Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story - Wolverhampton Grand

Rating *****

Buddy Holly is seen as one of the most important players in the history of music, his contribution to rock and rock changed the face of pop music forever. For someone with such an important roll to play Buddy was only working professionally for less than two years and died at age 22 in a tragic plane crash between concerts that also took the lives of Richie Valens and The Big Bopper.

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, which is on it's 25th anniversary tour follows Buddy's rise to fame and his career until his death, in the original and most successful jukebox musical.

Buddy is performed by an incredibly talented cast led by Glen Joseph as Buddy with Jason Blackwater as the Big Bopper and Will Pearce as Valens. It includes all the Buddy favourites such as Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Why Do Fools Fall In Love and Chantilly Lace.

Buddy once said that he did not wish to be rich, he just wanted people to remember his name. As this play shows the Buddy legacy means that his name will never be forgotten.

Ladies In Retirement

SHIRLEY ANNE FIELD AND KAREN FORD TO STAR IN LADIES IN RETIREMENT

Directed by Ian Dickens, the first of 3 plays in the season -  LADIES IN RETIREMENT stars the iconic film and television actress Shirley Anne Field with respected stage and television actresses Karen Ford (Grange Hill) and Érin Geraghty (Angels). The ladies are at the theatre from Tues 3 – Sat 7 June.

LADIES IN RETIREMENT is a nail-biting Victorian melodrama with thrilling twists and a taut plot-line that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.

Set in the 1880’s, based on a famous murder that took place in a remote Country house, LADIES IN RETIREMENT promises an evening filled with suspense, eerie mystery and excitement. 

Shirley Anne Field last appeared during the 2012 season in a production of THE CEMETARY CLUB and Karen Ford in last year’s A MURDER HAS BEEN ARRANGED. Érin Geraghty’s TV appearances include The Bill and Last Of The Summer Wine.

Individual play tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01902 42 92 12 or online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk. Subscription packages for all three plays priced at £49.50 per person.

Red Card to Domestic Violence

As football fever starts to sweep the nation the Haven Wolverhampton gives Domestic Abuse a RED CARD this World Cup.

With the 2014 World Cup imminent The Haven Wolverhampton has launched a campaign to encourage people not to tolerate Domestic Violence of any nature and to use its 24x7 helpline should they experience domestic violence or abuse.

The World Cup final matches are scheduled to take place between 12th June and 13th July when pubs and bars will be allowed to stay open for longer to accommodate for the time-delay during matches in the host country, Brazil.  With longer opening hours come longer drinking times and alcohol-fuelled violence increases.  Situations get out of control and before too long, violence takes place – very often with children being witness or being caught up in the crossfire.

It is believed that sporting tournaments and events add to the increase in Domestic Violence regardless of the outcome, win or lose.  During high profile football matches and tournaments there is an increase in the number of calls made to police and helplines from people who suffer Domestic Violence.  Research suggests that during the 2010 World Cup, Domestic Violence rose by 29% when England lost out to Germany in a 4-1 defeat.  With this in mind, Wolverhampton based Domestic Violence charity The Haven is asking people to consider their actions and not be a part of this statistic and seek help if needed.

Hayley Edwards Marketing and PR Officer at The Haven said “Domestic violence already affects 1 in 4 women within the UK and numerous reports have been published that point to a further increase during high profile sporting events.  This campaign is intended to raise awareness to people that win, lose or draw, there is no excuse for violence and taking frustrations out on partners.  Our helpline is there for people at all times if they feel they are in a vulnerable state.”

The Haven Wolverhampton operates a 24x7 helpline to people across the city and urges people affected by Domestic Violence not tolerate the abuse but instead contact them for advice and support.

Sister Act - Wolverhampton Grand

Performed by West Bromwich Operatic Society

Rating ****

If you're going to see this expecting to see a stage version of the film, you'll be disappointed. However it was such an amazing show and I forgot that this was an amatuer production. I was honestly surprised at how many people seemed to be disappointed that it wasn't a remake of the jukebox musical missing how good it was in both its own right and the production.

Local mother of two Tasheka Coe, who is known to many from the 2010 series Over the Rainbow where hopefuls auditioned for Andrew Lloyd-Webber's version of The Wizard of Oz, plays nun on the run Deloris Van Cartier.

Despite Curtis, and his henchmen Joey and Pablo being the baddies they got a lot of laughs and cheers.

Nicholas Sullivan’s depiction of Monsignor O’Hara was brilliantly funny, with a performance that could be straight out of your favourite comedy.

‘Sweaty’ Eddie was very sweet and lovable and you really felt for him during "I Could Be That Guy"

The choir's transformation from tone deaf to beautiful singers was done very well, it's never easy for someone who can sing to sing badly.

Well done WBOS can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Brian Conley Headlines New Season At The Grand!

