Exciting New Year at the Memorial

THE Memorial Theatre lineup is jam-packed with music and entertainment for the start of the year.

Saturday 26th January  7.30pm The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. The will be returning to Frome on 26th January to play their annual concert. 

The annual fundraising concert allows Frome Royal Naval Association to support various activities in the local area including Sea Cadet unit TS Achilles.

They say, “We invite the people of Frome and surrounding areas to offer their continuing support by joining us for our 24th Annual Concert, and to enjoy this wonderful evening of music, pomp & humour.” Tickets £18

Saturday 2nd February  7.30pm ABBA Forever Live In Concert. 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 22 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 @BuddyHollyATC on Facebook  at BuddyHollyandTheCricketeters  and Instagram as buddyhollyatc. Tickets £21, concessions £19.