Cathedral on Saturday, April 18, at 8pm. Tickets are priced £8 to £22. To book, call 03000-266-600 or visit galadurham.co.uk

Audience members are invited to donate shoes for a show ‘mountain’, which will be donated to charity afterwards.