BRIAN CONLEY HEADLINES SENSATIONAL WINTER SEASON FOR 2015

New Shows On Sale: Friends Of The Grand: Friday 9 May

General Public: Thursday 15  May at 10am

• Brian Conley stars as “The Greatest Showman On Earth” in blockbuster musical Barnum.
• The legend of Michael Jackson lives on in Thriller Live.
• Shaun Williamson stars in the madcap comedy that’s taken the theatre world by storm, One Man Two Guvnors.
• Seven time Olivier award winning play The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time arrives as part of its first ever UK tour.
• English Touring Theatre presents the RSC production of the riotously funny A Mad World my Masters.
• Relive the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age as Top Hat graces the Grand Theatre stage hot on the heels of winning Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards 2013.
• Worldwide smash-hit Dirty Dancing explodes onto the Grand Theatre stage for a sensational three week run.
• Arthur Miller’s powerful 1950’s New York tale A View From The Bridge promises to electrify and enthral theatregoers in 2015.

     

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is proud to announce that stage and screen favourite Brian Conley will take to the city’s stage in blockbuster musical Barnum from (Tues 27 – Sat 31 Jan). This stage spectacular is just one of a host exciting new titles confirmed to visit the Grand this winter as the 120^th anniversary celebrations continue.

Musical Highlights:

Celebrating the unforgettable talent of Michael Jackson Thriller Live (Tue 11- Sat 15 Nov) is a non-stop song and dance extravaganza featuring the King of Pops greatest hits.

Brain Conley stars as the irrepressible Phineas T. Barnum in the spectacular Barnum (Tues 27 – Sat 31 Jan). Follow the rise of the larger than life showman, from his humble beginnings to his status as show business legend in this classic crowd pleaser.

Also on sale are, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Mon 19 – Sat 24 May), which returns to Wolverhampton after topping the feel-good chart with Black Country audiences back in April 2011 and feel-good hit Happy Days (Tues 10 – Sat 14 June), a musical adaptation of the TV favourite, starring Emmerdale heartthrob Ben Freeman as ‘The Fonz’, former Sugababe Heidi Range as Pinky Tuscadero and 80s pop-icon Cheryl Baker as Mrs Cunningham.

Inspired by the life of rock legend Marc Bolan, brand new rock n’ roll musical 20^th Century Boy (Mon 30 June – Sat 5 July) explodes onto the stage 40 years after the star’s tragic death. Packed with all T Rex’s 70’s hit this glorious story is a celebration of Glam Rock at its colourful best.

Direct from the its multi award winning West End success Top Hat (Tue 21 Oct –Sat 1 Nov) brings the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and the glorious tap-dancing magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to the stage in one of the greatest dance musicals of all time.

Family Shows:

There’s plenty of family fun to be had at the Grand in the coming months. Younger children can help Old MacDonald (Sun 15 June) find his farmyard friends that appear to have all gone missing. The whole family can help cartoon’s favourite canine Scooby Doo solve a spooky riddle that’s got even the Sphinx puzzled, in Scooby Doo – The Mystery of the Pyramid (Thur 17 – Sun 20 July), and don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with some very large creatures in the puppet-tastic Dinosaur Zoo (Thur 23 –Sat 25 Oct).

Drama & Comedy Highlights:

From the exhilarating to the eloquent, the Grand plays host to the ‘beautiful, ingenious and deeply felt production’ of the seven times Oilvier Award winning National Theatre production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time (Mon 16 – Sat 21 Feb). Arriving at the Grand as part of its first ever nationwide tour this thrilling story of an exceptional young boy is not to be missed!

London’s Soho provides the setting as glamour rubs against filth in A Mad World My Masters (Thurs 26 - Sat 28 Feb), a riotously funny adult themed production from the English Touring Theatre and The RSC.

Also from the National Theatre the Grand presents the multi award winning One Man Two Guvnors (Mon 16 – Sat 21 Mar). Starring Shaun Williamson and Emma Barton in this side splitting tale of one man trying his hardest just to make a little extra money.

Set in 1950’s New York Arthur Miller’s dark and passionate tale A View From The Bridge (Tues 24 – Sat 28 Mar) crackles with raw emotion and remains one of the great classics of our time.

Still Booking: The Summer Play Season returns with murder, mystery and plot twists aplenty in the nail biting Ladies In Retirement (Tues 3 - Sat 7 June), chilling Design For Murder (Tues 17 – Sat 21 June) and nerve shredding Carmilla (Tues 8 – Sat 12 July).

Marking the centenary of the First World War Regeneration (Tue 4 – Sat 8 Nov) is a compassionate look at war and its devastating effects. This new dramatisation of the Booker nominated novel is adapted to the stage by Olivier award winning playwright Nicholas Wright and serves as a powerful anthem for the youth of The First World War.

Temperatures are set to soar as six out of work steel workers prepare to go The Full Monty (Mon 24-Sat 29 Nov). Featuring songs from the much loved film this very British play tells the hilarious and at times heartbreaking story of a city on the dole.

Dance, Opera and Amateur Shows

The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company visit Wolverhampton to coincide with the 120^th Anniversary of the laying of the Grand Theatre’s Foundation Stone on June 28^th 1894 with performances of The Pirates of Penzance (Tues 24-Wed 25 June), Iolanthe (Thur 26- Fri 27) and The Mikado (Sat 28 June).

