Posts Tagged ‘Music’
BIG COUNTRY TO PLAY CLASSIC DEBUT ALBUM LIVE FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Big Country, 2012.
Big Country, the cult Scottish rock band who formed in November 1981, kick-off their 30th anniversary celebrations by performing their classic 1983 debut album The Crossing live in its entirety during a thirteen-date tour of the U.K. in February 2012. This includes an appearance at the UEA in Norwich on February 13th.
An international best seller, The Crossing sold over 2 million copies in the UK, spawning 2 Top Ten hits and spending 84 consecutive weeks on the Music Week album chart. Scheduled for release on February 6th 2012, the deluxe edition of the album will come with a wealth of previously unreleased demos and mixes, available on 2CD, double-vinyl and digital download formats.
In announcing the ‘Crossing The Country Tour’, bassist Tony Butler says, “It’s typical to write an album and only play a few songs from it, so to get the opportunity to play an entire album is very cool. This tour will give us the chance to play songs never performed before alongside the well-known ones, songs that were written but didn’t make it on to the album, and the associated ‘b side’ material. We can’t wait.”
Big Country, who on November 19th will receive the inaugural ‘Pride of Scotland Award’ at the annual Nordoff Robbins Tartan Clef event held in Glasgow, reformed with The Alarm’s Mike Peters on lead vocal duties in place of the late Stuart Adamson, who passed away in 2001, for two sold-out UK tours and main stage festival appearances including The Isle of Wight Festival, T in The Park, Oxegen and V Festival during 2011. In addition, Big Country re-united with The Crossing’s producer Steve Lillywhite to release their first single in 12 years, ‘Another Country’.
The Crossing tour will also precede the release of a new studio album, scheduled for release in autumn 2012.
Big Country’s ‘Crossing The Country Tour’ dates are as follows:
Feb. 3: Academy, Manchester, U.K.
Feb. 4: O2 Academy, Liverpool, U.K.
Feb. 6: Barrowland, Glasgow, U.K.
Feb. 7: Alhambra, Dunfermline, U.K.
Feb. 8: O2 Academy, Newcastle, U.K.
Feb. 9: O2 Academy, Leeds, U.K.
Feb. 11: O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London, U.K.
Feb. 12: Hexagon, Reading, U.K.
Feb. 13: UEA, Norwich, U.K.
Feb. 15: O2 Academy, Bristol, U.K.
Feb. 16: Rock City, Nottingham, U.K.
Feb. 17: O2 Academy, Birmingham, U.K.
Feb. 18: O2 Academy, Sheffield, U.K.
Tickets are on sale now priced £22.50 from www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk.
The Crossing (2 CD Deluxe Edition) is available to pre-order now on Amazon: http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/v-v/111031182341
This year, the Christmas Seaside Special at Cromer Pier’s Pavilion Theatre is going all out to encourage families along to its fun and festive shenanigans by offering a ‘Kids Go Free‘ deal from 17th December.
We (myself, my Partner and 3 1/2 year old Little Man) went along to a 2pm performance to road-test just how much family-friendly fun we were talking about at this unique theatre perched just metres above the North Sea…
We weren’t disappointed.
Personally, this was my first experience of one of Cromer Pier’s ‘Seaside Specials’, although they are famed far and wide, with people travelling from way beyond Norfolk’s county borders to enjoy them (yes, that far). As the lights went down and the music started, I couldn’t help but smile at Little Man’s awe-struck face. It was definitely the first time he’s been to this sort of thing as well, though he is rapidly becoming a seasoned theatre goer for kids plays and the like.
For the next 2-and-a-half-odd hours (with interval), we were treated to a smorgasbord of entertainment that included dance numbers, singing, comedy, magic and storytelling.
The dancing would appeal to any fan of ‘Strictly..’, and was very accomplished. I was delighted to see a ballet sequence of the Sugar Plum Fairy dance from The Nutcracker, with wonderful pointe work. Each number was well choreographed, well loved and nostalgically festive.
The singing, led by Lulu Alexandra and Dale Page, was equally fabulous, with classic Christmas numbers right through to Glee-esque songs (including Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’). All feel-good, mostly contemporary and Christmassy. Slades ‘So Here It Is Merry Christmas’, and the rest of this upbeat Christmas medley, had me grooving inside if not in the actual aisle. I couldn’t help but grin with delight.
The entire production was steered by the lovable local entertainer Olly Day. With his cheeky stance, Norfolk accent and local knowledge, he hits just the right note with the audience, eliciting laughs without ever really stepping over PG-rated content.
His physical-comedy-packed ’12 Days of Christmas’ with fellow comedian Dave Mac was utterly hilarious. If it was scripted/choreographed to pan out as it did then these two are comedy geniuses (genii?). It certainly seemed very ad-hoc and improvisational. Marvelously funny.
