Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre, which recently celebrated its second anniversary as an independent charitable trust, has unveiled a host of top entertainment for the New Year with big names in music & comedy plus family entertainment, orchestral music and a return of live opera, all in addition to its popular Live Screenings and Big Screen Cinema.

The new season begins with a special celebration of the legendary performer Johnny Cash on Sun 9 Feb as singer/songwriter Clive John recreates the essence of a live Cash show. Including evocative images from Johnny Cash’s life the concert is the only one of its kind to be endorsed and recognised by the Cash family.

Saltmine Theatre Company makes a welcome return on Thurs 13 with their premiere tour of Amazing Grace. Told through word, folk song and physical theatre the production tells the remarkable life story of John Newton’s transformation from Slave Ship Captain to church leader and his authorship of the renowned hymn. C Beebies favourite Sid brings his own show to the Marina on Wed 19. Perfect for children aged 3 – 7 Sid’s Show brings an interactive event crammed full of games, poems & magic.

The World renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra commences an unprecedented tenth year of residency at the Marina on Fri 21 with international soloist Freddy Kempf. Celebrating Beethoven, the concert includes the great composers Egmont Overture, Triple Concerto & Piano Concerto No.5, Emperor. Freddy joins celebrated violinist Clio Gould alongside RPO principal Cellist Tim Gill.

The greatest hits of Motown are performed in How Sweet It Is on Sun 23 featuring hits from legendary artistes such as Lionel Ritchie, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Jackson Five & many more combined with live band and slick choreography.

Julian Lloyd Webber presents A Tale Of Two Cellos on Sun March 2 alongside his wife Jiaxin. This band new concert performance feature a World premiere performance of Duets for Cellos with piano, as well as featuring music from great composers including Monteverdi, Holst, Rachmaninov, Schuman & many more.

Often referred to as the Psychic to the Stars, Sally Morgan brings her own brand of investigational entertainment to the Marina on Wed 5. Adult comedy is presented on Thurs 6 with the outrageous Roy Chubby Brown. Politically incorrect as ever, one of the World’s most outrageous comedians is too rude for TV and his live shows are the only place to catch the flamboyant character.

More comedy is presented on Fri 7 as Benidorm’s Chrissie Rock, Leah Bell & Pat Dunn present Dirty Dusting. A heart-warming comedy which tells the story of three elderly cleaning ladies who set up their own adult chat line. Featuring some of the best hits of the 50s & 60s, The Twist on Sat March 8 stars Chris & Suzi Madin. Set in an American Diner, Big Tony Tremendo, the vibrant compere delivers a show packed with authentic music and tributes accompanied by a live band and plenty of laughter.

He was Britain’s very own Elvis and thirty years after his untimely death, Colin Gold stars as Billy Fury on Fri 14 in Halfway To Paradise. Accompanied by Billy’s own band, Fury’s Tornados, the show features his timeless twenty-nine hit records alongside rare on screen footage of Billy himself.

X Factor winner Joe McElderry makes his Marina debut on Sat March 15. Winner of Pop Star to Opera Star, Joe has already sold in excess of two million records. Mon 17 sees the first UK tour of Canadian super-group, The Tenors. A fabulous opportunity to catch a group that are in enormous demand over five continents here in Lowestoft. Step back in time on Thurs March 20 with a special matinee performance of Magnificent Musical Hall. Featuring a glittering galaxy of stars from the BBC’s Good Old Days, set to delight and entertain. With 2014 also being a special centenary, the company includes a selection of great songs which kept the home fires burning.

More top comedy is presented at the Marina on Sat 22 as Jason Manford presents his brand new tour of First World Problems, featuring a wealth of comedy anecdotes, misunderstandings and audience interaction, all delivered with Jason’s likeable charm and teasingly intelligent wit.

Dublin’s no.1 award winning music and dance show, The Irish House Party on Sun 23 features all Ireland champion musicians combined with Irish Dancing and comedy in a traditional night of entertainment.

911 were one of only five music acts to score ten consecutive Top Ten hits during the nineties and following their huge success on ITV show the Reunion, the boys visit the Marina for the first time on Mon 24 in their Illuminate The Hits & More Tour. Elkie Brooks is simply one of the most popular and successful singers the UK has ever produced. Celebrating over five decades her concert on Thurs March 27 showcases her amazing vocal ability which has led to numerous hits, million selling albums and many awards.

More nostalgia from the 50s & 60s on Sat 29 with Jukebox & Bobby Sox. The fourteen strong cast take the audience through an extraordinary era as they recreate classics from stars including Dusty Springfield, The Everly Brothers Connie Francis, Elvis Cliff Richard, Petula Clark & many more. Rounding off a busy March, Sun 30 brings the brilliant comedy talent of Jon Richardson with his new tour entitled Nidiot. Star of Eight Out Of Ten Cats, the perennial singleton and misanthrope is determined to become a more easy going person for the sake of his friends and his future health. Come and find out whether or not a leopard can change its spots, or if they are doomed to be angry forever not to have been given a more uniform and symmetrical fur pattern.

During April, highlights include The Elvis Years, starring Mario Kombou from the West End hit Jailhouse Rock on Fri 4 & Sat 5, Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall on Sun 6, The European Union Chamber Orchestra on Fri 11 featuring soloist Crispian Steele-Perkins, Pop Factor – a special interactive concert on April 10, Adult comedy 51 Shades Of Maggie from Sat 12, Dave Benson Phillips’ Children’s Variety Adventure from April 15, Magic A Kind Of Queen return on April 26.

May brings the return of the Lady Boys Of Bangkok on Thurs 1 and international opera with the celebrated Chisinau National Opera & Orchestra performing Puccini’s La Boheme on Fri 2 & Verdi’s Aida on Sat 3. Other May highlights include the 50^th anniversary celebration of the music of Simon & Garfunkel on Sun 4, Matinee favourite Bless ‘Em All on Thurs 8, Singer & impressionist Joe Longthorne on Sat 10, the Solid Silver 60s show featuring Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, Chris Farlowe, Chris Montez & Wayne Fontana all backed by Vanity Fare on Sun 11, Madness frontman Suggs presents his life story in an hilarious yet moving evening of chat and music on Wed 14, Olivier Award winning play Morecambe on May 15 & Rock’n’Roll favourites Showaddywaddy on Fri 16.

In addition to live entertainment, the Marina is also presenting top films on its Big Screen with a host of major releases lined up over the coming months including Golden Globe winning 12 Years A Slave, Disney’s Frozen and Tinkerbell & The Pirate Fairy, Last Vegas, The Wolf Of Wall Street, Mandela: The Long Walk To Freedom and many more.

The Marina is also continuing its hugely popular live screenings of ballet, opera and drama including the forthcoming National Theatre Live production of Warhorse, plus ballet, Giselle & opera, Don Giovani from the Royal Opera House and Shakespeare’s Coriolanus live from the Donmar Warehouse.

Many of the live events at the Marina Theatre include concessionary rates for over 60s and under 16’s and admission to the Marina Cinema costs £5 with concessions priced at £4.50. All film tickets purchased at least 24 hours in advance cost just £4.

Prices for Live & Encore screenings cost £15 with concessions at £12.50.

For more information or to book forthcoming Marina Theatre events, please call 01502 533200 or check online at  www.marinatheatre.co.uk

 

The Marina Theatre Trust is a registered charity and has operated the Marina Theatre in partnership with Waveney District Council since December 2011. 

 

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