Dreamboats and Miniskirts brings the Swinging Sixties back to Liverpool with a performance at the Cavern

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Cast perform at the world-famous Cavern Club during International Beatles Week

60s Rock and Roll spectacular Dreamboats and Miniskirts opened at the Liverpool Empire last night.

The show is here until Saturday, and they couldn’t have picked a better week to Twist and Shout their way into Liverpool.

International Beatles week takes place this week and, to celebrate, the cast performed a number of well-known smash-hit songs from the show at the world famous Cavern Club.

The sequel to the popular Dreamboats and Petticoats which was set in the 1950s, Dreamboats and Miniskirts moves on a decade and to the next period in pop history.

The show is heavily inspired by the advent of the Beatles and the Merseybeat sound, which features heavily throughout the show.

Expect a whole lot of nostalgia, as the show is bursting with hits from the Merseybeat generation including Do You Love Me, Hippy Hippy Shake, Be My Baby, Twist and Shout, Louie Louie, The House of The Rising Sun and many more.

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is happiness guaranteed!

The show plays at the Liverpool Empire until Saturday August 29.

Dreamboats and Miniskirts bringing the swinging 60s back to Liverpool

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Dreamboats and Miniskirts has returned to theatres to showcase the greatest hit songs of the 60s, and is touring the Liverpool Empire Theatre until Saturday August 29.

It is the sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats, which premiered in Bromley in 2009, and became a musical phenomenon having played to more than two million people across the UK. Inspired by Universal’s multi-million selling album series which now boasts seven double compilation albums and a myriad of one off special releases!

It’s 1963 and the Petticoats gang are growing up and facing new challenges. Bobby and Laura’s first single, Dreamboats and Petticoats, went to the top of the charts, but they haven’t been able to repeat that success with any further records. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss – and a baby! And Ray and Donna seem blissfully happy in their professional lives ... but are they really?

The advent of the Beatles and the Merseybeat sound is inspirational. But will it inspire Bobby and Laura to have one more shot at stardom, Norman to “get off the drains” and find that hit parade voice he has longed for, and Ray to realise his ambition and manage a really top pop act?

All will be revealed in a follow up with the same wit, charm, and great songs as Dreamboats and Petticoats.

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesman, Shine on Harvey Moon, Save the Last Dance For Me and of course, Dreamboats and Petticoats, and is produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield in association with Universal Music.

Featuring hit after hit from Twist & Shout to Handy Man to Pretty Woman, One Fine Day and many more, Dreamboats and Miniskirts is happiness guaranteed.

To book tickets for Dreamboats and Miniskirts, click here.

Just one month until the brand new production of The Sound Of Music opens at the Empire

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

From Oz to Austria, a Palladium star brings the hills alive in The Sound Of Music

One of the greatest musicals of all-time returns to the stage in a magnificent new production which plays at the Liverpool Empire from Monday September 14-Saturday September 19 as part of a major national tour.

Playing the iconic role of Maria von Trapp is Danielle Hope, who captured the hearts of the country when she won BBC Television’s Over the Rainbow and made her professional debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Danielle has since played Eponine in Les Misérables in London’s West End and Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Joining the company as Captain von Trapp is much-loved stage and television star Steven Houghton. Well-known for his longstanding television role in London’s Burning, Olivier-Award nominated actor Steven has taken on leading roles in Spend Spend Spend, Blood Brothers, White Christmas, Martin Guerre and Grease and had a Top Ten hit with ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’.

Produced by Bill Kenwright, directed by Martin Connor, choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer, and with musical direction by David Steadman, this wonderfully lavish new staging of the classic musical coincides with the 50th anniversary of the film version, the most successful movie musical in history.

It all began with the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, which inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to create a Broadway musical in 1959. The Sound of Music tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of WWII.

The unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including Edelweiss, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, So Long, Farewell and, of course, the title song The Sound Of Music.

