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A STAR STUDDED JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD
PAVILIONS ANNOUNCE SPRING SEASON
A global gathering of stars are on the cards this season as Plymouth Pavilions launch an exciting and very diverse Spring line-up.
Superstar Bjork and children’s favourite LazyTown fly the flag for Iceland, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia for Eastern Europe and a welcome return to the city for the Buena Vista Social Club™ who add a little Cuban spice to the season. Across the Atlantic there’s rock offerings from original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson and Canadian ‘Sk8tr Boi’ Avril Lavigne and from down under there’s The Australian Pink Floyd Show. From closer to home this Spring has some of the UK’s best home grown talent including Mark Ronson, Editors, Chris Rea and even a visit from local girl Dawn French & her partner in crime Jennifer Saunders.
The Spring Season officially gets underway on Friday 18 January with a return sell out visit from James Blunt, whose debut album ‘Back to Bedlem’ has now sold over 11 million worldwide and whose follow-up album ‘All the Lost Souls’ has notched up another No.1 hit. In complete contrast, performing in the UK for the first time in 2 years, Korn arrive on Tuesday 22 with their metal sound positioning the band as one of the most popular to emerge during the post-grunge era.
Star of ‘Most Haunted’ and one of the UK’s favourite spirit mediums, Derek Acorah kicks off February on Friday 1, whilst the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts 2008 return on Thursday 7 to another sell out crowd who are ready to witness Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor defend his title. Winner of ITV ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Paul Potts has brought Opera to a new audience and heads to the city on Friday 8, then its back to the ballrooms of 19th century Vienna with the Johann Strauss Gala on Saturday 9 and superstar DJ and producer Mark Ronson on Thursday 14.
It’s time to grab your mates, put on your 70s gear and head to the biggest party in town on Sunday 17 with Bjőrn Again. Then, after conquering America, Natasha Bedingfield arrives on Tuesday 19 to remind us why she’s considered a bold and beautiful home-grown answer to US divas Christina and P!nk.
Continuing with the Plymouth Orchestral Concert Series programme, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Bjarte Engeset recreates masterpieces from Rossini, Paganni and Beethoven on Thursday 21. T
he BSO are followed by a brand new event called Explore the Outdoors which launches over the weekend of 23 & 24. Explore the Outdoors is just the ticket for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors, with a massive interactive exhibition and an impressive list of exhibitors, demonstrations, guest speakers, not to mention Europe’s highest indoor climbing wall, this event is sure not to disappoint. The month of February comes to a climax with 2 of the world’s most famous ballets, accompanied by a live orchestra, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia return with Cinderella on Wednesday 27 and Swan Lake on Thursday 28.
A major signing for the venue, the Pavilions start the month of March by hosting the BBL Trophy final on Sunday 2, an event that not only confirms the city’s place on the basketball map but also makes them the centre of attention on the British basketball scene.
Following a phenomenally successful 2007, which has included a No.1 album and several landmark festival appearances, Indie rock outfit the Editors perform on Friday 7, then after a brief absence, Chris Rea returns to the city with a newly formed quintet the Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes on Friday 14.
Chris is followed by the hottest girls in pop, the Sugababes who are back on Sunday 16. Buddy Holly’s Official 50th Anniversary Tour brings some good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll to the city on Wednesday 19, then its time to strap on your safety goggles with science's greatest and most volatile show, Brainiac Live! on Friday 21.
Grammy award winner Kelly Clarkson heads to the venue on Saturday 22 and finally for March The Westcountry Wedding Show provides a one stop shop for brides and their families on Sunday 30.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary comedy duo French & Saunders provide the first comedy offering of the season on Tuesday 1 & Wednesday 2 April. The touring show will feature a mixture of classic French & Saunders, blended with new material and characters which will bring it right up to date. In what will become a fantastic year for a whole host of children’s shows, LazyTown Live! is the first of 4 and heads to the city over the weekend of Saturday 5 & Sunday 6. Sporting a pointy moustache, a blue and white Lycra tracksuit with a matching Smurf-like hat, everybody’s favourite superhero ‘Sportacus’, will once again be battling against the world’s laziest villain, ‘Robbie Rotten’.
Following a record-breaking run at London's Palladium, the £5 million stage spectacular 'Sinatra' runs from Tuesday 8 to Sunday 13 for 8 amazing performances. Ground-breaking creative use of cutting-edge technology puts Sinatra centre stage, larger than life on multiple moving screens accompanied by a brilliant company of dancers and singers and supported by a live orchestra. Following their 2007 sell out performance, world famous musicians Guajiro Mirabal, Cachaito López, Manuel Galban and Aguaje Ramos, The Buena Vista Social Club™ return with a little Cuban flavour on Friday 18. Then, one of the most anticipated gigs of the year so far, Bjőrk brings her ‘Volta’ 2008 tour to the city on Tuesday 22.
