Local charities - including The Special Olympics - are set to benefit from a series of shows designed to highlight local musical talent. These shows will be brought to you by the same creative team who raised thousands of pounds for the Rainbows Children's Hospice two years ago.
The "Somewhere Over the Ruby Rainbow" shows, organised as part of BBC Radio Leicester's 40th Anniversary, featured 40 songs, sung by 40 performers from local theatre companies who toured Leicester, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray and Hinckley. Such was their success, the organisers are reuniting those groups and linking with thebestofHinckley and thebestofLeicester in 2009 - under the banner of "Applause - Somewhere" - for another tour of our local theatres - bringing top quality entertainment to the county's leading venues.
As well as "Applause - Somewhere", music-lovers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will also be able to enjoy "Applause - Classics" which will tour some of our finest Churches with all time great classic hits and "Applause - Brass" - a spectacular with the Ratby Co-operative Band in Leicester Cathedral.
The "Applause" creative team consists of Director Rebecca Valentine; Musical Director Tony Rifugiato; Director and Choreographer Liz Valentine; Stage Manager Martyne Pennell; Lighting and Sound Manager Ed Stagg and Production Manager Paul Holden. All of the "Applause" events will be compered by Dave Andrews, Martin Ballard and Monica Winfield of BBC Radio Leicester.
The 2009 "Applause" season will launch with a stunning one-night show at Leicester's Curve Theatre on Sunday March 22nd which will include highlights from the "Somewhere" shows, along with speciality entertainers Combust, addict Dance Company, local stars, "home-grown" stars from the West End Stage and Television, Radio Leicester presenters and tribute band The upBeatles, as well as Leicester's own Adam Watkiss.
Coming soon - the Applause website: www.applauseonline.co.uk
