Taking Stock - Hard Times are ahead for Baker Tilly.

January can be a hard time – even for accountants. But for those with a bit of extra money available for investment, something more entertaining than the average stock market punt has emerged. Supported by accountancy firm Baker Tilly, a musical production of the Charles Dickens classic Hard Times is to be offered as an ethical investment. Tax breaks will be available using the enterprise investment scheme for those putting up £ 1,000 or more. The show, starring Roy Hudd and Brian Blessed, will also launch a tax-efficient company with the aim of raising £ 800,000. Clive Parritt, chairman of Hard Times and chairman of Baker Tilly, said the musical presented a great opportunity for investors to profit from the show’s success. Hard Times will open at the Theatre Royal in Windsor in April before moving on to London’s West End. The company will donate 1% of the takings to the NSPCC. Parritt added that he hoped the production would be a success but, if nobody went to see it, the tax breaks would mean that investors would lose only 50% of their money. Popcorn anyone?