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Friday, 30th July 2010

 
Sights and sounds


FOLLOWING their record- breaking sell-out production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Brighton earlier this year, Brighton Theatre Group are doing The Full Monty.

Featuring BTG’s finest artistes, The Full Monty, directed by Michael Burnie, tells the story of six unemployed industrial workers who bare all to regain their self esteem as they struggle to cope with losing their jobs in the recession, in a show that promises to take Brighton by storm.

The show, that features raunchy and revealing dance routines choreographed by Nathan Potter and a fabulous musical score directed by Jules Porreca, will see all six leading men going The Full Monty on stage for each of the seven performance nights.

The Broadway sensation musical version of The Full Monty is based on the book by Terrance McNally, and the film, released over a decade ago, became the UK’s biggest box office attraction.

The professionalism of BTG and their high standard of musical theatre productions have secured the company two regular slots in Theatre Royal’s coveted annual programme of first class entertainment.

Their production of The Full Monty is another golden opportunity for BTG to continue their tried and tested tradition of successfully tackling a diverse range of musical theatre productions.

The show’s on from November 11 to 15. Tickets are available from the box office on 08700 606 650 or online at www.theambassadors.com/theateroyal



FOR the first time ever, the classic story of Sophie and her extraordinary teatime guest will come to life at Theatre Royal Brighton.

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!

The enduringly popular tale of a tiger creating teatime mayhem is brought to the stage in a show packed with magic, sing-along songs and clumsy chaos.

Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came To Tea is one of the best-selling and best-loved picture books of all time.

Since it was first published in 1968, it has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide and is translated in more than 20 different languages. October 2008 is the 40th anniversary of The Tiger Who Came To Tea.

Judith is also renowned for another of her feline creations, Mog. Mog books have also featured on bestseller lists for the past 30 years and have sold more than 3 million copies.

David Wood OBE, who adapted it for the stage, is the country’s leading writer and director of plays and musicals for children. His many successes include Fantastic Mr Fox, The Gingerbread Man, BFG, The Witches, Meg and Mog, Spot and Babe the Sheep Pig.

Don’t miss out on this wonderfully entertaining show for children aged three and up. Teatime has never been so entertaining!

The show runs from October 30 to November 1. Tickets are £12 for adults or £10.50 for children from the box office on 08700 606 650, groups hotline on 08700 606 617, access bookings on 0871 297 5477 or go to www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal



THE Royal Shakespeare Company are to open Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s epic tale of thwarted love, at Theatre Royal Brighton.

Featuring a company of 23 actors and a seven-piece live band on stage, this bold theatrical new staging of Shakespeare’s fast-moving story of two teenagers torn apart by their families’ vendetta, reunites award-winning Brighton director Neil Bartlett and designer Kandis Cook, the creative team behind the 2007 sell-out Stratford-upon-Avon production of Twelfth Night.

Neil Bartlett said: “I’m very excited to be going back to the RSC – and to be working with a company of 30 performers.“I’m going to tell Shakespeare’s story on a bare stage, but with costumes from the Italy of the 1940s and 50s – think of early Fellini and Visconti movies.

“For the story to catch fire, the company has to be able to move as fast as the emotions of the lovers do, and the world of the play has to be harsh, Catholic, sexy, violent – so the beautiful, hot-blooded poetry is going to be punctuated by the flash of knives, and the sound of an Italian street band, playing live on stage with the actors.

“Our tour takes us to some really fine theatres (I’m thrilled to be opening in my home town), and I’m especially excited by the fact that this particular play always draws a crowd – both of young people who’ve never seen a Shakespeare play before, and of people who know and love it as one of the best stories ever written about how the world can conspire to destroy all that is brightest and most beautiful.”

The title roles will be played by David Dawson and Laura Rees. David Dawson, who trained at RADA, makes his RSC debut as Romeo. He recently played Smike in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Gielgud Theatre, London; Chichester and international tour), for which he received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Newcomer in a Play.

Other theatre credits include The Entertainer and Richard II (Old Vic). TV appearances include The Thick Of It and Essex Girls (BBC), Doc Martin and Up Close and Personal (ITV).

Juliet will be played by Laura Rees, who last appeared with the RSC alongside Ralph Fiennes in Ibsen’s Brand in 2003.Other stage credits include: Twelfth Night and Macbeth (Chichester), Titus Andronicus, The Comedy of Errors and Pericles (Shakespeare’s Globe), Romeo and Juliet (English Touring Theatre), The Sleeping Beauty (Northampton), The Importance of Being Earnest and The Vortex (Manchester Royal Exchange).