Joining Danielle and Steven are West End stars Jan Hartley (The Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story) as Mother Abbess, and Emma Clifford as Baroness Elsa Schrader, with Howard Samuels as Max, Grace Chapman as Liesl and Luke George as Rolf.

Completing the cast are Lynden Edwards, Philip Day, Zoe Ann Bown, Kate Milner Evans, Martin Dickinson, Lewis Barnshaw, Colin Burnicle, Jessica Daley, Grace Gardner and Katie Shearman.

The Capstone Theatre announce their autumn 2015 programme

Yaron Herman

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: The Capstone Theatre

Celebrating five years of bringing internationally acclaimed artists and performers to Liverpool, The Capstone Theatre is delighted to announce its new Autumn 2015 Season, which boasts a diverse collection of the finest cutting edge jazz, contemporary dance, gripping theatre, and film classics plus the return of the Cornerstone Arts Festival.

The new season commences on Thursday September 24 with the return of the popular Capstone Classics series, which screens a different classic movie each month. The first in the series Salaam-e-Ishq follows six different couples all with one common problem: love. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast, a super-hit musical score and plenty of fun, drama and laughter. This continues on Thursday October 22 with the award-winning Indian comedy Lage Rago Munha Bhai which sees light-hearted gangster Munna Bhai fall for Radio DJ Jhanvi. Along with his partner in crime Circuit, see the lengths Munna will go to in order to win Jhanvi’s heart. Bringing the series to a close on Thursday November 19 is Om Shanti Om a tale of tragedy, betrayal, hope, perseverance and timeless love as Om Prakash Makhija a Bollywood Artiste, and Bollywood actress Shantipriya fight through generations - for their love.

The venue continues to bring the very best offerings from the Jazz and contemporary music scene throughout the season. Starting with one of the brightest talents on the UK music scene, Manchester based trumpeter, composer, arranger and band-leader Matthew Halsall and the Gondwana Orchestra will present music from the new album Into Forever as well as works from When the World Was One and Fletcher Moss Park. After their incredible performance at 2013’s Liverpool International Jazz Festival, Mercury Prize and MOBO Award nominees Roller Trio return on Friday October 23. Propelled to fame in 2012 with their visceral stew of thrashy rifts, tricksy time signatures and rollicking melodies, the trio will be performing tracks from their highly acclaimed second album Fracture.

Audiences can expect uplifting melodic jazz with hypnotic swirling melodies, Afrobeat, township rhythms and gospel-fired hymns with the Philip Clouts Quartet on Friday October 30. Then UK composer, saxophonist and band-leader Julian Argϋelles proves why he is so influential to a new generation of British jazz musicians, when his band come to The Capstone on Wednesday November 4 as part of an extensive UK tour to promote their new album Tetra. Grew Quartet will take listeners on a musical journey on Tuesday November 10 with their music ranging from cool, reflective lyricism, high velocity intensity, through to more playful, jazz influenced melodic and rhythmic areas. World class pianist and composer Yaron Herman completes the season’s jazz line-up on Saturday November 14. Widely regarded as one of the leading musicians of his generation, he brings his unparalleled style of ‘real time composition’ and wild improvisational flare which culminates in a rare music form that is playful, cinematic and stunning.

There is also a superb array of classical concerts from world class musicians including Stephen Hough who performs at The Capstone on Tuesday October 20 in a spellbinding programme of romantic preludes and eludes as part of Rainhill Music Festival. This is followed with the renowned Liverpool String Quartet who present Classical Beatles on Friday November 13. Fall in love again with the Beatles classics as they are expressed in exquisite string quartet and piano arrangements. The leading artists from the British Horn Society Festival perform on Sunday November 15 including Jean-Pierre Dassonville, Timothy Jackson, Roger Montgomery and players from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra with a morning recital and early evening Gala concert. Italian composer Alessandro Stella brings the classical programme to a close with his concert White Sceneries on Thursday December 3 which centres upon contemporary music for solo piano, and draws on elements of minimalism and new simplicity styles as featured in his last two albums The Chain Rules and Midwinter Spring.

