5ive’s Ritchie Neville to star in Liverpool Easter Panto
After their first Easter panto, Aladdin, in 2014 was a high-flying success and the gigantic Christmas production of Jack and the Beanstalk, LHK Productions are delighted to present another beautiful fairy tale to the stage with their ever favourable panto twist at The Epstein Theatre this Easter, with Beauty and the Beast from Thu 2 – Sun 12 Apr and tickets are on sale now.
Always guaranteeing a special and exciting cast, LHK Productions have landed 5ive frontman, Ritchie Neville to star in the production as Anton. After enjoying worldwide success as part of 5ive, even bagging a Brit Award for Best Pop Act, the group took a break before reuniting in 2013 to take the show on the road and perform their most famous hits like Keep on Movin’, If Ya Gettin’ Down and Slam Dunk (Da Funk) on a 14 show tour across the UK, so Ritchie is certainly no stranger to the stage and is sure to deliver a show-stopping performance.
Ritchie Neville said: “I am really looking forward to being a part of LHK’s production of Beauty & The Beast. This will be my first ever panto performance, so I am super excited. I love performing in Liverpool, whenever we have gigs in the city with the band, the crowd are always brilliant. You know you get a warm and lively audience in Liverpool so I know doing my first panto here is going to be a whole lot of fun!”
Alongside Ritchie, playing Belle, is Grease is the Word semi-finalist, Alison Crawford, who recently starred in LHK’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk as Princess Jill. Also joining the pair is the returning Michael Chapman, who is sure to bring laughter and excitement to the show taking on the role of Madam Dolly Doughnut.
Beauty and the Beast tells the tale of a handsome Prince with no love in his heart. After an encounter with an Enchantress, he is transformed into a terrifying Beast and the only way the wicked curse can be broken is if the Beast can find true love before the last petal from the magical rose falls.
LHK Productions have a reputation for being one of the most acclaimed and unique production companies across the UK. With a number of diverse and exciting twists on family-favourite productions, the remarkable sets and costumes, touched up with a local Scouse style are sure to captivate the entire family and prove their standard to be higher than any other of the seasonal shows around.
Will the Beast find true love? Or will the last petal from the magical rose fall? There’s only one way to find out if the Beast can fall in love and break the curse, get down to the Epstein Theatre this April.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS:
LHK Productions and The Epstein Theatre present: Beauty and the Beast
Thursday 2 April – Sunday 12 April
14:00 & 19:00
14:00 & 18:30 (Saturday 4 April & Saturday 11 April ONLY)
14:30 & 18:30 (Sunday 5 April ONLY)
14:00 & 18:00 (Sunday 12 April ONLY)
13:00 & 17:00 (Monday 6 April ONLY)
Ticket Prices
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children): £54
Adult: £16.50
Concession: £14.50
To book, call 0844 888 4411, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.ukor book in person at the theatre box office (open 2-6pm Mon-Sat)
Or via TicketQuarter: To book call 0844 8000 410 or visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk
release of the recently recorded single, Our Friend, official song of the campaign.
The song has been written by Statue 4 Eppy campaigner, Bob Pitt, and includes the voices of acclaimed Liverpool artistes Ian McNabb, Andy McCluskey, Beryl Marsden and Ian Prowse, who are joined by guest celebrities including Tricia Penrose, psychic Derek Acorah, and actors Paul Barber and John McArdle. The song also features Billy J Kramer, who was managed by Brian at the height of the Merseybeat era.
Brian Epstein was very influential within the thriving music industry of the 1960s in both Liverpool and London. But it was that lunchtime concert in the Cavern Club featuring four young Liverpool men that would change their lives, Brian’s life, and musical history forever. He spotted a special talent, nurtured it, and it was a career which would take Brian and The Beatles onto a global stage and brought with it worldwide fame.
This year has seen a lot of recognition for Epstein. The music genius was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after a campaign from fans; a commemorative Blue Plaque was unveiled at the London offices of Epstein’s company NEMS; and the play Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles ran for six weeks at Leicester Square Theatre in London’s West End. Brian would have also celebrated his 80th birthday in September.
Statue 4 Eppy’s Fiona Williams said: “Brian Epstein remains one of the most influential people in the history of modern music. He was a complete visionary who achieved so much during his short life. It is incredible that he still has not been officially honoured or recognised by the city or the people of Liverpool.
“Our campaign to create a permanent statue, with the expert help of sculptor Tom Murphy, is our opportunity to say thank you to Brian. The single, Our Friend, will be released on the same day as our Concert 4 Eppy, the proceeds of both will go towards the statue fund. We’d encourage music enthusiasts who have ever enjoyed a Beatles or Merseybeat song to support us.”
The Statue 4 Eppy organisers are interested in hearing from individuals or organisations who would like to get involved in the campaign as a sponsor. To find out more email statue4eppy@yahoo.com.
The official campaign website is www.statue4eppy.com
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
The Statue 4 Eppy Concert
Epstein Theatre, Liverpool
Saturday, 28 February, 2015
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets £20
VENUE DETAILS
The Epstein Theatre
Hanover House
85 Hanover Street
Liverpool
L1 3DZ
To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411, go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 2pm – 6pm on Monday – Thursday and 12pm – 6pm Friday – Saturday. (booking fees may apply)