Screen work includes: Lewis and Where The Heart Is (ITV), Holby City (BBC) and the Richard Curtis film, Love Actually.Neil was artistic director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre between 1994 and 2004, where he directed 37 productions, including Kleist’s The Prince of Homberg and Marivaux’s The Dispute – both co-productions with the RSC.

In 2007, he returned to the RSC to direct Twelfth Night with John Lithgow. His production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband opens at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in August, 2008. Skin Lane, his acclaimed third novel, was nominated for the Costa Novel Award 2008.

The cast also includes: Owain Arthur (Peter), Ben Ashton (Paris), James G. Bellorini (Friar John), Michael Benz (Balthasar), James Clyde (Friar Laurence), Dan Crow (Sampson), Mark Holgate (Tybalt), Christopher Hunter (Lord Capulet), Katie Krane (Lady Montague), Julie Legrand (Nurse), Éva Magyar (Lady Capulet), Niamh McCann (Ball Guest), Vinta Morgan (Escalus), Geoffrey Newland (Capulet’s Cousin), Ryan O’Donnell (Gregory), Daniel Percival (Benvolio), Craig Ritchie (Apothecary), Anneika Rose (Ball Guest), Mark Ross (Lord Montague), Gyuri Sarossy (Mercutio) and Rebecca Wingate (Ball Guest). The production will also feature a seven-piece live band on stage.

Joining Neil Bartlett and Kandis Cook on the creative team are: Bruno Poet (lighting), Simon Slater (music), Christopher Shutt (sound), Leah Hausman (movement) and Alison de Burgh (fights).

The show runs from October 17 to 25, with a post-show discussion with the director and members of the creative team and an insight into the production process on October 22, which is free to ticket holders.

Tickets are £17 to £27 from the box office on 08700 606 650, groups hotline on 08700 606 617, access bookings on 0871 297 5477 or from www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal



HOLD onto your hats, there’s a brand new musical heading to town... David Essex, together with Boogie Nights creator Jon Conway invite you on a roller coaster ride of romance and rock and roll, underscored by a helter-skelter of David Essex hits and album favourites in All the Fun of the Fair.

All the Fun of the Fair is set around a travelling funfair, providing the focal point for a musical merry-go-round of love, loss, laughter and loyalty, all played out against a stunning score courtesy of the hits of David Essex, which powerfully underpin the events as they unfold.

David Essex stars in the role of funfair owner Levi Lee, who is coming to terms with the death of his wife and the attentions of another woman whilst struggling to deal with his rebellious teenage son’s tangled love life and ambitions.

Danger and mysticism lurk in the future, as predicted by a gypsy fortune-teller if Levi changes his path.

This moving story with a heartbreaking twist reaches out to every parent and anyone who has ever been in love.

Against this tenor backdrop are hilarious crafty cons, action-packed sequences and memorable melodies galore.

Inhabiting a world of dodgems and dreams, beautifully crafted galloper horses and hearts’ desires, are characters who will live on in the mind long after the funfair has left town.

There’s Rosa, played by acclaimed West End actress Louise English, who yearns for the attentions of Levi, and then, a generation on, there’s Levi’s son Jack.

The producers are delighted to announce Paul Ryan Carberry in the role of Jack, a wild and wilful young man who’s very much his father’s son though he might not always see it himself…

Inspired by David Essex’s debut album All the Fun of the Fair, this stunning new production is a project David has long been keen to bring to fruition.

Working with Jon Conway on the script development and with a myriad of musical hits to choose from, the stage is now set for an unmissable theatrical ride, directed by Nikolai Foster (Aspects of Love, Witches of Eastwick).

David Essex has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning concerts, records, theatre, composing, film and TV.

Having shot to fame as Jesus in Godspell, he is known to millions worldwide – not least from his iconic role as Che in Evita.

Regularly courted by Hollywood, he has always returned to the UK and has undertaken numerous nationwide sell-out solo tours, playing to legions of fans, the most recent of which, his Happy Ever After tour, spanned three months this year.

His recent stage work includes Footloose The Musical in the West End and Aspects of Love on a major new UK tour in 2008.