Other musical highlights throughout the season include Liverpool Hope’s Sonic Interactions concert on Monday November 2. Now in its sixth edition, it joins forces with the University of Liverpool to showcase new and innovative electroacoustic works from staff and student composers from both institutions.

Then, following the success of his Unity Theatre show last year, Andy Frizell presents a remarkable concert which includes music spanning 30 years and is once again joined by illustrious Theatre Orchestra on Thursday November 12. Finally, Allerton Brass return to The Capstone on Saturday December 12 for their third consecutive festive concert Christmas Crackers featuring a selection of festive music with something for all ages.

Immersion Theatre presents Romeo and Juliet on Wed 14 October for the first in this season’s theatre productions. Boldly relocating the action to 1980’s England this tragic story of forbidden love and bitter rivalry promises to be a gritty, visceral and highly accessible spectacle. Then, on Tuesday October 27, half-way between dance and drama, Sweetshop Productions present I Loved You and I Loved You which tells the true story of gifted composer Morfydd Owen whose life was emotionally complex, yet her art remains rapturous and transporting. I Burn for You, an atmospheric new musical theatre work based on Bram Stokers Dracula comes to the Capstone on Wednesday October 28. Created by composer Ian Wilson the show features renowned Hungarian metal vocalist Attila Csihar in the lead role of the Vampyre.

The Capstone's partner organisation Milapfest also returns this season with a selection of free events delivering a wonderfully diverse celebration of the finest Indian music, dance and culture. Highlights include Sur Sangam on Saturday September 26 with beautiful Indian music from the incredibly skilled sarod player Pandit Ranajit Sengupta, versatile Khayyal siger Shirin Sengupta, virtuoso percussionist Kousic Sen and Rakesh Chauhan. Then Tabla Tarana on Saturday October 31 an Indian percussion concert celebrating the music of one of the UK’s most admired musicians, Kousic Sen, a tabla player whose intense and energetic performances add a new dimension to the traditional concert experience.

2015 marks the fifteenth annual Cornerstone Arts Festival which returns from Friday November 20–Saturday November 28 and as ever brings together music, drama, dance and art in a series of events, performances and workshops featuring world class artists as well as rising talents.

Meet the Grand Dame of anarchic dance in an irreverent and glorious solo show; Liz Aggiss is The English Channel opens the festival on Friday November 20. On Saturday November 21 Fallen Angels Dance Theatre take audiences on a roller-coaster of emotions with Upon Awakening which explores a real life story of adversity on a journey from addiction. Recently selected BBC Music Magazine’s ‘rising star’ pianist Clare Hammond presents an imaginative and enterprising programme with Hände on Monday November 23. The year is 2093 in a world where libraries and books have long been forgotten until Roberta Price is desperate for adventure and to rediscover the power of imagination in Take a Hint Theatre Company’s Tales That Time Forgot on Tuesday November 24. Also that day is Poles Apart, the scorching new comedy written and directed by John Godber which examines the role of the theatre in the life of the working man and the role of the working man in the life of the theatre.

The festival continues on Wednesday November 25 as the Cornerstone Graduate Company present UNIT a collection of interlocking solos, duets and group pieces all centred on the exploration of relationships inspired by superheroes and villains of comic strips. New keyboard sextet Grand Band perform on Wednesday November 25. Featuring six of New York City’s top pianists Vicky Chow, David Friend, Paul Kerekes, Blair McMillen, Lisa Moore, and Isabelle O’Connell this stunning collection of performers create a powerful sonic force. Born of classic Gothic novels and visually inspired by early silent films Tooth and Nail Theatre Company present Parlour Games on Thursday November 26 an inventive, funny, playful and disturbing work of physical theatre. Also that day, actor and art historian Paul O’Keefe recreates John Ruskin’s celebrated lecture as it was first delivered at the Philosophers Hall in Ruskin on Turner. Enjoy an evening of music from around the globe on Friday November 27 with Cornerstone Festival’s Ensembles in Residence featuring the string orchestra Gli Archi del Cherubino, St Paul's Chapel Choir, and the Jazz musicians Craig Hamilton and Sim Flora. Bringing the festival to a close Milapfest presents Ramprapanna Bhattacharya and Kousic Sen on Saturday November 28 with captivating, energetic and vibrant music from the two performers.