Get ready for the time of your life when worldwide smash-hit Dirty Dancing (Tues 23 Sept – Sat 11 Oct) explodes onto the Grand Theatre stage for a sensational three week run.

English Youth Ballet return with their sumptuous presentation of the spellbinding Sleeping Beauty (Fri 19 – Sat 20 Sept) along with the highly acclaimed Russian State Ballet of Siberia performing two of ballet’s most loved stories The Nutcracker (Sun 8 Feb)  and Swan Lake (Mon 9 Feb).

As well as the traditional the Grand will play host to the truly original as Flash Mob (Tue 15 – Wed 16 July) bursts onto the stage in one of the most dynamic and innovative dance shows you will ever see! Starring Strictly Come Dancing professionals Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer.

This winter see two of the Midlands’s best loved amateur companies performing two of musical theatres most loved productions, as South Staffs Musical Theatre Companies stage Lionel Bart’s sensational adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver! (Tues 14 – Sat 18 Oct) and Bilston Operatic Company bring to life J.M. Barrie’s classic tale Peter Pan (Tue 18 –Sat 22 Nov).

One Night Concerts

Newly announced one night shows include the very best in live music. The Magic Of Motown (Sun 13 July), dances into Wolverhampton with an all new show celebrating the very best music from the Motor City, followed by Soul Legends (Sat 13 Sept), a non-stop hit parade of soul songs from the Sixties to the present day. One of the nation’s favourite entertainers Jane McDonald (Wed 17 Sept) returns to Wolverhampton to play a show- stopping set of her favourite songs, while Joan Armatrading (Sun 26 Oct) celebrates her last major tour with a very special solo performance at the Grand.

The New Year begins with a bang, with the return of Grand Theatre favourites, Roll Out The Barrel (Wed 21 Jan), Abbamania (Fri 23 Jan),  The Sensational 60’s Experience (Sat 24 Jan) and Halfway To Paradise – The Billy Fury Story (Fri 19 – Sat 20 Mar) promising to get theatregoers dancing in the aisles. There’s also a special Grand Theatre 120^th anniversary performance by the Glee Choirs, Grand Ambition and Grand Circle who take a musical journey from music hall to modern day in Glee, I’m Still Standing (Tues 21 Mar).

8 out of 10 Cats’ Jon Richardson and Mock The Week’s Josh Widdicombe lead an all-star cast for The Hilarity Charity Gala (Thurs 29 May) compered by comedy legend Daniel Kitson, while Jasper Carrott and Bev Bevan star in Stand Up & Rock (Tue 16 Sept), which promises to leave audiences both laughing and rocking the night away, and fresh from winning the most successful ever series of Celebrity Big Brother, comedian Jim Davidson (Mon 12 Jan) returns with his most outrageous and insightful stand up show ever!

And prepare to be truly amazed as the team behind the jaw dropping production Shaolin Warriors, return with more dazzling feats of martial arts expertise in Immortal Chi (Mon 16 June).

Pantomime

With panto legend Julian Clary starring as Dandini and Hollyoaks star Joe Tracini as the loveable Buttons, the Grand Theatre’s festive spectacular Cinderella (Sat 6 Dec – Sun 18 Jan) will be packed with fun and laughter once again.

Public on sale date for newly announced shows: Thursday 15^th May

For tickets, please contact the Box Office on 01902 42 92 12 or visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk

Local Roller team get ready for Match Mayhem

Local Roller team get ready for Match Mayhem

After a successful series of matches over the past few months, local based Wolverhampton Honour Rollers are getting match ready for another bout of roller mayhem in the Heartland Series.

On Saturday 17th May, The Wolverhampton Honour Rollers will be hosting Day 3 of the Heartland Series for the North East Division at Chase Leisure Centre, Stafford Road, Cannock.  Doors will open at 3pm with the first bout being battled out by Rebellion Roller Derby and Nottingham Roller Girls.  Wolverhampton Honour Rollers  ‘A’ team will take to the track in the second bout pitting their wits against Northampton based Vendetta Vixons.  Tickets can be purchased at http://whrollers.bigcartel.com and cost just £7.  

As part of their commitment to their chosen charity money raised on the day through sales and collections will be donated to The Haven Wolverhampton – a service aimed at people who are vulnerable and are experiencing Domestic Violence and Abuse.

Nicola Sephton spokeswoman for The Wolverhampton Honour Rollers said “We are really proud to be part of the Heartlands Series – it’s a great community to be part of.  We are committed to the sport and enjoy every minute of it. The passion that our A Team show at every match is reflected in our new B (Beater) Team that we have coming through the ranks and who are demonstrating some real talent.”

Hayley Edwards Marketing and PR at The Haven said “The Honour Rollers are great and are really showing their commitment to The Haven.  We will be there on the day with materials and talking to people about the work that we do across the city and how funds raised go a long way in helping those affected by Domestic Abuse and Violence.

For anyone interested in learning more about the Wolverhampton Honour Rollers they can visit the website at www.wolverhamptonhonourrollers.co.uk.