All the Fun of the Fair features Soundscape – a new concept which will add to the atmosphere by providing the distinctive sounds of the funfair from behind the audience as well as from the stage itself. That rollercoaster really is closer that you’d think.

It features the hits Winters Tale, Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You a Star, Me and My Girl Nightclubbing, Silver Dream Machine, Rock On and many more.

Tickets are £17.50 to £29.50 from the box office on 08700 606 650, groups hotline on 08700 606 617, access bookings on 0871 297 5477 or go to www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal


ANGELINA Ballerina, the little star with big dreams, takes to the stage at Theatre Royal Brighton with English National Ballet in her first live ballet Angelina’s Star Performance.



With a cast of English National Ballet’s dancers, the show offers a unique introduction for boys and girls aged three plus to experience their first live ballet.

Angelina’S Star Performance is based upon author Katherine Holabird’s and illustrator Helen Craig’s successful and timeless book Angelina at the Palace, which follows Angelina as she prepares to stage her own performance of The Sleeping Beauty at the request of the Queen in her splendid palace.

She even has a real life Princess, Princess Valentine, to star alongside her in the show. It’s Angelina’s biggest challenge yet… will she manage to pull it off?

Tickets for the show, from October 3 to 5, are £12 to £16 from the box office on 08700 606 650, groups hotline on 08700 606 617, access bookings on 0871 297 5477 or go to www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal



THE internationally acclaimed Circus Oz will officially celebrate its 30th Birthday Bash with a brand new show.

Circus Oz party planners have been in full swing to ensure this special birthday show is one to remember, featuring classic Circus Oz favourites along with the world première appearance of brand new cast members, new acts, new musicians and new gags.

Circus Oz’s strictly limited 30th Birthday Bash season runs from September 24 to 26 at 7.30pm and will introduce a spectacular new team of young acrobats and aerialists to Brighton Dome audiences.These daring performers will present an awe-inspiring display of physical prowess that alternates between beauty and bounce.

Old and new fans of any age will experience the whole Circus Oz package with a show of breathtaking feats, cheeky satire, original live music and irreverent Australian humour, all tied up in shiny, new birthday wrapping paper.

For the past three decades, Circus Oz has been celebrated around the world for its high-energy performances.

This summer is a chance for Brighton audiences of all ages to celebrate one of Australia’s greatest entertainment performing arts companies.

As artistic director Mike Finch said: “2008 is a special year for us. It’s a chance to celebrate our amazing 30 years in style. We invite everyone to join the party as we raise the roof across the globe this year.”

If you don’t want to sit on the sidelines and want to join in for the future, then sign up for a six-week workshop programme at Brighton Dome to learn circus skills or the trapeze.

Both workshops take place on October 27, November 3, November 10, November 17, November 24 and December 1 in the Pavilion Theatre.

In trapeze workshops for adults (minimum age 16), you learn to use ropes and to trapeze in a safe and supportive environment. Beginners’ classes run 10am-11am and improvers 11am-noon.

In circus skills with trickswop, children (aged seven to 14) can learn all the skills of the circus – jugglers, tightrope walkers, unicyclists and stilt walkers – in a fabulous, fun-packed workshop at 4.30pm-6.30pm.

For tickets, call Brighton Dome’s ticket office on 01273 709709 or visit our website www.brightondome.org or www.circusoz.com







A SOLO performance by Steven Berkoff, the Magners Paramount Comedy Festival, rock legends and some of the most exciting names in dance.

That is just some of what’s in store during the autumn season at Brighton Dome.

For dance lovers, there’s Skins choreographer Hofesh Shechter, who brings his formidable cast of dancers for the double bill of the 2006 triumph Uprising and the gritty and physical In Your Rooms on November 18.

Before this, on October 7 and 8, Protein Dance Company work with 10 amateur performers from the Brighton area, in addition to their six professional dancers, to create Dear Body, a witty satire about our growing fixation with body image.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or as they’re affectionately known “The Trocks”, will bring their all-male company for a unique blend of parody and a playful homage to the world of classical ballet on October 28 and 29.

The award-winning Brighton sensation STOMP continues to wow audiences with its unique combination of theatre, dance, comedy and percussion and returns home from November 25 to 30.

For budding Stompers there’s an opportunity to have a go yourself at their one-hour workshops on November 15.

The music programme has a mixture of world music stars, rock legends, classical music sensations and more.

It starts with celebrated icon Dr John, who joins the Lower 911 to bring blues, funk and soul to the Concert Hall on October 21 in a heartfelt homage to New Orleans.

Then there is haunting vocals and earnest songwriting from the legendary singer-songwriter John Martyn on November 7 and Steve Winwood from the renowned Spencer Davis Group and writer of classics like Gimme Some Lovin’ and Keep on Running arrives on November 10.

Singer, songwriter, film star and reportedly “the coolest man on the planet” Seu Jorge will bring his mix of urban salsa and Brazilian funk to the Concert Hall on October 31.

Then, on December 12, there is a special gospel concert from the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Formed in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind, they are one of the most celebrated and enduring gospel groups of all time.

In contrast to this is a new generation of Tomorrow’s Warriors, showcasing some of the brightest young musicians on the UK jazz scene, on November 8.

From new performers to new music as British percussionist Joby Burgess creates experimental percussion-led electronic music and is performing two world premières at the Pavilion Theatre on December 6 with Powerplant.

Following their acclaimed live soundtrack to cult film classic Run Lola Run at Brighton Festival 2007, The Bays return to Brighton Dome for their latest groundbreaking event.

The Bays have assembled a dream team: the UK’s hippest young classical ensemble, the Heritage Orchestra; Grammy-winning composer/orchestrator Simon Hale (Baba Maal, Kylie, Bjork); and the Duke Quartet’s composer/arranger extraordinaire John Metcalfe for a live improvised meeting of musical minds – part electronica, part classical music – all relayed to the audience via video screen technology on November 21.

For classical music lovers, regular favourites the London Philharmonic Orchestra are performing an all Tchaikovsky concert conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky on November 8.

For the Piano Concert No. 2 they will be joined by soloist Viktoria Postnikova, who is renowned for her recording of Tchaikovsky's complete piano works.

For an atmospheric and wonderful night, there’s Mozart by Candlelight with the Mozart Festival Orchestra on December 11.

The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra will also be returning with an impressive series of concerts starting on October 5 with a celebration of Vaughan Williams’ music for his anniversary.

On October 26, they treat concert-goers to Schubert, Wagner, Tchaikovsky and Mozart; then, on November 15, Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto is performed alongside Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6 and Dvorák; whilst on November 23 Melvyn Tan performs Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.2; on December 7, they will delight with an all-British concert, notably with Michael Collins performing Finzi; and, finally, there’s the traditional Viennese New Year’s Eve concert with the likes of the Blue Danube Waltz, Radetzky March and more favourites to be heard.

For theatre, there are two fantastic Steven Berkoff events in one season: see the man himself in his solo performance of Requiem for Ground Zero on November 20.

Prior to this, George Dillon will perform the one-man show Graft: Tales of an Actor penned by Berkoff on November 25 and 26.

On November 20, Berkoff’s performance will be followed by an enlightening “in-conversation” with Guardian columnist and Brighton Dome & Festival chair Polly Toynbee in Brighton Dome Concert Hall.

A trio of theatre suitable for families starts with A Grimm World (ages seven-plus) on October 26, an enchanting, funny yet dark story about Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, who have to evade the French army to get their latest story to their publisher.

On October 28 and 29, Farnham Maltings brings the most performed Canadian play of the last 10 years to Brighton audiences: The Drawer Boy (for adults and children aged 12-plus) is the true story of a young actor who goes to live and work on a remote farm with two elderly bachelors and who finds as he sets to work that the past begins to unravel.

On November 27 Thingumajig Theatre present A November Day (ages 10-plus) to mark the 90th anniversary of the ending of the First World War.Using a distinctive style of puppetry, they tell the story of war, friendship and a stray dog who knew no boundaries.

October 3 and 4 sees the culmination of Encore, Brighton Dome’s over-60s theatre group, with their performance of Bye George! written by playwright Brian Clark and devised by the company.

Brian Clark created the award-winning play Whose Life Is It Anyway, which was recently revived by Peter Hall and starred Kim Cattrall.

Brighton's annual laughathon, the Magners Paramount Comedy Festival is back for another cram-packed month of stand-up from October 9 to 25.

Skits, sketches, mischief and banter abound courtesy of the greatest line-up of comedy talent, ranging from Alan Carr, Frankie Boyle, Ed Byrne, Jimmy Carr, and Lucy Porter to Clive James, Roy Walker and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

Join John Shuttleworth on November 30 for a celebration of all things strange and mythological, which may well include Father Christmas himself.

Hilarious new songs will be performed on John's Yamaha organ, as well as the classics – Pigeons in Flight, I Can't Go Back to Savoury Now, Eggs and Gammon and Two Margarines.

The Christmas season will be upon us before we know it with baubles, glitter and fabulous shows. Brighton Dome has a number of seasonal treats to offer, the highlight of which has to be a double dose of Russian ballet, bringing for the first time a show for all the family from the Kiev Classical Ballet, who will perform the memorable Peter and the Wolf and The Carnival of Animals from December 13 to 16.

Then there’s the sumptuous and glamorous St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, who return to Brighton Dome with The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty from December 23 to 30.

More family entertainment is available with the popular The Night Before Christmas which returns from December 8 to 13.

Finally, join in the Christmas dancing yourself at either the Winter Ceilidh on December 20 or the Christmas Ball on December 18.

Work on those moves and prepare for the big night out at the Christmas Ball by learning all the right moves in six easy sessions at Ballroom Dancing workshops with professional dance teacher Carola Degener-Pereira from October 27 to December 1 at 8pm to 10pm.

The fascinating array of workshops at Brighton Dome continues this season with favourites such as Trapeze for Adults and Circus Skills With Trickswop (age seven to 14 years) running for six sessions between October 27 and December 1. Sing-along-Sandwich for Adults also returns for five sessions from November 3 to December 1.

On October 27, frighten yourself into the middle of next week with Theatrical Makeup in a day (age 15-plus). Join Sylvi DuSauzay, Lord of the Rings make-up artist, to learn how to make wounds and scars, ghosts and ghouls or simply make someone look very old and scary – just in time to make your Hallowe’en the scariest ever.

Do you find yourself bursting in to song? Or dream of seeing your name up in lights? Musical in a Weekend (adults 16-plus) on November 28 to 30 will give you the chance to work alongside a team of West End professionals in the creation and performance of a brand new musical, Celebrity, with a public performance on November 20.

For up to date information on bookings and events please visit our website: www.brightondome.org Ticket office: 01273 709709






ANDY Abraham's debut album The Impossible Dream made chart history, selling 176,689 copies in its first week and reaching platinum status.

His second album Soul Man took Andy back to his roots and captured hits from inspirational legends incuding Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and Smokey Robinson.

The new album Even If is a big step both musically and professionally with all the songs co-written by him and the album is released on his own independent label B-Line Records. Andy has worked with a host of world-class producers on the album including Absolute (Gary Barlow, Girls Aloud, Will Young) and Dominic Owen (Lil Kim).

Andy is at the Hove Centre on December 18. Tickets, priced at £22.50 (Ground Floor) and £20 (Balcony), are now on sale on 0844 847 1515 (subject to booking fee) or direct from the venue ox office. Show starts: 8pm.



THE KOOKS have announced a winter tour, this will round up a great year for the band, with their second album Konk being number 1 in April this year.

Konk was recorded over a six week period at the tail-end of 2007 in Ray Davies' Konk Studios in North London, plus a week at Los Angeles' Sound Factory. The sessions once again united the group with esteemed producer Tony Hoffer (Beck/Air/The Fratellis).

The Kooks are at the Brighton Centre on November 29. Tickets priced £21.50 are on sale from 0844 847 1515 (subject to booking fee) or direct from the venue box office.



COUNTING Crows are a global phenomenon with a host of multiple platinum albums and Top 10 chart placings worldwide.

Counting Crows have been a huge presence in the music world; from initial hit single Mr.Jones to 2005’s Accidentally In Love from the Shrek 2 soundtrack which saw the Californian band perform at the Academy Awards.

New album Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings, released on March 24, saw the band split their musical personality with the rock Saturday Nights produced by Gil Norton (of Pixies and Foo Fighters fame) whilst the more acoustic Sunday Mornings portion sees Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron and Wine) at the desk.

See the band at the Brighton Centre on December 11 with special guests Ben Folds and Mêlée. Tickets are priced £33.50 from 0844 847 1515 (subject to booking fee) or direct from the venue box office.



ONCE in a cave, lived a big ugly monster, perhaps the most horrible and ugly monster in the world.

No living thing can stand to be in his presence. But the monster is not ugly on the inside; he's just lonely. So he decides to build some friends out of stone, but stones can't stand the force of the monster's smile, and they all shatter …except for one.

