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BOLSHOI SOLOIST TO PERFORM IN DARLINGTON

Irina Bozhenko, Bolshoi Theatre soloist, is coming to Darlington Civic Theatre to perform in Verdi’s opera masterpiece La Traviata on Tuesday 6 October.

Irina Bozhenko, who has starred in operas across the globe, will be making a guest appearance in Darlington, in the leading role of Violetta.

Following the enthusiastic reception which greeted the performance of Rigoletto opera earlier this year, the renowned Russian State Ballet and Opera House is back with one of the greatest of Verdi’s operas La Traviata – a love story shrouded in sacrifice and misunderstanding.

This haunting tragedy, with its beautiful arias, will transport you into the entrancing world of French High Society in the 1850s. One of the most powerful and moving of all tragic operas, Giuseppe Verdi brings the beguiling splendour and gaiety of mid-19th century Parisian life to the stage. But there is also heartbreak and pathos in this tragic and resonant morality tale in which Violetta, a high-society courtesan with a heart of gold, sacrifices everything for the man she loves.

It is deservedly one of Verdi’s most popular operas and probably the one with which he felt the closest emotional connection.

La Traviata, an ultimately tragic tale, combines compelling characters with hugely powerful, moving and instantly recognisable melodies, making it still, 162 years after its 1853 debut, one of the most emotionally engaging and popular operas of all time. It is a deeply moving opera filled with emotion and strokes of genius.

Q&A with Irina Bozhenko, who has starred in operas across the globe, and will be making a guest appearances in the leading role of Violetta in Darlington.

• How old were you when you realised that you wanted to be an Opera singer?

I used to sing in kinder garden and then in school where I was part of the school choir. I went through a stage of trying to be like Whitney Huston. Especially, I used to love singing when I did chores at home.

• What do you do after a performance?

We have a tradition with the cast – After any premiere we get together to celebrate and discuss the performance. We are all together in it, rehearsals, stress, and performances, so it’s important to share the feelings with each other and get it out of your chest.

• How do you separate work from home?

I never bring my work home. Although sometimes if I can’t get things right I moan to my husband. He is a good musician so he understands what I am talking about.

• What do you like doing in your free time?

I like to cook and being outside. Nothing extraordinary. Being surrounded by nature calms me down. It’s important for me to switch off at the right moment. We give so much emotion on stage it’s vital to recharge.

• If you could, what message will you give to the audience?

Don’t be shy to show your emotions, it is really important for us. At the end of the day we are singing for you!

La Traviata is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 6 October. Tickets* are £29 to £36.

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

**ENDS**

RELEASE DATE: For immediate release

PUBLIC INFORMATION: (01325) 486 555 or [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION / INTERVIEWS / IMAGES:

Julian Cound, Marketing Officer, 01325 405511 [email protected]

 

** H I S L A S T D A N C E **

MICHAEL FLATLEY
TO RETIRE FROM
PROFESSIONAL DANCE
FOLLOWING HIS
BROADWAY DEBUT
IN THE GLOBAL PHENOM
“L O R D  O F  T H E  D A N C E : D A N G E R O U S G A M E S”

COMING TO BROADWAY
AT THE LYRIC THEATRE

BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT
WILL CELEBRATE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF
“LORD OF THE DANCE”

PERFORMANCES BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2015
FOR A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT THROUGH JANUARY 3, 2016

OPENING NIGHT SET FOR NOVEMBER 10, 2015

THUNDER

plus support from

Terrorvision & King King

Sheffield Arena Friday 19^th February 2016

The sensational return of UK rock legends Thunder, who had a Top 10 UK album earlier this year, continues into 2016 with the announcement of five UK arena dates including a Sheffield Arena show on Friday 19^th February 2016 in the intimate surroundings of the Arena’s Steel Hall.

The band will be blowing the roof off arenas around the UK in February. Says lead singer Danny Bowes: “The shows in March were incredible, and the new songs went down just as well as the Thunder favourites.  We can’t wait for February, so we can do it all over again.”

Support will come from renowned Bradford rockers Terrorvision, who have reformed for their first shows in three years, plus King King, nominees at this year’s Classic Rock Awards for Best New Band.

Terrorvision bassist Leigh Marklew, says “We were discussing the idea of getting back into the ring in 2016, so when the call came from Thunder asking us to be their special guests, the timing was perfect. We agreed it will be a fun tour, a great way to come back.”

