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Soap Stars Debra
Stephenson and Steven Pinder are to star in the St Helens Summer
Comedy
HOT off the huge success of
Bouncers - The Remix, Regal Entertainments are delighted to present
Neil Simon's Broadway smash hit, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, as the
latest in a long line of critically acclaimed summer comedies at St
Helens Theatre Royal. Running from 11 June to 14 June 2014, this
irresistible romp is set to be the sauciest show of the summer!
Regal Entertainments have added their own unique twist to the play,
turning it into a 2 hander, and producers are delighted to announce
that renowned celebrity impressionist, Coronation Street and Bad
Girls favourite Debra Stephenson will star in this ambitious
production in not 1 but 3 roles, playing Elaine, Bobbi AND Jeanette
alongside Steven Pinder (Brookside, Crossroads) who takes on the
role of Barney Cashman.
Neil Simon is one of theatre's most revered playwrights, with over
30 plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, he has
received more Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer. As
one of Simon's funniest comedies, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers
chronicles the misadventures of Barney Cashman who is in the throes
of a mid-life crisis, and his sudden desire for passion and
adventure has embarrassing (but hilarious) consequences. When he
makes the decision to join the sexual revolution, the married
seafood restaurateur attempts to seduce Elaine, Bobbi and Jeannette
- 3 very different, but equally eccentric women, in the romantic
setting of his mother's apartment. Each attempt proves to be as
funny, yet as sad as the last, but Barney's attempts to win over the
women are sure to leave the audiences wanting more.
Chantelle Nolan, Theatre Manager said:- "I've always wanted to
bring a Neil Simon piece to the Theatre Royal and now seems like the
perfect time to do it! The Last of the Red Hot Lovers is one of my
favourite plays and is absolutely hilarious; making it the perfect
choice as the latest in a long line of Regal Entertainments' summer
comedies. I couldn't be more thrilled with the cast, Steven is a
superb actor and Debra is one of the most talented and versatile
actresses around today; she's a singer, actress and impressionist
the perfect choice to play 3 very different roles in one show! I
can't wait to get them to get together and see the sparks fly. It's
going to be brilliant!"
Thrust into the limelight at the tender age of 14 with her star turn
on TV's Opportunity Knocks, Debra Stephenson is perhaps best known
for her breakout performance as the psychotic Shell Dockley in the
ITV's smash hit Bad Girls, a performance which earned her
consecutive nominations for Best Actress at the National Television
Awards in 1999 and 2000. She further cemented herself as one of the
nation's best loved actress during her 2 year stint as Frankie
Baldwin in ITV's Coronation Street. Away from television, Debra has
made a name for herself as a singer via her spell on Comic Relief
does Fame Academy, which landed her a recording contract and a debut
album. Debra is also one of the UK's leading impressionist, honing
her craft on stage at stand-up comedy venues including London's
Comedy Store and sketch shows including TV to Go (alongside
Mackenzie Crooks, Hugh Dennis and Pauline McLynn) providing voices
on the iconic Spitting Image and, of course, fronting "The
Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson" alongside Jon
Culshaw.
Steven Pinder became a household
name through his appearance in Crossroads and his long term stint in
the television soap opera Brookside, where he played long standing
cast member Max Farnham from 1990 to its conclusion in 2003. On
stage Steven starred in the musical adaptation of the dance
phenomenon Footloose, alongside Matt Willis, and most recently, he
made a special guest appearance in the BBC soap Doctors, alongside
Shobna Gulati.
Steven and Debra will bring this hilarious comedy to life under the
direction of the Theatre Royal's director of choice, Sylvie Gatrill.
Sylvie is a long term collaborator with Regal Entertainments, having
directed many of their seasonal comedies including last year's
Bouncers: The Remix, The Ciggie Run, The Salon and the record
breaking classic Rita, Sue and Bob too. Outside of the Theatre
Royal, Sylvie is an acclaimed actress herself having had roles in
Bread, Brookside and Emmerdale and has directed critically acclaimed
productions at the Royal Court Theatre Liverpool, including Night
Collar.
Sylvie Gatrill said:- "I've always wanted to direct a Neil
Simon piece and when I read the script for this play, I have to keep
putting it down and composing myself... because it's just so funny!