Respected by many as one of the best visual live shows you will ever witness, The Australian Pink Floyd Show returns to the Pavilions with breathtaking note-for-note extended extracts from Floyd's seminal 1979 classic double album The Wall on Wednesday 23. Another favourite, the annual King George’s Fund for Sailors concert, accompanied by H.M. Royal Marines, promises to provide a thrilling presentation on Thursday 24, whilst David Essex is back with his vast back catalogue of hits to round off the month on Friday 25.
Award winning stand-up comedian, Dara O Briain arrives on Saturday 10 May, followed by the return of children’s favourite The Chuckle Brothers with their brand new show ‘Indiana Chuckles and the Kingdom of the Mythical Sulk’ on Saturday 24. Concluding the month of May, Leeds rock popsters the Pigeon Detectives fly into town on Thursday 29 performing hits including 'Romantic Type, 'I'm Not Sorry' and 'Take Her Back' from their No.3 selling album ‘Wait For Me’.
American skater rock teen, turned sophisticated rock diva, Avril Lavigne lands in the city on Sunday 1 June. Having sold close to 30 million albums worldwide and the enormous success of her third studio album and second consecutive US No.1 debut, ‘Best Damn Thing’, Avril is sure to live up to all the hype and give one of the hottest gigs of the year. The Russian State Opera of Siberia accompanied by a live orchestra present Madame Butterfly on Wednesday 4 and La Boheme on Thursday 5. For over 20 years The Comedy Store Players have been entertaining audiences in London and around the world with their unique brand of improvisational comedy and now one of its most popular stars, Paul Merton brings his ‘Impro Chums’ Lee Simpson, Richard Vranch and Suki Webster out on the road for some of the best comedy around on Sunday 15.
Then there’s another one for the children when Bob the Builder Live heads to town on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19. Join Bob and his friends Scoop the digger, Lofty the crane, Dizzy the cement mixer, Muck the dumper and of course his good friend Wendy with his brand new show ‘Spud’s Big Mess’. After shooting to fame in the BBC One show ‘How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?’ and performing in ‘The Sound of Music’ for the past 12 months, Connie Fisher is about to head out onto the road and to Plymouth on Saturday 21. Performing songs chosen for her by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the concert will be an unforgettable evening with a leading lady at the very top of her game.
Always guaranteed a fun night out, The Best Blues Brothers Show in the World – EVER! returns on Sunday 22, then featuring a cast of International Championship Dancers, prepare to Tango and Cha Cha out the Spring Season with Simply Ballroom on Saturday 28 June 2008.
Director of Programming & Marketing at Plymouth Pavilions, Alvin Hargreaves said: “We have a huge Spring season here at the Pavilions, the Arena is just packed with an incredibly diverse range of shows and events that should help with the post-Christmas blues.
Once again proving that it’s not all about rock ‘n’ pop we have a feast of classical delights beginning with the return of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and a series of event presented by Raymond Gubbay: the first is a lavish Strauss Gala with orchestra and dancers in period costume. This is quickly followed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia presenting the most romantic ballets: Cinderella and then Swan Lake. Later in the season we also look forward to presenting two classic operas in Madame Butterfly and La Boheme, all with full company and live orchestras.
Rock and pop concerts are too many to mention but include return visits of Chris Rea, Sugababes and James Blunt. Absolute top draw acts include the inimitable Bjork, mega talented Mark Ronson, Editors, Kelly Clarkson and ‘Sk8tr Boi’ Avril Lavigne over from her native Canada for a UK tour and first time visit to Plymouth in June.
Demonstrating the Arena’s versatility we have a host of non-performance events from Live Premier League Darts to the CAMRA Plymouth Beer Festival with Chas ‘n’ Dave.
The Pavilions’ Events’ team have pulled out all the stops to create a very exciting brand new event for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Whether you’re a total adrenalin junky, or you simply appreciate the moors, or our stunning coastline, Explore the Outdoors is a massive interactive exhibition with an impressive list of exhibitors, demonstrations, guest speakers, competitions and kids activities (big kids included!).