From 1992’s debut Formaldehyde through to Super Delux in 2011 – Terrorvision have stomped out their own, original brand of shiny pop rock (with dirt under its fingernails), from crunching metal (Alice, What’s The Matter, American TV), pure pop killers (Oblivion, Perseverance and Tequila), brooding melodrama (Middleman, Some People Say, Bad Actress) to high-octane punk funk (My House, Pretend Best Friend, D’ya Wanna Go Faster), Terrorvision have always delivered the party right to your door.

Ticket for the Sheffield Arena show on Friday 19^th February 2016 go on general sale at 9am on Friday 25^th September priced £31.35 (including booking fee) when purchased throughwww.sheffieldarena.co.uk or the ticket hotline on 0114 256 56 56 or £29.93 (including booking fee) when purchased in person from the Arena Box Office.

 

Following the successful completion of the building work to save Wilton’s Music Hall, Frances Mayhew will step down as artistic director on October 6^th 2015.

“For the last 11 years saving Wilton’s has been all-consuming. A personal passion, and a professional mission. This extraordinary building was literally falling down when I first arrived, however, its outstanding beauty and charm and enormous historical significance were plain to see, despite the tumbling masonry, and I knew pretty much straight away that I had to find a way of securing its future long term.

It is with no little sense of achievement that I can now say: “We did it”. Wilton’s is saved. The job is done. And so too is my job. It is time to move on and try new things and maybe have a little rest!

I have loved being here, the joy it brings people who come here is the same joy that it has given me. I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful staff members and I have enjoyed the support of some wonderful colleagues and my family to all of whom I say a big thank you. Wilton’s I hope will now spread its wonderful wings and fulfil all its amazing potential. I shall miss the place!”

–          Frances Mayhew

“Frances Mayhew has been the inspiration and driving force behind the conservation of Wilton’s Music Hall. She has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the project and together with her team should be proud of what she has achieved.

Not only has Frances played the leading part in saving Wilton’s but she has built up a sustainable business model which will ensure that Wilton’s continues to develop and grow its role as ‘A Music Hall for the Modern Day’.

All at Wilton’s wish Frances every success in her future career. Her energy and enthusiasm will be a challenge to replace.”

–          David Pennock, Chairman of Trustees

Upstairs At The Gatehouse 16th – 27th September, St.James Theatre – Studio 2nd – 3rd October, Radlett Centre 17th October. Reviewed by Claire Roderick

 

Sue Kelvin (the Me in the title) is a lifelong fan of Bette Midler, and boy, does it show. Along with Alex Young and Sarah Travis, Sue showcases some of Midler’s most famous songs. Writer Chris Burgess has cleverly intertwined the life stories of Sue and Midler with hilariously moving results.

The three ladies all have very different and very strong voices, and produce magical harmonies together. How Sarah Travis manages to keep playing the piano so well with all of the insanity going on around her is a mystery to me. Alex Young shows off her skills with the flute and ukulele before her stunning version of From A Distance takes your breath away. Their camaraderie on stage is infectious – at times you want to join in the banter – and the tag team story telling is energetic and slick.

The show takes us from childhood in Hawaii (and Didsbury) through to the present day. Anecdotes from Midler’s life are told alongside Sue’s own life story. The songs the team has selected are very effective in carrying the narrative along, and are fantastic crowd pleasers. As well as recounting the tragedies in Midler’s life, Sue doesn’t shy away from telling of her troubles and losses. She is searingly honest talking about her brother mid song, making her version of The Rose one of the most emotionally raw I have ever seen.

But there are lots of laughs too! Rapid fire one liners and some fantastic visual gags keep you giggling throughout.

The finale is a 3 minute 52 second version of Beaches – with puppets. This is as mad and as funny as it sounds. The cheesiness of the film is embraced and celebrated and the death scene is brilliantly bonkers.

This show has been put together with love and respect – near the end, Sue states that Bette Midler is an inspiration to all of us who never quite fitted in, and trembles with excitement recalling Midler’s latest UK show. There are Bette Midler fans, Bette Midler superfans, and then there is Sue Kelvin!

This is a wonderfully ballsy show with a heart of gold. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

GO, GO, GO JOE!