From the book by author/illustrator Chris Wormell and featuring the voice of Rik Mayall as the narrator, comes the story of a monster whose inner beauty will touch your heart....

The Big Ugly Monster and the Little Stone Rabbit is at the Hove Centre on October 31 at 2pm.

Tickets priced at £12.50 (Adult) and £10.50 (Child) are now on sale on 0844 847 1515 (subject to booking fee) or direct from the venue box office.

To find out more, go to www.BigUglyMonster.co.uk






A NEW production of Romeo and Juliet by the Royal Shakespeare Company is among the highlights of the autumn season at Theatre Royal Brighton.

Also among the programme of premières, openings and sparkling new productions is comedy Noises Off, with star cast to be announced, and the perfect musical treat for all the family, The Wizard of Oz.

Other new productions include the world première of Round The Horne, with scripts created by Barry Took and Marty Feldman, never seen before on stage, and English Touring Theatre’s thrilling new production of Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.

Drama highlights continue with Alan Bennett’s rarely performed comedy Enjoy, starring Alison Steadman (Abigail’s Party, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Gavin and Stacey) and Agatha Christie’s best-selling thriller of all time And Then There Were None.

For lovers of musicals, there’s All the Fun of the Fair, Daydream Believer and Brighton Theatre Group’s The Full Monty.

A new action-packed production set against the backdrop of a fairground, All the Fun of the Fair stars the legendary singer and songwriter David Essex and is underscored by a helter-skelter of his hits, including Winter’s Tale, Gonna Make You A Star and Rock On.

Daydream Believer, the world première of the new musical celebrating all things Monkees, features all The Monkees greatest hits; I’m A Believer, Last Train to Clarksville and, of course, Hey, Hey We’re The Monkees.

The spellbinding and magical Le Grand Cirque visits Brighton for the very first time. Described as “the next generation of Cirque du Soleil”, this electrifying production of breathtaking and heart-pounding spectacle is guaranteed to astound you and take you to the edge of your seat.

Also suitable for all the family and direct from the Royal Albert Hall, English National Ballet return to Theatre Royal Brighton to present Angelina’s Star Performance, a magical introduction to ballet for young children.

For even younger children, there’s teatime mayhem from The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Everyone’s favourite and much-loved tiger is brought vividly to life on stage in a wonderfully entertaining show for children aged three and up.

Other one night performance highlights include comedy from star of BBC1’s Not Going Out, Tim Vine, respected comedienne Rhona Cameron and Dillie Keane in My Brilliant Divorce.

There’s also great musical performances from Boy George in concert and, direct from the USA, The Magic of Motown, featuring the music of The Temptations, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson and many more.

Tickets from the box office on 08700 606650, groups hotline 08700 606617, access bookings on 0871 297 5477 or go to www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal





MULTIPLE Grammy award winner and prolific US singer/songwriter Michael Bolton will visit The Brighton Centre on October 6 in support of his forthcoming studio album.

In a career spanning nearly 40 years, Michael Bolton’s achievements to date include selling 53 million albums, eight top 10 albums, two number one singles on the Billboard charts, and accolades from both the American Music and Grammy Awards.

He has enjoyed success as both a performer and songwriter, with musical stars as diverse as Kiss, Barbra Streisand and Bob Dylan all having performed Bolton-penned hits.

Michael Bolton has also shared stages with musical royalty including BB King, the great Ray Charles and realising another ambition of performing with the Three Tenors, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo and the late Luciano Pavarotti.

After all of these years, Michael Bolton retains a loyal fanbase and still thrives on performing live. He is especially looking forward to returning to the UK, where his fans are particularly important to him.

"I love coming to Britain," he says. "British audiences are wonderful – I find them warm and affectionate and particularly vocal when they join in and sing, which is so great."

He is currently working on a new album with Corrine Bailey Rae’s producer, Steve Chrisanthou.

Seated tickets available only for his show at 6.30pm. Tickets are £38.50 from from 0844 847 1515 (subject to booking fee) or direct from the box office.







PAUL Merton, Dirty Pretty Things and leading British Indian dance company Angika feature in a sizzling new season at Brighton Dome.

This summer brings together a spectacular collection of dance events, including Angika on September 26 at 8pm, who mark their 10th anniversary with Cypher, a celebration of the ancient classical dance form of Bharata Natyam.

Cypher explores the multi-layered relationship between Bharata Natyam, mathematics, geometry and the idea of codes or “cyphers”.