Comedy is here in abundance with French & Saunders, Dara O Briain and Paul Merton’s Impro Chums. The kids are well catered for with a fully staged production of LazyTown Live – claiming to be the funniest and freshest children’s show around. After hugely successful shows last year, the Wiggles and the Chuckle Brothers also return again this Spring along with Bob the Builder.
DIARY OF EVENTS
January
Friday 18 - James Blunt SOLD OUT
Tuesday 22 - Korn
February
Friday 1 - Derek Acorah
Thursday 7 - Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts SOLD OUT
Friday 8 - Paul Potts
Saturday 9 - Johann Strauss Gala
Thursday 14 - Mark Ronson
Sunday 17 - Bjőrn Again
Tuesday 19 - Natasha Bedingfield
Thursday 21 - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 - Explore the Outdoors
Wednesday 27 - Russian State Ballet of Siberia presents Cinderella
Thursday 28 - Russian State Ballet of Siberia presents Swan Lake
March
Sunday 2 - BBL Trophy Final
Friday 7 - Editors
Friday 14 - Chris Rea
Sunday 16 - Sugababes
Wednesday 19 - Buddy Holly and the Cricketers
Friday 21 - Braniac Live!
Saturday 22 - Kelly Clarkson
Sunday 30 - Westcountry Wedding Show
April
Tuesday 1 – Wednesday 2 - French & Saunders
Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 - LazyTown Live!
Tuesday 8 – Sunday 1 - Sinatra
Friday 18 - Buena Vista Social Club™
Tuesday 22 - Bjőrk
Wednesday 23 - The Australian Pink Floyd Show
Thursday 24 - King George’s Fund for Sailors – HM Royal Marines
Friday 25 - David Essex
May
Saturday 10 - Dara O Briain
Saturday 24 - The Chuckle Brothers
Thursday 29 - Pigeon Detectives
June
Sunday 1 - Avril Lavigne
Wednesday 4 - Russian State Opera of Siberia presents Madam Butterfly
Thursday 5 - Russian State Opera of Siberia presents La Boheme
Sunday 15 - Paul Merton’s Impro Chumbs
Wednesday 18 – Thursday 19 - Bob the Builder Live – Spud’s Big Mess
Saturday 21 - Andrew Lloyd Webber presents Connie Fisher in Concert
Sunday 22 - The Best Blues Brothers Show in the World – EVER!
Saturday 28 - Simply Ballroom
BACK
Plymouth Pavilions Announce Spring Season 2008
PAVILIONS ANNOUNCE SPRING SEASON
A global gathering of stars are on the cards this season as Plymouth Pavilions launch an exciting and very diverse Spring line-up.
Superstar Bjork and children’s favourite LazyTown fly the flag for Iceland, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia for Eastern Europe and a welcome return to the city for the Buena Vista Social Club™ who add a little Cuban spice to the season. Across the Atlantic there’s rock offerings from original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson and Canadian ‘Sk8tr Boi’ Avril Lavigne and from down under there’s The Australian Pink Floyd Show. From closer to home this Spring has some of the UK’s best home grown talent including Mark Ronson, Editors, Chris Rea and even a visit from local girl Dawn French & her partner in crime Jennifer Saunders.
The Spring Season officially gets underway on Friday 18 January with a return sell out visit from James Blunt, whose debut album ‘Back to Bedlem’ has now sold over 11 million worldwide and whose follow-up album ‘All the Lost Souls’ has notched up another No.1 hit. In complete contrast, performing in the UK for the first time in 2 years, Korn arrive on Tuesday 22 with their metal sound positioning the band as one of the most popular to emerge during the post-grunge era.
Star of ‘Most Haunted’ and one of the UK’s favourite spirit mediums, Derek Acorah kicks off February on Friday 1, whilst the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts 2008 return on Thursday 7 to another sell out crowd who are ready to witness Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor defend his title. Winner of ITV ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Paul Potts has brought Opera to a new audience and heads to the city on Friday 8, then its back to the ballrooms of 19th century Vienna with the Johann Strauss Gala on Saturday 9 and superstar DJ and producer Mark Ronson on Thursday 14.
It’s time to grab your mates, put on your 70s gear and head to the biggest party in town on Sunday 17 with Bjőrn Again. Then, after conquering America, Natasha Bedingfield arrives on Tuesday 19 to remind us why she’s considered a bold and beautiful home-grown answer to US divas Christina and P!nk.
