Maintaining its long tradition of variety performance, City Varieties Music Hall has announced a host of new music and comedy acts for 2014. The venue often presents performances six nights a week on its world-famous stage, with shows including comedy, drama and music.
The Regeneration Tour (Monday 31st March, 8.00pm)
The Radiophonic Workshop – pioneers of electronica – emerge from the studio this spring for their first live tour, ending at City Varieties. In a first for the legendary composers – famed for their landmark sound design and musical themes for Doctor Who, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Timewatch, Newsround and Quatermass – the Workshop recreate some of their best known music live alongside new tracks from their forthcoming album of collaborations.
The Regeneration Tour features original BBC Radiophonic Workshop personnel Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Peter Howell and Dr Dick Mills with Mark Ayres as MD and ex-Prodigy sideman Kieron Pepper joining on drums. The show includes classic footage from the archives along with tributes to Workshop composers Delia Derbyshire and John Baker. Always at the forefront of technology and sound design, selected live appearances will be augmented with 3D Surround Sound using state-of-the art spatial technology to immerse the audience.
Brian Conley (Tuesday 3 June 2014, 7.30pm)
With a career spinning three decades and over five million ticket sales, Brian Conley returns to the stage in this all-new show. Showcasing his many talents, there’ll be singing, laughs and much, much more from one of Britain’s most loved performers.
Sing-a-Long Sounds of Wartime (Monday 22 September 2014, 2.30pm)
Commemorating the 75th & 100th Anniversary of World War 2 and World War 1, Sounds of War Time is at tribute to the people and the heroes of Great Britain. Featuring music from the Glen Miller Orchestra, Dame Vera Lynn, George Formby and Max Bygraves who all gave up there time to entertain the troops around Europe, helping to keep up their morale.
Beverley Craven (Wednesday 24th September, 7.30pm)
BRIT-Award winner Beverley Craven will be embarking on an extensive UK tour supporting the release of her brand new album, Change of Heart, being launched in summer 2014. Beverley is looking forward to performing her new songs live alongside timeless classics Promise Me, Holding On, Woman To Woman, Love Scenes and many more. With a witty narrative and unforgettable melodies, her poignant sentiments will leave you with a warm glow of nostalgia, or maybe even the odd tear.
Mark Watson: Flaws (Wednesday 1st October, 7.30pm)
Mark Watson is a regular at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and can regularly be seen on television; including appearances on Mock The Week, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Would I Lie to You?
Heather Peace – The Thin Line Tour (Monday 27th October, 7.30pm)
Waterloo Road actress Heather Peace will tour the UK with her full band in support of her second album, The Thin Line, which will be released in June. The album puts Heather’s rich vocals in the spotlight over hook-filled piano melodies, euphoric drum beats and soaring strings drenched in 60’s soul. Heather recently announced that she was quitting her role in Waterloo Road as popular teacher Nikki Boston to concentrate on finishing the album and touring. She said: “I’ve been two-jobs-Peace for almost 20 years and it felt like time to put my music first. I’m really proud of this album, it’s exactly how I wanted it to sound.” Heather’s debut album, Fairytales, reached number seven in the Independent UK charts in 2012. She’s performed four sell out UK tours and has just returned from her second sell out tour of Australia.
Showaddywaddy (Friday 31st October 2014, 7.30pm)
Formed in the 1970s in Leicester, the band recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. Since then they have sold more than 20 million records and have toured the world. Their dynamic live show features all of their biggest hits, many of which reached number one in the pop charts of Europe. Audiences can expect Under The Moon of Love, Three Steps to Heaven, Hey Rock & Roll, When, Blue Moon, Pretty Little Angel Eyes and many more.
Henning Wehn – Eins, Zwei, Diy (Thursday 6th – Friday 7th November, 8.00pm)
After more than a decade in Britain, the German Comedy Ambassador has ‘groan’ to like puns…. though he still couldn’t eat a whole one. As Henning’s assimilation is not yet complete he hasn’t lost his sense of Westphalian wonderment at the foibles of British society. Why does everybody want to be owned by a house? What’s wrong with having the Euro? And why hold society and government responsible for personal underachievement? You’ve only got yourself to blame for not being born into a better social class. Expect an evening-long crash course in personal accountability and have a right old laugh at the same time! Henning’s recent TV and radio appearances include 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Would I Lie To You, QI, The Unbelievable Truth and The Now Show.
Julia Fordham – Porcelain 25 (Wednesday 12th November 2014, 8.00pm)
Following two sell-out UK tours in 2013, Julia Fordham returns to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her landmark album Porcelain. Julia will be performing the album in its entirety, accompanied by her long-time pianist and album producer Grant Mitchell. ‘To this day, people still stop me in the street and sing songs from Porcelain to me’ says Julia. ‘They share stories about how much the album connected with them. So it’s an honour to perform the whole album for the faithful audience that has supported me all these years.’
For more information and to book tickets call box office on 0113 243 0808 or visit cityvarieties.co.uk.