On September 2 at 8pm Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company will also be celebrating their 10th anniversary with the world première of Yesterday, a new creative collaboration with Brighton Dome.

This will be a retrospective piece exploring concepts of past and present weaving new choreographic material with some breath-taking duets, striking solos and iconic moments selected from the company's repertoire.

There will be a series of six workshop sessions led by Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company dancers from June 3 to July 15 from 7-9pm in the Pavilion Theatre, which are open to all with no previous experience necessary (ages 15-plus).

Also Angika Dance are offering workshops and educational programmes for young people of secondary school-age and above.

On July 18 at 8pm is a rare chance to see The Dying Song, which is a dramatised concert that explores the romantic song form of Batithak Thumri through voice, movement and live music.

Taking its inspiration from a Marathi novella by C.T.Khanolkar, this story about courtesans has been translated and directed for this special performance by Sangeeta Dutta.

Host of BBC2’s cult comedy hit Never Mind the Buzzcocks and holder of two British Comedy Awards, Simon Amstell will be in the Concert Hall on June 13 at 8pm.

On June 16 is Paul Merton’s Impro Chums in a live off-the-cuff comedy extravaganza.

Clare Summerskill on July 6 comes to Brighton Dome with her brand new show packed with hilarious stand up, original songs and finely drawn characters.

If you think you would be as good if not better than these names then on June 1, from 11am to 4pm there’s a One-day Stand-up Comedy Workshop hosted by Tony Allen (ages 18-plus).

From June 23 to 26 the National Theatre’s New Connections scheme makes a welcome return to the Pavilion Theatre for its sixth consecutive year.

For the younger audience, Gomito Productions presents The Sun Dragon on July 26, which tells the story of Jacob, a boy who dreams of flying (ages four-plus).

On September 19 and 20 the Pigeon is back in Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay up Late! Written by Mo Millems and adapted for the stage by Adam Bampton-Smith, this charming and hilarious show features original music and lots of audience participation (ages three plus).

The music season kicks off with Dirty Pretty Things on May 28, closely followed by The Wedding Present on May 30 and The Pigeon Detectives on June 3.

Plus old favourites David Essex on June 4, The Zombies and The Yardbirds on June 14, An Evening with Pentangle on July 2 with Robert Cray Band on July 11 and k.d. Lang on August 3.

World music comes from Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara on June 19, featuring a mix of blues and Afican styles.They are joined for this special concert by Adam’s long-time percussionist Salah Dawson Miller.

On July 2 Luciano, known as simply The Messenger, will bring his blend of R&B-tinged reggae to the Pavilion Theatre with support from Brighton’s own reggae outfit Andy Baron and Concrete Johnson, aka Rebel Control.

On July 9 get your dancing shoes ready as LA-33 – Bogota’s 12-piece urban salsa orchestra, bring a mix of salsa, bolero, boogaloo and latin jazz to the Corn Exchange for one night only, the evening will kick off with a DJ set from Karma Bar’s very own Salsa Pimente.

Brighton’s newest festival takes over the Pavilion Theatre from June 13 to 29, with Soundwaves Festival 2008 – Music Outside the Box.

The wide range of events include installions and concerts featuring Apartment House, Sarah Nicolls, Rolf Hind, Juliet Fraser & Alan Thomas plus The Duke Quartet.

For classical music lovers, there are two Brighton Festival Chorus celebrating their 40th Anniversary on June 27, with an unforgettable Birthday Gala Prom which will include a Last Night of the Proms-style finale, where you can sing along to Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia.

Another treat for classical fans is the Summer Organ Spectacular on June 29, hosted by Michael Maine, featuring theatre organist Simon Glenhill and seven-piece dance band The New Foxtrot Serenaders, who will recreate the golden era of roaring ’20s and swinging ’30s.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is offering every secondary school in Brighton and Hove the opportunity to work with its musicians during 2008/09. The launch of this programme takes place at the first concert of the new season in the Brighton Dome on November 8.

They’re thrilling, they’re cheeky and they’re Australia’s premier circus ensemble. For three decades Circus Oz have been entertaining audiences with their mix of daredevil skills, mind-boggling stunts and tongue-in-cheek humour and now Brighton Dome’s Concert Hall will host their 30th celebration show from September 24 to 26 at 7.30pm.