Continuing with the Plymouth Orchestral Concert Series programme, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Bjarte Engeset recreates masterpieces from Rossini, Paganni and Beethoven on Thursday 21. T
he BSO are followed by a brand new event called Explore the Outdoors which launches over the weekend of 23 & 24. Explore the Outdoors is just the ticket for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors, with a massive interactive exhibition and an impressive list of exhibitors, demonstrations, guest speakers, not to mention Europe’s highest indoor climbing wall, this event is sure not to disappoint. The month of February comes to a climax with 2 of the world’s most famous ballets, accompanied by a live orchestra, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia return with Cinderella on Wednesday 27 and Swan Lake on Thursday 28.
A major signing for the venue, the Pavilions start the month of March by hosting the BBL Trophy final on Sunday 2, an event that not only confirms the city’s place on the basketball map but also makes them the centre of attention on the British basketball scene.
Following a phenomenally successful 2007, which has included a No.1 album and several landmark festival appearances, Indie rock outfit the Editors perform on Friday 7, then after a brief absence, Chris Rea returns to the city with a newly formed quintet the Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes on Friday 14.
Chris is followed by the hottest girls in pop, the Sugababes who are back on Sunday 16. Buddy Holly’s Official 50th Anniversary Tour brings some good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll to the city on Wednesday 19, then its time to strap on your safety goggles with science's greatest and most volatile show, Brainiac Live! on Friday 21.
Grammy award winner Kelly Clarkson heads to the venue on Saturday 22 and finally for March The Westcountry Wedding Show provides a one stop shop for brides and their families on Sunday 30.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary comedy duo French & Saunders provide the first comedy offering of the season on Tuesday 1 & Wednesday 2 April. The touring show will feature a mixture of classic French & Saunders, blended with new material and characters which will bring it right up to date. In what will become a fantastic year for a whole host of children’s shows, LazyTown Live! is the first of 4 and heads to the city over the weekend of Saturday 5 & Sunday 6. Sporting a pointy moustache, a blue and white Lycra tracksuit with a matching Smurf-like hat, everybody’s favourite superhero ‘Sportacus’, will once again be battling against the world’s laziest villain, ‘Robbie Rotten’.
Following a record-breaking run at London's Palladium, the £5 million stage spectacular 'Sinatra' runs from Tuesday 8 to Sunday 13 for 8 amazing performances. Ground-breaking creative use of cutting-edge technology puts Sinatra centre stage, larger than life on multiple moving screens accompanied by a brilliant company of dancers and singers and supported by a live orchestra. Following their 2007 sell out performance, world famous musicians Guajiro Mirabal, Cachaito López, Manuel Galban and Aguaje Ramos, The Buena Vista Social Club™ return with a little Cuban flavour on Friday 18. Then, one of the most anticipated gigs of the year so far, Bjőrk brings her ‘Volta’ 2008 tour to the city on Tuesday 22.
Respected by many as one of the best visual live shows you will ever witness, The Australian Pink Floyd Show returns to the Pavilions with breathtaking note-for-note extended extracts from Floyd's seminal 1979 classic double album The Wall on Wednesday 23. Another favourite, the annual King George’s Fund for Sailors concert, accompanied by H.M. Royal Marines, promises to provide a thrilling presentation on Thursday 24, whilst David Essex is back with his vast back catalogue of hits to round off the month on Friday 25.
Award winning stand-up comedian, Dara O Briain arrives on Saturday 10 May, followed by the return of children’s favourite The Chuckle Brothers with their brand new show ‘Indiana Chuckles and the Kingdom of the Mythical Sulk’ on Saturday 24. Concluding the month of May, Leeds rock popsters the Pigeon Detectives fly into town on Thursday 29 performing hits including 'Romantic Type, 'I'm Not Sorry' and 'Take Her Back' from their No.3 selling album ‘Wait For Me’.
American skater rock teen, turned sophisticated rock diva, Avril Lavigne lands in the city on Sunday 1 June. Having sold close to 30 million albums worldwide and the enormous success of her third studio album and second consecutive US No.1 debut, ‘Best Damn Thing’, Avril is sure to live up to all the hype and give one of the hottest gigs of the year. The Russian State Opera of Siberia accompanied by a live orchestra present Madame Butterfly on Wednesday 4 and La Boheme on Thursday 5. For over 20 years The Comedy Store Players have been entertaining audiences in London and around the world with their unique brand of improvisational comedy and now one of its most popular stars, Paul Merton brings his ‘Impro Chums’ Lee Simpson, Richard Vranch and Suki Webster out on the road for some of the best comedy around on Sunday 15.