Another full and varied programme in what promises to be the most ambitious, diverse and entertaining season to date for Liverpool's International Arts Venue.

Tmesis Theatre Announce A Second Tour Of That’s Amore Including Five North-West Dates

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Tmesis Theatre

Tmesis Theatre have announced plans for a second tour for this Autumn of That’s Amore; it’s all about love: wanting it, having it, keeping it and losing it.

That’s Amore completed a successful UK tour earlier this year, and will now open in five venues across the North-West in Chester, Warrington (part of Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival), Northwich, Ulverston and Liverpool in October this year.

That’s Amore is a hilarious, fast-paced, passionate and emotional piece of physical theatre which explores the vast world and culture of romantic love, from chance encounters to hidden desires, and emotional extremes to the science of romance. The piece discovers the flesh and philosophy behind what makes our hearts beat faster.

Tmesis Theatre’s Elinor Randle will once again take the role of Director of the piece. This production is the first time in the company’s 10-year history that she has not performed in a Tmesis piece.

That’s Amore combines Tmesis’ trademark physicality and an ensemble of performers, with text from long-term collaborator and award-winning writer Chris Fittock, stunning visuals and a combination of popular and original music.

A Unity Commission, the play promises to be one which everyone can relate to. That’s Amore will feature a cast of four: Jennifer Essex, Adam Davies, Eleni Edipidi and Ross McCall.

Audiences can also look forward to the production talents of designer Lois Maskell, lighting designer Beccy Hillam, projection designer Sam Meech, and composer Meike Holzmann to set the scene and showcase the play’s musical and visual setting.

Artistic Director Elinor Randle commented: “After a brilliant reception to the first stage of the tour from audiences everywhere, I'm really excited to take That's Amore out to more national venues. I'm working with four hugely talented performers and a bigger and more visual new direction. The show has an amazing creative team and is a crazy, funny, emotional rollercoaster of a piece, which explores what we all want in the end, to be loved.

“We want audiences to be caught up in the moment, swept away with the excitement, confusion and agony of romance. To recognise how love strips us of our dignity and just how funny it all really is.”

The production will feature songs familiar to most audiences who have been struck by Cupid’s arrow, such as Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart; A-ha’s Take On Me; Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares To You; George Michael’s Careless Whisper, Leonard Cohen’s Take This Waltz and, of course, the title name, That’s Amore by Dean Martin.

The newest addition to Tmesis Theatre’s impressive production repertoire, That’s Amore, joins the list of successful European toured shows, following Tmesis, Memento Mori and Anima, their trilogy on life’s journey, The Dreadful Hours and Wolf Red.

View the That’s Amore promo video at http://tmesistheatre.com/performances/thats-amore/.

David Hasselhoff to tour in a brand new musical

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

The iconic David Hasselhoff is to tour more than 20 theatres and arenas across the UK with the brand new musical Last Night A DJ Saved My Life.

The explosive new production opens with a world premiere at the Blackpool Opera House on October 16 2015 ahead of a major UK tour which will see The Hoff play 68 nights at more than 20 venues over a 13-week tour between October 2015 and February 2016.

The Hoff plays Ross, a hilarious hedonist. He’s Ibiza’s top 80s DJ who doesn’t realise a new decade has dawned, disco is out, and that the club scene is in.

He tries to keep up with the times...with Mandy, his new younger girlfriend (Kim Tiddy, from The Bill and Hollyoaks), but matters are complicated when his teenage daughter Penny (Stephanie Webber from The Voice) arrives to stay. Father and daughter haven’t seen each other for three years, since a messy divorce. No longer a demure school girl, but a wild child who quickly falls for Rik, the holiday rep (Shane Richie Jnr).

It’s the story of two generations colliding, as a badly behaved parent tries to control a wild child teenager! This hilarious hit-fest is also a touching father and daughter drama set against a background of sun, sea, sex, drugs and hits that take us back to the 80s and 90s when we wore denim overalls, girls had hair scrunchies and guys played Nintendo Game Boy. Think Mamma Mia on speed! Friends meets Ibiza Uncovered, with the soundtrack of our lives.

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life will play the Liverpool Empire Theatre from January 19-23 2016.

Roll back the years to the swingin' sixties with the Dreamboats sequel

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Inspired by the seven smash hit multi-million selling albums

Whatever happened to Bobby and Laura and Norman and Sue? Their story continues in Dreamboats and Miniskirts, the sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats.

This summer, Dreamboats and Miniskirts returns to theatres to showcase the greatest hit songs of the 60s. It visits the Liverpool Empire theatre from Monday August 24-Saturday August 29.

It is the sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats, which premiered in Bromley in 2009, and became a musical phenomenon having played to more than two million people across the UK. Inspired by Universal’s multi-million selling album series which now boasts seven double compilation albums and a myriad of one off special releases!

It’s 1963 and the Petticoats gang are growing up and facing new challenges. Bobby and Laura’s first single, Dreamboats and Petticoats, went to the top of the charts, but they haven’t been able to repeat that success with any further records. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss, and a baby! And Ray and Donna seem blissfully happy in their professional lives ... but are they really?

The advent of the Beatles and the Merseybeat sound is inspirational. But will it inspire Bobby and Laura to have one more shot at stardom, Norman to “get off the drains” and find that hit parade voice he has longed for, and Ray to realise his ambition and manage a really top pop act?

All will be revealed in a follow up with the same wit, charm, and great songs as Dreamboats and Petticoats.

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesman, Shine on Harvey Moon, Save the Last Dance For Me and of course, Dreamboats and Petticoats, and is produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield in association with Universal Music.

Featuring hit after hit from Twist & Shout to Handy Man to Pretty Woman, One Fine Day and many more, Dreamboats and Miniskirts is happiness guaranteed.

Comedy capers as The Doppel Gang comes to Liverpool

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: The Lantern Theatre Liverpool

A new comedy play inspired by the legendary Marx Brothers embarks on a nationwide tour this autumn and is stopping off at The Lantern Theatre Liverpool on Saturday September 12. Just Some Theatre Company are the talented young bunch behind The Doppel Gang, a new comedy by Dominic Hedges which will tour 12 venues between September and November.

The Doppel Gang combines the wild wit of iconic comedy giants The Marx Brothers – Groucho, Harpo and Chico – with generous helpings of British humour and humility.

War wages in Europe, while back in Blighty a group of entertainers battle to save a theatre from closure by masquerading as The Marx Brothers.  As the Blitz tears through London, a hopeless theatre manager, Lombard, persuades a desperate double act, Tommy and Cyril and not-so-convincing male impersonator Rachel to join him in an audacious stunt; one last roll of the dice to save his building and boost morale.

The curtain is about to rise, but so are the stakes as an unprecedented series of revelations leads to an exhilarating chain of events. Will anyone believe they are the real Marx Brothers?

Playwright Dominic Hedges commented: “There are so many similarities between our comedy and that of our American cousins. We both think we're hilarious and we both think we're smarter than one another. Groucho Marx's lightning wit vs Eric Morecambe's wry asides for instance. I guess I've tried to pit us up against them, all the while hiding ourselves from the horrible reality of our Second World War surroundings. It's as though the faster we talk, the less life is real.”

Just Some Theatre Company have also set up a Crowd Funder page to assist in their ongoing costs of producing and touring a new piece of work and would welcome your help. If you pledge a £10 donation then you will receive a ticket for the show in a venue of your choice. A donation can be made by clicking on the Crowd Funder link at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-doppel-gang.