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THEATRE REVIEW: Miss Saigon School Edition @ Grand Opera House, Belfast Claude-Michel Schonbeg and Alain Bloubil’s rambunctious, ballad-powered 1989 musical is based on the heartrending Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells a tragic tale of doomed romance between an idealistic Asian woman and her American lover.Only here the action is reclocated to 1970s Saigon during the Vietnam War when the city’s nightclubs and bars are teeming with go-go dancers, prostitues and colourful hustlers mixing with American troops who seek entertainment and abandon from the gruelling daily strife. The beauty queens in sequins and shorts are out in force as the Marines mingle with the locals and the promise of sex, liquor and all manner of gaudy vulgarity means the heat is on in downtown Saigon.This Summer Youth Production at Belfast’s Grand Opera House features a cast of outstandingly talented teens who bring the well-worn story - one of Broadway’s … [Read more...] about Theatrical flair abounds in youth production of Broadway classic

Stars of In the Night Garden Live are coming to the Embassy Theatre, in Skegness, next week with a brand new show. Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends will be at the Grand Parade venue on Wednesday, July 24 and Thursday, July 25. In the Night Garden Live is the perfect musical theatre experience for the entire family as the characters are brought to life using-costumes and magical puppets.The 2019 tour will also see a world first, as the 2.5 metre long Pinky Ponk Air Orb soars over the heads of In the Night Garden Live audiences – the first time an effect like this has been used in theatres anywhere in the UK! Director Will Tuckett said: “Children know these characters so well, much better than we ever might think. Taking your child to see them live on stage is an extraordinary experience.”To book tickets, visit www.embassytheatre.co.uk or call 01754 474100. Rip it Up with Blue’s Lee Ryan at Scunthorpe music show … [Read more...] about In the Night Garden Live is coming to Skegness

Blue singer Lee Ryan will be part of the sensational Seventies musical cast at Scunthorpe this autumn. Lee is joining the cast for the ‘Rip It Up The 70s’ UK tour, which stops off at The Baths Hall on Tuesday, October 8.Also performing as part of the jukebox theatre show are Louis Smith MBE, Rachel Stevens and Melody Thornton.The Blue singer-songwriter and actor will be adding his vocal talents to the latest incarnation of the smash hit show, which is bringing the soundtrack of arguably popular music’s greatest decade to life in a feast of song and dance to audiences nationwide.Lee, Louis, Rachel and Melody will sing and dance to all-time classics from the era that brought the sounds of disco, glam rock, punk, funk, new wave and reggae into the mainstream, alongside bold fashion statements such as hot pants, flares, crop tops, jumpsuits, platform shoes, maxi-dresses and tartan suits!After making his name as a member of the multi-platinum selling British boy band … [Read more...] about Rip it Up with Blue’s Lee Ryan at Scunthorpe music show

A garage sale trail will take place in Mumby next Saturday, July 27. The event, organised by Eileen Gilburd, sees holidaymakers follow the balloons around the village to hunt out bargains. The church, On Your Marks museum and the Red Lion pub will all be serving refreshments. They will also be providing toilet facilities for visitors. Gardens open for Brinkhill fundraiser … [Read more...] about Garage sale trail is coming to Mumby

It's now five years since I first wrote the story for the Kent Messenger saying that a new music festival would be pitching up in Mote Park in Maidstone.It sounded interesting, and had a great name, the Ramblin' Man Fair, and the line-up was good. But who then would have predicted it would become such a mecca for rock fans every summer, many coming from across Europe, to pitch their tents and stay for three nights of heavy rock?It's all about the music, for organisers and festivalgoers and the line-ups have had some huge names. This year's opening night had one stage - the second will be unleashed today - with acts including The Lazys, Kris Barras and headliners The Darkness.As things started to get going, former cage fighter Kris Barras took to the stage to show those assembled why he's been asked back three years in a row.The Lazys had kicked things off, and The Wildhearts played a rocking set and gave it their all as the rain started to fall, though no-one seemed to mind.When The … [Read more...] about A rocking first night for Ramblin’ Man Fair