 

CHART-TOPPING X FACTOR STAR JOE MCELDERRY

 

STEPS INTO TECHNICOLOR TITLE ROLE AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

 

WATCH: #JoeIsJoseph

 

 

X FACTOR winner JOE MCELDERRY gets set to put on a dazzling coat of many colours as he steps in the title role of the UK’s longest running musical JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Leeds Grand Theatre next year.   Tickets  go on sale on Monday 21^st September at 10am.

Joe was just 18 when won the sixth series of The X Factor having been mentored by Girls Aloud star Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and beating off fierce competition from Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.

Joe then soared to number one on the UK Singles Charts with his rendition of Miley Cyrus’s The Climb and his debut album Wide Awake went straight in at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. He has since gone on to have two more top ten albums, and he became the first X Factor star to release four albums, with a fifth in the making.

Joe, who hails from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, is also the first and only celebrity to win three reality TV shows! He was crowned the winner of the second series of ITV’s Popstar to Operastar before strapping on his skis and slaloming his way to become champion of Channel 4’s celebrity ski competition The Jumplast year.

Joseph marks Joe’s first major theatrical appearance following a one-off West End gala performance as the lead in The Who’s Tommy in 2012.

 

Having garnered sensational reviews and standing ovations at every performance since its inception almost 35 years ago, Bill Kenwright’s Amazing’, ‘Superb’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Brilliant’ production of this sparkling family musical has now sold an estimated 20 million tickets. This vibrant and exciting retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours sings out to young and old alike with a score which is crammed wall to wall with hits, including Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.

 

 

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 22^nd to Saturday 26^th March 2016

 

Tickets go on sale on Monday 21^st September at 10am priced from £19 to £33.50

 

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700

 

The Gala Charity Performance of The Rocky Horror Show on 17^th September, at the Playhouse Theatre, London in aid of Amnesty International, was broadcast to over 600 cinemas across the UK and Europe. Celebrity guest star narrators including comedy legend Stephen Fry, Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc, Spice Girl Emma Bunton, comedy actor Ade Edmondson and Merlin star Anthony Head joined the cast and the creator of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O’Brien on stage to share the role of The Narrator.

Rocky Horror Show live screening was number one performer in UK cinemas grossing over £600,000 at the Box Office, beating Legend and The Maze Runner. Rocky Horror Live was trending on Twitter throughout the evening, with thousands of fans interacting about the event.

Fans across Europe turned up in fancy dress to watch the special screening at their chosen cinema and all took a jump to the left in probably the largest simultaneous Time Warp ever! Celebrity fans including Melanie C, Kimberley Walsh, Martin Clunes, Jane Horrocks, Jade Jones, Louie Spence, Paul Cattermole, Shappi Khorsandi and Daisy Head showed their support from the Playhouse Theatre, London.

Marc Allenby at Picturehouse Entertainment said: ‘We are delighted with the broadcast of Rocky Horror Live, the response of audiences across the UK and Europe has been phenomenal it’s been a pleasure partnering with the team and ATG on this fantastic theatre and cinema event and we are looking forward to further collaborations in the future.’

The limited London run of Rocky Horror Show, awarded 5 stars by the Daily Telegraph, at the Playhouse Theatre, London continues until Saturday 26^th September

JOIN STRICTLY’S VINCENT AND FLAVIA FOR THEIR LAST TANGO

AT THE LYCEUM THEATRE

Strictly Come Dancing superstars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace bring their final ever spectacular dance show The Last Tango to the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 28 September – Saturday 3 October.

Twenty years of dancing together has seen Vincent and Flavia become Strictly Come Dancing favourites, World Argentine Tango Champions, and create and star in their own Olivier Award nominated West End productions Midnight Tango and Dance ‘Til Dawn – but now, as the nation’s favourite dancers prepare to take on new projects, it is time for them to say goodbye to audiences across the UK with a brand new thrilling live performance.

The dynamic duo will be accompanied on stage by a brilliant cast of professional dancers and musicians in an intimate, passionate and moving performance guaranteed to thrill all lovers of dance.

Don’t miss these virtuoso performers as they dance together on stage for the final time in The Last Tango.

The Last Tango is at the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 28 September – Saturday 3 October.Tickets are priced from £16.00 – £32.00, and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 0114 249 6000 or by visiting sheffieldtheatres.co.uk (a transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash).