CIE was formed in 1982 whilst Chris Gidney was working on the hit
West-End show `Evita`.
"The
show started with a funeral and finished with a funeral, and was quite a depressing show
to work on", explains Chris. "I really wanted my faith to make a
difference on the show, and prayed that I would discover another Christian in the cast.
This would have been a miracle in those days, as there were hardly any Christians in the
Theatre scene then.
The next day I walked into the dressing room of the leading man, and saw a book by Billy Graham lying on his table. He had recently joined the show and was also praying for some fellowship. We started to meet each week in his dressing room, and very soon people from all over the West-End Theatre joined us. Christians in Entertainment was born."
Becoming the Director of CIE five years later, Chris continued his professional work alongside. "I wanted to keep my understanding and experience of the business fresh."
CIE`s Director & founder, Chris Gidney has spent a lifetime in the media and entertainment industry and retains an active involvement as an entertainer, producer and author.
CIE is a mobile ministry and specialises in:
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Backstage Bible Studies |
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Regular visits to Theatre and TV Studios |
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Pastoral Care, Teaching & Advice for established performers |
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Strategic one to one evangelism |
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Linking performers with each other |
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Backstage Bible Placements |
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Performers Prayer/Support-line |
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Advising churches |
For performers searching for a spiritual dimension to their lives, CIE offers in a sensitive and non-threatening way, the opportunity to discover the reality of faith for themselves. For many artistes CIE has become a hidden `lifeline` as it continues to support
those in the often lonely and difficult task of working in the entertainment business.
"Let us not give up meeting as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one-another, and all the more as you see the day of the Lord approaching." Hebrews 10v25
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Chris Gidney - Personal Biography
Chris
Gidney comes from a show business family and at age nine formed a comedy magic
double-act with his father. Since then he has spent a lifetime in the profession
as entertainer, producer and author, working with numerous artistes from the
legendary Frank Sinatra to Sir Cliff Richard. Joining London’s West-End in 1980
he enjoyed twelve consecutive productions before moving to BBC Television,
working on such classic programmes as `Blue Peter` and `That’s Life`
with Esther Rantzen.
Based on his extensive friendships within the profession, his first book, `In the Limelight` was published in 1993 by Harper Collins, and since then he has authored over twenty-seven books covering various aspects of life in show business. Chris’s latest hardbacks include the best-selling `Celebrating Secombe` for Sir Harry Secombe, `Rock on Tommy` for Cannon & Ball, `Under No Illusion` for Paul Daniels, `Vicar to Dad’s Army` with Frank Williams, `Flying High` and `Closer To Heaven` for BBC Radio Two’s Don Maclean, `Little by Little` with Syd Little, Tapestry Tales with Dora Bryan and Show Me The Way with Wendy Craig. Chris’s `Long Hot Soak` series was reprinted before arriving on the shelves, and his current writing work includes a new book for Cannon & Ball. He has also written for BBC radio and a number of newspapers and periodicals.
As a freelance Director and Producer he is responsible for a number of unique stage, television and radio productions, whilst his recording company Fusion, has produced several music, audio and video releases. In 2004 he co-founded `That’s Entertainment Productions`, which specialises in bringing high quality family entertainment to the commercial theatre. TEP has several productions on the road this year including `Liberace – Live in Las Vegas! `
Chris formed the show business Charity `CIE` in 1982 which continues to provide backstage spiritual support for professionals in the entertainment industry, and he remains the Director of this organisation. Chris has a grown up family and enjoys living in Somerset.
