Comedy, music and theatre at the Memorial

THERE’S a lot to look forward to at the Memorial Theatre over the coming weeks, with some national big name stars lined up to thrill and entertain.

Leading the way is the Vienna Festival Ballet’s production of Cinderella, Andy Fairweather-Low, a Roy Orbison tribute, cricketing legend Phil Tufnell and author Gyles Brandreth.

On Saturday 27 May, the Vienna Festival Ballet presents Cinderella, one of the best-known rags-to-riches fairy tales of all time.

A mistreated young girl, a glass slipper, two comical ugly step-sisters and a handsome prince combine to make the perfect piece of story-telling.

Vienna Festival Ballet’s production of Cinderella is based on the traditional story, the ballet will surely touch and reach out to everyone’s heart, with its combination of pure classical dancing and a touch of pantomime.

The music contains a collection of Rossini’s most famous operatic achievements and has been especially arranged for Vienna Festival Ballet.

“The entire show was captivating from start to finish” (Welwyn Hatfield Times); “An excellent company of talented young dancers. Their energy and enthusiasm is breathtaking.” (Ents24.com).

Ticket are adults £20, over 60s £19, under 16s £15, Groups 10+ = 1 free ticket per 10 purchased.

Andy Fairweather-Low – the lead singer in the 1960s pop heart throb band Amen Corner – is heading to the Memorial on Saturday 10 June at 7.30pm with his band the Low Riders.

Andy had a very successful solo career on a worldwide level with three strong selling albums, and he had a No 1 in many countries with his single Wide Eyed & Legless.

With hits such as (If Paradise is) Half as Nice, Bend Me Shape Me & Wide Eyed & Legless, Andy & his band play a two-hour set of blues, soul, country, surf, rock & gospel, Andy’s own solo material and back-to-back Amen Corner hits. A remarkable band, a remarkable front man. Ticket are £20.

On Saturday 17th June at 7.30pm, Barry Steele – widely recognised as one of the world’s leading vocalists – plays homage to legend Roy Orbison.

Barry Steele has stunned audiences across the globe with his uncanny similarity and ability to authentically revive the exquisite toe-tapping sound of this music giant.

He is quite simply unmissable, as he takes you on this specially produced musical journey in time as he celebrates his own personal ten year anniversary on tour.

Featuring chart busting hits originally performed and made famous by George Harrison, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Shadows, Cilla Black, The Travelling Wilburys and of course the Big O, the performance is backed by a big screen and phenomenally talented musicians resulting in an incredible fusion of ’60s solid gold classics and ’80s contemporary musical genius all on one stage.

“True Identikit Brilliance” – The Stage

Ticket Prices are £20.00

Spend the evening with Aggers and Tuffers on Friday 30 June from 7.30pm and enjoy a fascinating, no-holds-barred evening that will entertain both cricket fans and non-lovers of the game.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew and the former bad boy of English cricket in the 1990s, Phil Tufnell, will have you laughing along as they recall tales from both their extensive careers.

Ever since the 2013 home Ashes series, ‘Evenings With Aggers’ have been delighting audiences across the country. Phil Tufnell teamed up with his Test Match Special colleague for a series of shows from February 2016 and their onstage partnership was an immediate hit.

Since retiring, Phil has carved out a successful TV career, appearing in I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, The Jump, Strictly Come Dancing and he is Matt Dawson’s opposing team captain in BBC’s long-running series, A Question of Sport.

The event is being run in aid of the Professional Cricketers’ Association and money from the evening will go to the organisation’s Benevolent Fund.

Tickets are £24 or  £50 VIP to include welcome drink, programme and meet and greet with Aggers & Tuffers. (VIP tickets can only be booked via the box office).

On opening night of the Frome Festival, Friday 7 July,  Gyles Brandreth will be taking to the stage to take us on a hilarious rollercoaster ride around some of his favourite places from the green benches of Westminster to the green rooms of the West End.

With a cast-list that runs from Oscar Wilde to The Queen, this is a wonderfully witty and revealing evening’s entertainment from an award-winning raconteur, with unique tales to tell from his unlikely life in the theatre, on television, in journalism and politics.

Now best known as a reporter with The One Show on BBC1 and a regular on Radio 4’s Just a Minute, Gyles Brandreth’s career has ranged from being a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury to starring in the West End in his own award-winning musical Zipp!

Tickets are £18.

To book tickets, visit the Memorial Theatre on Christchurch Street West, call 01373 462795 or go to www.fmt.website.