The fascinating array of workshops at Brighton Dome continues this season with favourites such as Trapeze for Adults, both beginners and improvers, and Circus Skills With Trickswop (age seven to 14 years) running for six sessions between June 3 and July 15. Sing-a-long-Sandwich for Adults also returns for six sessions from June 10 to July 15.

For the over 60s, Old Stagers sees Brian Clark holding auditions in order to find 12 people with whom he can devise, rehearse and perform an exclusive new production. The first audition will take place on June 3.

Brighton Dome Rockshops with Herbie Flowers and Friends returns with two three-day workshops from August 4 to 8, with a final performance Big Night Out on August 8 at 7pm in the Corn Exchange.

Call the ticket office on 01273 709709 or there is online booking and audio clips at www.brightondome.org
















JOOLS Holland was born in 1958 with an unusual musical gift: at the age of eight, he could play the piano fluently by ear and by the time he reached his early teens he was proficient and confident enough to be appearing regularly in many of the pubs in south east London and the East End Docks.

At the age of 15, Jools was introduced to Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford and together they formed Squeeze; shortly afterwards they were joined by Gilson Lavis, who had already played with, among others, BB King, Chuck Berry and Max Wall, and who drums with Jools to this day.

Up The Junction and Cool For Cats made Squeeze's success meteoric and their popularity rapidly extended to America where they toured extensively and eventually carried out a stadium tour including performances at Madison Square Garden.

In 1987, Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band, comprising entirely of himself and Gilson Lavis.

This has gradually metamorphosed into the current 18-piece Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, which currently consists of a pianist, a drummer, two female vocals, one guitar, one bass guitar, one organ, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, one baritone saxophone, three trumpets and four trombones.

Jools and the Rhythm and Blues Orchestra now plays an average of 100 live shows a year, touring Britain and the world to audiences of 500,000.

Jools is at the Brighton Centre on December 6. Tickets are £31.50 from 0844 847 1515 (subject to booking fee) or direct from the box office.



SINCE bursting onto the scene in the summer of 2003, aged just 18, no one, least of all Katie Melua, would have predicted what the next few years would hold for the teenager.

Now 23, Katie has sold almost 8 million albums and, in 2006, she became the best-selling British female in the world.

Awarded the Golden Camera Award for International Pop Artist at the start of 2007, Katie was presented with the Echo Award for International Female Artist in March, 2007.

October, 2007, saw the release of Katie’s third album Pictures, subsequently knocking Bruce Springsteen off the top spot of Billboard’s pan-European chart in November.

Katie concluded 2007 with the release of What A Wonderful World, a duet with the late Eva Cassidy, as a fundraiser for the British Red Cross and which topped the British charts.

Starting her tour in October, 2008, Katie will perform at arenas throughout the UK, before concluding at the Brighton Centre on November 11.

Tickets are £32.50 from 0844 847 1515 (subject to booking fee) or direct from the box office.






FOR 40 years The Moody Blues have been one of the most enduring and consistent groups in the world.

Their remarkable music has enthralled generations of fans since the 1960s and their recorded legacy contains some of the most important and ground-breaking work in the history of popular music, having generated over 55 million sales throughout the world.

The Moody Blues – Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge – carry on their magical musical legacy from generation to generation, year after year.

A legendary band with an enviable repertoire and reputation, The Moody Blues remain one of the top-grossing album and touring bands in existence.

Graeme Edge explains the continuing popularity of the group thus: "It’s all about the music. The music is everything for us. We’ve always put the music before anything else, and that’s why I think we’ve been able to endure for so long."

Tickets for the show, on October 11, are £32.50, from 0844 847 1515 (subject to booking fee) or direct from the box office.



 








THEY may be two different men but there is only one Mighty Boosh.

Following the sell-out success of their debut live tour, “the funniest comedy double-act in Britain” (NME), Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt, return to the live stage with their heady brew of music and comedy.

Vince Noir and Howard Moon will be joined on stage by a host of characters from their hit TV show.

See Naboo the Enigma and his cape of wonder. Bollo; the ape that dreamt he was a man. Discover what mysteries lurk in the Hitcher’s hat.

Marvel at the Moon as he soothes with his idiot wisdom. Expect punks and yetis, and monsters with elbow patches, in a psychedelic meteorite of music and mayhem.

Catch them at the Brighton Centre from November 12 to 15. Tickets are £25 from 08448 471 515 or go to www.brightoncentre.co.uk 










 
 
 

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