WHAT’SON Search for top talent
TALENTED locals are competing for honours in the live final of Fylde’s Got Talent at the Lowther Pavilion in Lytham on Sunday from 7.30pm. There’s £500 worth of Debenhams vouchers for the winner, £300 of vouchers for the runner-up and £200 of vouchers for the third place. Organiser, Fylde Coun Janine Owen, said: “The auditions were fantastic and it’s a shame we couldn’t put more acts through to the next round. The standard of the acts selected for the call backs was extremely high and we can be certain of a fantastic night on Sunday. “We are urging people to come along to the final and support the contestants – and if this year is a success we hope to run the competition again next year.” Judges for the evening will be The Mayor of Fylde, Coun Susan Fazackerley, Helen Bowden, station director of Radio Wave, Robin Duke, entertainment editor of The Gazette and Cameron Scott, local entertainment agent/promoter. Tickets for the final are on sale now at £8 and £7 (concessions). The show is in aid of the Mayor of Fylde’s Charities with all proceeds being donated to Trinity Hospice, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary and the Snowdrop Centre.
Children on stage
Y
oung local talent is lined up for the latest series of Schools Alive! concerts at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Monday to Thursday. The concerts are part of a unique strategic partnership between Blackpool Music Service and the Grand Theatre. Every evening from 7pm the Grand stage will be filled with music, song, dance and comedy from budding young performers in the annual extravaganza. This year there will be a minimum of eight contrasting themed performances every evening with a total of 37 acts from Blackpool schools performing. Band and orchestral contributions will also include instrumentalists from most of the remaining Blackpool schools. In total, in excess of 90 per cent of Blackpool schools will be represented, which is a record for this annual initiative. Andrew White, Blackpool’s music adviser, said: “Schools Alive provides a unique opportunity for pupils of all abilities to perform at one of the country’s finest theatres. The theatre’s professional staff support is superb and ensures all performers are given specific advice and encouragement to ensure they perform with confidence.” Schools taking part in Schools Alive! for 2009 are: Monday February 9: Park School Band, St John’s C of E, Revoe Primary, St Nicholas C of E Primary; Palatine High; St
George’s C of E High; Kincraig Primary; Baines Endowed C of E Primary; Montgomery High Tuesday February 10: BMS Basso, Devonshire Primary, Woodlands School, Westcliff Primary, Boundary Primary, BMS Basso Jazz; Beacon Hill High; St Mary’s Catholic College; Bispham High Wednesday February 11: BMS First Beat Orchestra; Marton Primary; Stanley Primary; Mereside Primary; Moor Park Primary; Norbreck Primary; Claremont Primary School; Christ the King Catholic Primary; Roseacre Primary Thursday February 12: Layton Primary; St Teresa’s Catholic Primary; Our Lady of the Assumption; Collegiate High; BMS Youth Choir; St Kentigern’s Catholic Primary; St Bernadette’s Catholic; Anchorsholme Primary; Holy Family Catholic Primary; BMS Concert Band. Tickets are adults £4, children £ 3.50, over 60s £3.50. Call the Grand Theatre box office on (01253) 290190, visit www. blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call at the new Grand Theatre sales information point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre for bookings and further information. Discounted parking is available at the secure West Street Car Park. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the box office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for £2.50.
IN CONCERT: A scene from last year’s show
Wicked wit from a master
JOIN Opera della Luna at Blackpool Grand Theatre tomorrow for a glittering new look at Johann Strauss’ wickedly witty operetta Die Fledermaus. Die Fledermaus tells the light-hearted tale of Dr Falke who was once left to wander home drunk and dressed as a bat by his friend Gabriel von Eisenstein. To exact his revenge, he arranges for Eisenstein to attend an extremely risqué party at the home of the outrageous Russian aristocrat, Prince Orlofsky. There Eisenstein seduces a mysterious Hungarian countess, who is in fact his own wife in disguise. Opera della Luna has earned itself a matchless reputation as the country’s best small-scale operetta company, touring the country for over 10 years with acclaimed productions of Gilbert and Sullivan and Offenbach.
The company now turns its hand to the “waltz king” Johann Strauss and his most sparkling of scores. This saucy new production is directed – with his own new translation – by Jeff Clarke, and designed by Gabriella Csanyi-Wills: the team that created the company’s recent acclaimed production of The Mikado. Die Fledermaus from Opera della Luna is at Blackpool Grand Theatre for just one night at 7.30pm. Tickets from £14. Concessions and Friends of the Grand discount are available. Book your seats by calling the Grand Theatre box office on (01253) 290190, online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk or at the new Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.
ROUND&ABOUT
● 6
life! LOGON www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
Back once again to bring soul to the British public The Blues Brothers are wreaking havoc across the UK and the fabulous Blues Brother Party comes to Preston Charter Theatre from Monday to Saturday. Grab your pork-pie hats, put on your shades and get ready for a high-energy, feel-good musical guaranteed to get you on your feet and dancing in the aisles. The Blues Brothers Party storms through hit after hit – from tender ballads to rip-roaring party pieces
including In The Midnight Hour, Sweet Home Chicago, Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, Try A Little Tenderness, Mustang Sally, Gimme Some Lovin’ and many more. Live music is played by the Magnificent Seven Blues Band whilst the Sensational Sisters of Soul provide that last essential ingredient to raise the temperature and guarantee it's the hottest show around. Tickets range from £15.50 to £22.50 and concessions are available. For more information