Throughout the show there are pieces that allow children to really engage – the child performers sorting out their letters to Santa, and Olly Day and the same children singing ‘When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney’ for example. Despite this being the longest theatre performance Little Man has ever been to, he remained pretty much captivated through all but the comedian segments, which, as you’d perhaps expect, lost him a bit. The songs, music and physical comedy had him beaming and laughing with the rest of us however.
All in all, it was a breath of fresh air (not unlike the salty surroundings when you stepped back onto the Pier!). Anyone who thinks family-friendly variety is old fashioned or ‘not for them’ should really think again. Or at least see this show before passing absolute judgment. A really feel-good production that’d get even the Scroogiest among us into the Christmas Spirit, its money well spent in my opinion. And with shows like Strictly, Glee, Britain’s Got Talent and the X factor marking a resurgence in the popularity of ‘family entertainment’, a live, well-crafted modern take on the time-honoured variety show like this holds its place nicely beside more 21st Century activities such as 3D HD movies and the Wii.
Performances run every day except Mondays and Christmas Day with the closing night being New Years Eve, after which the theatre bar will remain open to see the New Year in. All children go FREE (2 children limit per 1 paying adult) from the 17th December 2011. While Little Man did enjoy the show, based on the duration, I would say that the show is most suited to the over 5s.
The evening shows start at 7pm, so you can get away around 9.30pm or stay on for a drink or coffee and cake (or warm mince pies!) in the bar, which stays open after the show. Christmas Meals and the Winter Menu (Bangers’n'Mash etc) are available in the Tides Restaurant on the Pier and there are ‘link meals’ to the show for those who wish to enjoy both experiences.
Cromer Pier & Pavilion Theatre,
Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9HE
Office: 01263 512281
Box Office: 01263 512495
Casting Confirmed For Lavish Musical, Oliver!
More details of the casting for the lavish production of Oliver! which is coming to Norwich Theatre Royal in the summer of 2012 are being revealed.
Cameron Mackintosh, in association with Southbrook Group Limited and Stage Entertainment UK, is taking Lionel Bart’s smash-hit musical on a major UK tour from December this year. It will reach Norwich for a five-week run starting on July 3 and feature the multi-talented stage and TV performer Brian Conley as Fagin.
Oliver! - Brian Conley as Fagin.
Now the producers are unveiling details of who else will star in the lavish production. Iain Fletcher – probably best known for the role of DC Rodney Skase in The Bill – will take on the role of Bill Sikes. He has a number of stage roles to his name including Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia! in the West End, as well as a host of TV appearances in a range of shows including Casualty, Murphy’s Law, Doctors, Family Affairs and Band Of Brothers.
Distinguished stage performers Jack Edwards and Suzie Chard will play the roles of Mr Bumble and Widow Corney, while accomplished actor Stephen Moore reprises the role of Mr Brownlow which he also played in the West End. A highly experienced performer, Stephen’s other roles include Hector in the West End run of The History Boys, Colonel Pickering in the UK tour of My Fair Lady, and film appearances in Brassed Off, The Boat That Rocked, and A Christmas Carol.
Others in the cast making their return to Norwich Theatre Royal to star in the production include David Langham, who appeared in Spamalot opposite this year’s Norwich Theatre Royal panto star Hayley Tamaddon, and Victoria Hay, who starred in the critically acclaimed production The Witches of Eastwick opposite Marti Pellow.
Meanwhile producers are set to unveil the identity of the performer who will take on the iconic role of Nancy for the Norwich arm of the tour in the weeks ahead.
John Bultitude, of Norwich Theatre Royal, said: “Cameron Mackintosh and his team have assembled some of this country’s finest stage performers to take on the lead roles in his highly-anticipated production of Oliver!
“Their undoubted experience and on-stage ability coupled with the performing flair of Brian Conley will make this show a must-see for 2012.”
Oliver! recently completed a two-year run at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London where it opened to rave reviews, sell-out business and the biggest advance sales of all time for a West End show.
Last year, Oliver! celebrated its 50th birthday having premiered in the West End in 1960.
Oliver!, Tuesday July 3-Saturday August 4 at 7.30pm, and Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.
Tickets £6.50-£47.50. Discounts for Over-60s, Under-18s and Groups.
Audio described performance on Saturday July 14 at 7.30pm. Signed performance on Friday August 3 at 7.30pm.
BOX OFFICE 01603 630000. For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk.
- 18/05/2012 - Victorian Shell Artistry May 18, 2012
- 18/05/2012 - Shipwrecked! Back to 1897 May 18, 2012
- 18/05/2012 - A Walk Through Time: The Victorians May 18, 2012
- 18/05/2012 - Norwich 20 Group – Looking into 20 – paintings and sculpture at The Forum May 18, 2012
- 18/05/2012 - Tony Foster Paintings/Angela Harding Prints May 18, 2012