I've worked with Steven before on Brookside and can honestly say he
is an amazingly talented actor and I can't wait to work with Debra,
she is perfect for the job! This will be something special, the
likes of which we've never done before at the Theatre Royal, I've
not been this excited in a long time!"
The Last of the Red Hot Lovers is side splitting story of
self-discovery and is the must see show of the summer; bringing to
the stage eccentric comedic characters with a hilarious script
written by one of the best. With evening and matinee performances
available, don't miss the chance to be left rolling in the aisles of
the St Helens Theatre Royal.
In short the listing details as as follows:- Regal Entertainments
Ltd. presents:- 'Neil Simon's The Last of the Red Hot Lovers'
It runs from 11 June 2014 to 14 June 2014, nightly at 7.30pm, but on
14 June only, it will be on at 2pm as well.£15.00 – Adult and
Concessions Available. Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box
Office Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Monday
to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm). Alternatively, call:- 01744 756 000
or log on to:-
sthelenstheatreroyal.com.
New funding available for
local groups in St Helens, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral
LOCAL groups and
organisations on Merseyside, who have great ideas to make their
communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply
for funding to turn their ideas into reality. People's Health Trust
has just launched Active Communities in Merseyside; a funding
programme for local people wanting to create fairer places to grow,
live, work and age. Using money raised by HealthFit through The
Health Lottery, People's Health Trust is looking to invest in
projects that support people living in the most disadvantaged
neighbourhoods of St Helens, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral.
Active Communities is a funding programme for not-for-profit groups
with an income of less than £350,000 a year, seeking investment of
between £5,000 and £50,000 for projects lasting up to 2 years. The
projects should take place within a small area for a small group of
people, such as 20 or 30 streets or a couple of villages.
John Hume, Chief Executive, People's Health Trust, says:-
"We're looking to support ideas designed and run by local people
which help create even stronger links and ties within communities.
Whether it's a tenants and residents' mediation group or a computer
skills group for older people, we're interested to hear about it.
Applying couldn't be easier; it's about local people telling us what
would make their local community an even better place grow, live,
work and age. It's an online process with a step by step guide from
start to finish."
The closing date for applications is 1pm, on 04 June 2014 and your
group or organisation can apply for funding by visiting:-
peopleshealthtrust.org.uk.
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Would you like
to be part of the show at the Liverpool Empire?
THIS years annual 2 week
Stage Experience programme will see over 100 young people from the
region work alongside industry professionals to stage the full scale
musical Cats.
Following last year's impressive production of Grease, Stage
Experience 2014 will take place from Monday, 11 August to Saturday,
23 August 2014. We're looking for 120 young people, aged 11 to 21
years, to work with industry professionals to stage a full scale
musical.
Stage Experience is an annual 2 week summer school programme during
which, over 100 lucky young people will work alongside industry
professionals to stage a full scale musical production in just 2
weeks.
Creative Learning Manager and Project Coordinator Natalie Flynn
said:- "We're looking for talented, enthusiastic performers
who aren't afraid of hard work to star in a production of Andrew
Lloyd Webber's classic musical Cats. Stage Experience is a great
opportunity for young people to work alongside professionals from
the theatre industry and learn about what it takes to put on a
professional production. It's a fun, action packed and creative way
for any young person interested in performing arts to spend their
summer holidays."
Stage Experience's production of Cats features the much loved
characters and well- loved songs that audiences are used to but the
production has been totally re-vamped for Stage Experience. There's
brand new choreography and direction so, the audience can expect to
see something different even if they've seen Cats before.
The project involves a lot of choreography and so the young
participants will have an intense fortnight learning all of the
different routines. Don't worry if you don't have any professional
dance experience as there are plenty of opportunities for those who
have never had any prior training.
Choreographer Lauren Taylor said:- "For this particular
project, creativity is more important then technique. The production
is full of high energy dances and we need individuals who aren't shy
about learning some new and unique, stylized movements and who
aren't afraid to put their own mark on their choreography."
And it's not just dancers who should apply, there's plenty of
opportunities for the region's young singers.
Natalie Flynn said:- "We're looking for all types of budding
performer, especially singers as it's important that we have some
really strong voices in the company as well as great dancers"
Potential participants will need to audition, and these will take
place on Saturday, 10 May 2014 and Sunday 11 May 2014. Those who
wish to audition need to 1st complete an application form, available
to collect at the Empire's Box Office or you can download a copy by
visiting:-
atgtickets.com/Liverpool and
clicking on:- 'Creative Learning'.