Then there’s another one for the children when Bob the Builder Live heads to town on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19. Join Bob and his friends Scoop the digger, Lofty the crane, Dizzy the cement mixer, Muck the dumper and of course his good friend Wendy with his brand new show ‘Spud’s Big Mess’. After shooting to fame in the BBC One show ‘How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?’ and performing in ‘The Sound of Music’ for the past 12 months, Connie Fisher is about to head out onto the road and to Plymouth on Saturday 21. Performing songs chosen for her by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the concert will be an unforgettable evening with a leading lady at the very top of her game.
Always guaranteed a fun night out, The Best Blues Brothers Show in the World – EVER! returns on Sunday 22, then featuring a cast of International Championship Dancers, prepare to Tango and Cha Cha out the Spring Season with Simply Ballroom on Saturday 28 June 2008.
Director of Programming & Marketing at Plymouth Pavilions, Alvin Hargreaves said: “We have a huge Spring season here at the Pavilions, the Arena is just packed with an incredibly diverse range of shows and events that should help with the post-Christmas blues.
Once again proving that it’s not all about rock ‘n’ pop we have a feast of classical delights beginning with the return of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and a series of event presented by Raymond Gubbay: the first is a lavish Strauss Gala with orchestra and dancers in period costume. This is quickly followed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia presenting the most romantic ballets: Cinderella and then Swan Lake. Later in the season we also look forward to presenting two classic operas in Madame Butterfly and La Boheme, all with full company and live orchestras.
Rock and pop concerts are too many to mention but include return visits of Chris Rea, Sugababes and James Blunt. Absolute top draw acts include the inimitable Bjork, mega talented Mark Ronson, Editors, Kelly Clarkson and ‘Sk8tr Boi’ Avril Lavigne over from her native Canada for a UK tour and first time visit to Plymouth in June.
Demonstrating the Arena’s versatility we have a host of non-performance events from Live Premier League Darts to the CAMRA Plymouth Beer Festival with Chas ‘n’ Dave.
The Pavilions’ Events’ team have pulled out all the stops to create a very exciting brand new event for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Whether you’re a total adrenalin junky, or you simply appreciate the moors, or our stunning coastline, Explore the Outdoors is a massive interactive exhibition with an impressive list of exhibitors, demonstrations, guest speakers, competitions and kids activities (big kids included!).
Comedy is here in abundance with French & Saunders, Dara O Briain and Paul Merton’s Impro Chums. The kids are well catered for with a fully staged production of LazyTown Live – claiming to be the funniest and freshest children’s show around. After hugely successful shows last year, the Wiggles and the Chuckle Brothers also return again this Spring along with Bob the Builder.
Friday 18 - James Blunt SOLD OUT
Tuesday 22 - Korn
Friday 1 - Derek Acorah
Thursday 7 - Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts SOLD OUT
Friday 8 - Paul Potts
Saturday 9 - Johann Strauss Gala
Thursday 14 - Mark Ronson
Sunday 17 - Bjőrn Again
Tuesday 19 - Natasha Bedingfield
Thursday 21 - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 - Explore the Outdoors
Wednesday 27 - Russian State Ballet of Siberia presents Cinderella
Thursday 28 - Russian State Ballet of Siberia presents Swan Lake
Sunday 2 - BBL Trophy Final
Friday 7 - Editors
Friday 14 - Chris Rea
Sunday 16 - Sugababes
Wednesday 19 - Buddy Holly and the Cricketers
Friday 21 - Braniac Live!
Saturday 22 - Kelly Clarkson
Sunday 30 - Westcountry Wedding Show
Tuesday 1 – Wednesday 2 - French & Saunders
Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 - LazyTown Live!
Tuesday 8 – Sunday 1 - Sinatra
Friday 18 - Buena Vista Social Club™
Tuesday 22 - Bjőrk
Wednesday 23 - The Australian Pink Floyd Show
Thursday 24 - King George’s Fund for Sailors – HM Royal Marines
Friday 25 - David Essex
Saturday 10 - Dara O Briain
Saturday 24 - The Chuckle Brothers
Thursday 29 - Pigeon Detectives
Sunday 1 - Avril Lavigne
Wednesday 4 - Russian State Opera of Siberia presents Madam Butterfly
Thursday 5 - Russian State Opera of Siberia presents La Boheme
Sunday 15 - Paul Merton’s Impro Chumbs
Wednesday 18 – Thursday 19 - Bob the Builder Live – Spud’s Big Mess
Saturday 21 - Andrew Lloyd Webber presents Connie Fisher in Concert
Sunday 22 - The Best Blues Brothers Show in the World – EVER!
Saturday 28 - Simply Ballroom