THE Memorial Theatre lineup is jam-packed with music and entertainment for the start of the year.
Saturday 2nd February 7.30pm ABBA Forever Live In Concert. SOLD OUT. The unique Abba look and sound is replicated with an incredible attention to detail as the beautiful lyrics penned by Benny and Bjorn are sung in wonderful harmony by all six performers on stage. Dynamic non-stop choreography, stunning visuals, top-class musicianship and an all-live performance ensures that the Tribute to ABBA Forever Show captivates audiences from the opening refrain to the final sing-along chorus of this two-hour spectacular.
Friday 15th February 7.30pm Toyah: Acoustic, Up Close and Personal. Household name, pop icon, TV presenter, and stage/ screen actress (Calamity Jane, Cabaret, Peter Pan, Jubilee, Quadophenia) Toyah comes to the theatre this February with her Acoustic, Up Close & Personal show.
This is a unique chance to experience Toyah in an intimate setting where music and stories take centre stage. This lively, entertaining and revealing show comes in the form of Toyah performing an unplugged set of her well-loved hits and classic songs, alongside recalling stories from her colourful, 35-year career. From filming pop videos on horseback at 5am in the morning to acting alongside Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier, this is a show which lifts the lid on working in the entertainment business.
A talented duo of guitarists, Chris Wong and Colin Hinds, accompany Toyah on meticulous and melodic acoustic versions of the hits It’s A Mystery, Thunder In The Mountains, I Want To Be Free and Good Morning Universe through to Sensational, a track used recently on a national TV advertising campaign starring Patsy Kensit.
2015 saw Toyah act in the acclaimed cult British feature film Ahhhhhhhh! directed by Steve Oram, whilst 2016 also saw the release of more films in which Toyah has roles; Extremis, Lies We Tell and Kaleidoscope Man alongside Hound. As ever, Toyah’s annual concert diary is also packed with summer festivals, acoustic shows and electric gigs with her full band. Her transatlantic rock band The Humans featuring Bill Rieflin (King Crimson, REM) and Chris Wong recently released their third album Strange Tales. Tickets £22, concessions £20.
Friday 22nd February 7.30pm Buddy Holly & The Crickets – Not Fade Away. 1959-2019 ~ Today The Music Lives. Sixty years ago, on 3rd February 1959, Rock ’n’ Roll – and the world – lost its brightest star. The unparalleled catalogue of music that Buddy Holly left behind has entertained, inspired and moved every subsequent generation to laughter, tears and an irrepressible desire to dance! To commemorate Buddy’s anniversary and to celebrate the joy he has brought millions of people worldwide, the country’s first and best-loved Buddy Holly act, Buddy Holly and The Cricketers, plays a very special show in venues all over the UK, appearing at the Frome on Friday 22nd February, making it a perfect Valentine’s gift for the one you love.
If you like Rock and Roll you’ll definitely love this. Songs include all time favourites such as; That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Heartbeat, It Doesn’t Matter Anymore, Raining In My Heart, Oh Boy! – and much, much more.
Producer Simon Fielder of Simon Fielder Productions, a former actor in the original touring and West End show said, “I’m so lucky to present shows that feature people and subjects about which I am really passionate. Buddy Holly was pivotal in my development as a guitarist and songwriter. Buddy’s music has touched the heart of millions around the world and influenced many famous artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Brian May and many others. This year is especially poignant and will be a show to remember.”
Buddy Holly and The Cricketers is a dynamic show featuring authentic arrangements, driving rhythms, energetic performances and skilled musicianship that has audiences dancing in the aisles. It has been delighting audiences for 26 years and has performed in many locations around the world including Europe and a tour of the US. The show stars some of the finest actor-musicians in the UK including Jason Shaw as Buddy and was endorsed as Britain’s most popular Buddy Holly act when the show appeared on BBC One’s The One and Only, with Graham Norton notably commenting that they were “Buddy Brilliant.”
“The show has always presented Buddy in the style of show we feel he would perform today. Authentic arrangements, driving rhythms, energetic performances and wonderful musicianship, all delivered with charm and humour. Whatever the season, whatever the excuse to party, make your Heartbeat a little faster with the show that has thousands of fans the world over saying: “I can’t believe it’s not Buddy!”
For more information, go to www.simonfielder. com. You can also follow the show on social media on twitter @BuddyHolly ATC on Facebook at Buddy HollyandTheCricketeters and Instagram as buddy hollyatc. Tickets £21, concessions £19.
Saturday 16th March 7.30pm- Gaelforce Dance. Gaelforce Dance, the International phenomenal Irish dance show is delighted to be performing in the UK in 2019, to once again enchant audiences nationwide.
Gaelforce Dance, the celebration of Irish dance, music and song, has dynamically tapped its way into the beating hearts of millions of audience members worldwide since its inception in 1999. This dance spectacular has enjoyed tremendous success on a global scale performing in over 30 countries, across 4 continents and playing to over 2 million people.
Gaelforce Dance is the story of two lovers, Lorcan and Aisling who, as our tale begins, are blissfully unaware of the passion that will erupt between them, leading the lovers into a maelstrom of forbidden love and their community into a cauldron of hate. As the story begins, a chance meeting sparks the ill-fated affair where broken loyalties and jealousy tear two brothers apart. Only after the ultimate tragedy are the brothers once more united.
Produced by Michael Durkan and choreographed by Richard Griffin, Gaelforce Dance is a highly acclaimed show that expertly weaves intricate choreography, thundering rhythms, enchanting melodies and a compelling storyline into a stirring tale of love, passion and tragedy. It is due to these incredibly innovative elements that in 2010 Gaelforce Dance was the winner of IQ Magazine’s ‘Limelight Award’ for Best Dance Spectacular beating all other Irish dance shows in its category.
2019 will be an exciting new year for Gaelforce Dance, with exhilarating new choreography and the inclusion of new dance numbers. This year Gaelforce Dance is going to be bigger and brighter, with glittering new production, exciting new costumes and electrifying music and songs. “We aim to be different from other shows; we are more theatrical. We operate by a very sharp edge which it is very challenging for our dancers, but the experience of our show is irreplaceable and much more emotional and immediate,” says Richard Griffin.
“Gaelforce Dance takes the audience right to the edge with its perfect mix of traditional and contemporary Irish dance music. It fuses a classic love tale in a spectacle of star studded quality that is Irish dancing at its raw and energetic best.”
Tickets £22, Concessions £18
Saturday 23rd March 7.30pm- Rule The World with Tony as Robbie. Back by popular demand for a fifth time! Rule The World have been recognised as the Number One Take That tribute act in the world.
They appeared alongside Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters and THE REAL TAKE THAT on BBC1’s ‘The Graham Norton Show’. After hearing Dan Maines speak, a stunned Gary Barlow said in amazement “He sounds like me!”. Gary then also praised the band saying “These guys are good!”
This year will also feature the return of Tony Lewis as “Robbie”.
The show is an accurate portrayal of a Take That concert and features all the biggest hits including ‘Never Forget’, ‘Greatest Day’, ‘Back For Good’, ‘Relight My Fire’, ‘Everything Changes’, ‘Shine’, ‘Pray’ and many more.
Raising funds with “Smile With Siddy”
Tickets £20, over 60s £19, under 16s £18.