The closing date for applications is 1 May 2014 and applications
received after this date will not be considered.
Previous Stage Experience projects including Grease, West Side Story
and Annie all received rave reviews and the number of applications
and auditions have increased year on year. The young people will be
supported throughout the project by a professional Director,
Choreographer, Musical Director and technical team.
The programme aims to develop the venues' involvement in the
community and Stage Experience is a fantastic opportunity for local
people to gain an insight into the world of musical theatre and the
performing arts. It offers local young people of all backgrounds the
chance to take part in a full-scale musical production on the
prestigious Liverpool Empire stage. Many participants have taken
part in the project every year since its inception in 2007 and some
have gone on to star in professional West End productions.
Please note that:-
► ALL the auditions are free and open to
everyone regardless of experience.
► Photographs must be passport sized other formats will not be
accepted as these are required for identification and licensing
purposes.
► Closing date for applications is at 6pm on 1 May 2014. Late
applications will not be processed. You can return via post or hand
deliver to the Empire Theatre Stage Door or Box Office.
► Places for auditions are limited and we are expecting a lot of
responses so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
► Auditions will take place at The Empire Theatre or another City
centre location. You will be contacted via email to confirm your
date and time.
► You will not need to prepare anything for the 1st audition. You
will be take part in three group workshop activities of dance, drama
and singing. Those invited to recall auditions will be given work to
prepare.
► Following a successful audition the Project fee of £180.00 will be
payable. This includes 2 weeks professional tuition, souvenir
t-shirt and loan of costume. You will be required to provide some
items of costume and your own footwear. Discount available for those
enrolling more than one child.
► You must be aged 11 to 21 at the time of the performances.
► If you have any questions please contact via emailing:-
natalieflynn@theambassadors.com or call:- 0151 702 7337.
► All correspondence will be provided via email after the closing
date; please ensure that you have a working email address and notify
us immediately of any changes.
Kate Henshaw
Hairdressing Wins North West Salon of the Year 2014
AN Aigburth based salon
Kate Henshaw Hairdressing has been awarded with the prestigious
title of North West Salon of the Year at the 2014 English Hair and
Beauty Awards. It is the first time that a Liverpool salon has taken
the award.
Kate and the team went along to the sparkling ceremony, which took
place at the Mercure Hotel in Manchester on 30th March, where they
picked up the accolade, as voted for by clients.
Speaking after the win, Kate said:- "Even finding out that we
were nominated for this award was a fantastic surprise. I received a
phone call one day to tell me that our customers had been voting and
that the salon was listed as a finalist. I had no idea! To come here
and win on the night is the icing on the cake. I am so proud that we
have such a loyal client base. It is testament to my staff and all
the hard work and ongoing training they put in. We love our jobs,
and never more than at a time like this. I'd like to say a huge
'thank you' to everyone who voted."
This is not the 1st award win for the popular South Liverpool
hairdressers. In 2012 Kate Henshaw Hairdressing was voted
Liverpool's Best Salon by readers of Lifestyle Magazine, then in
2013 the business was rated as 5* by the Good Salon Guide. So it is
safe to say that this friendly salon, situated on Aigburth Vale, has
proved exceptionally popular with the locals since opening back in
2011.
Kate Henshaw Hairdressing is the only Kevin Murphy Session Salon in
the Liverpool region, having been specially selected by the high end
product brand for meeting a rigorous set of criteria. As such, Kate
and her staff visit London 4 times per year to learn different
looks, in line with the seasons, keeping them on trend and in
demand. As a result of this affiliation and training Kate has
created a specialism for herself in providing a luxury service to
bridal parties and the salon is well known to many in Liverpool as
THE place to go for wedding hair.
Now, in the salon's 3rd year of business, a recent refurbishment has
seen Kate Henshaw Hairdressing move to the upper floor of its 303
Aigburth Road location, to be joined downstairs by partner company
Neil Smith Hair; a specialist men's salon. Bringing both brands
under one roof has made life much easier for customers, who can now
leave sons and partners downstairs with the boys while they head
upstairs to be preened. With hair services for everyone under one
roof, not to mention yet another award win under its belt, Kate
Henshaw Hairdressing, English Hair and Beauty Awards North West
Salon of the Year 2014, is an independent Liverpool business that
the City can be proud of. |
