Evening Standard

THE NEW 40^th ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION OF

THE LEGENDARY MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA IS COMING

TO THE MILLENNIUM FORUM

2 – 7 SEPTEMBER 2013

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

The Rocky Horror Show 40th Anniversary production is coming to the Millennium Forum between 2 – 7 September as part of its year-long run. Ben Forster, who won the ITV1 series Superstar and then went on to play the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar, will star as Brad. West End actor Oliver Thornton, who has appeared in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Phantom Of the Opera, Les Miserables, Chicago and Starlight Express, stars as the lead character Frank ‘n’ Furter. Philip Franks, from The Darling Buds of May and Heartbeat, plays the Narrator.

Since its first appearance at the Royal Court Theatre in June 1973, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock N’ Roll musical. It has been performed worldwide for nearly 40 years in over 30 countries in every continent and has been translated into more than 20 languages. To celebrate the 40^th anniversary, Christopher Luscombe has created a new production for a year-long UK tour.

This musical extravaganza will feature all of its famous musical classics including “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.

The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank ’n’ Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house, whilst on their way to visit their former college professor. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music and encourages audience participation meaning, of course, getting dressed in your most outrageous fancy dress.

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. Be warned, this show has rude parts!

The Rocky Horror Show performs at the Millennium Forum from Mon 2^nd to Sat 7^th September.  Tickets are now available from the Box Office.  Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.

• Continental Market comes to Newcastle, Co. Down May 21 – 22.  The Continental Market is once again coming to Newcastle, with a variety of continental foods and crafts, with something for everyone to enjoy.

• Ballyclare May Fair, Ballyclare Town Centre, Co. Antrim, May 21 – 26.  The picturesque market town will be a hive of activity with the traditional horse fair, continental market, fun fair, craft stalls and live music.

• Blues on the Bay Festival, Warrenpoint, Co. Down, 22 – 27 May.  Now in its 15th year, The ‘International Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival’ started out with only 20 gigs and has now progressed into one of the World’s most popular blues festivals.  Enjoy five days of blues music featuring world class international Jazz and Blues performers.  As well as this there will be music workshops, a picnic and a busking competition.

• Crazy Sheep Racing, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, May 24 -16. This event has been taking place for a number of years and will see sheep race around a track in Ballycastle with all proceeds being donated to charity.  The event will also include pony rides, pony trekking, boating, go-karting and farm tours on the Paddy Wagon.

• Armagh City Craft Fair, Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Co. Armagh, May 24 – 25.  This year the craft fair promises to be bigger and better with more craft stalls selling high quality and affordable craft including textiles, jewellery, glass, ceramics and wood.  There will also be craft demonstrations and workshops available for children and adults.

• European Parks Day, Roe Valley Country Park, Co. Londonderry, May 25.  This event aims to promote protected areas and the sustainable management of landscapes, fauna and flora.  There will be a brief talk about the history of the park as well as a walk through the wooded area and along the river.

• Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival, various venues, Belfast, May 25 – 27.  This festival will celebrate the city’s unique maritime heritage alongside Titanic activities that will include tours, talks, exhibitions and drama as well as family friendly entertainment and music throughout the three days.

• Big Foot Walk 2013, through the parks and country lanes of Tyrone and Armagh, May 26.   An endurance walking event linking the historic towns of Dungannon and Armagh and two of the most historic sites in Ireland, O’Neill’s Castle and Navan Fort.  The route twists through the parks and country lanes of Tyrone and Armagh for 18 miles.  Make sure to bring walking shoes, sensible clothing, light rain gear, a mobile phone and walking stick/poles.

• Country Fair, Florence Court, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, May 26.  Enjoy this annual country fair which will have a variety of local craft stalls, you can also see beautiful vintage vehicles and meet some interesting rare breeds.

• Jazz in the Gardens, Mount Stewart, Newtownards, Co. Down, May 26.  Bring your picnic and settle down with your family and friends to enjoy an afternoon of jazz in the beautiful setting of the lawns at the front of the house.

Alan Davies - photograph courtesy of Tony Briggs

Following the phenomenal success of the Australian and UK Tours of Life Is Pain in 2012 (his first live Stand-up show for more than a decade), a critically acclaimed tour of New Zealand and two nights at London’s Hammersmith Apollo earlier this year, Alan Davies – the much-loved star of iconic television series such as Jonathan Creek and QI – will tour the UK again this Autumn due to popular demand.

Alan began his career in stand-up comedy in 1988 and was runner-up in the City Limits New Act of the Year contest 1989. He was named Time Out Best Young Comic in 1991 and made his network television debut on Tonight with Jonathan Ross in 1992. In 1993 two appearances on C4’s Viva Cabaret led to a nomination for a British Comedy Award as Best Newcomer.

In 1994 he won an Edinburgh Festival Critics Award for Comedy and a Perrier Award Nomination and the show was released on VHS as Live At The Lyric. The following year he appeared at the Montreal, Melbourne and Auckland Comedy Festivals and was nominated for a British Comedy Award as Best Stand-Up Comedian..

In 1996 he took the eponymous role of Jonathan Creek, written by David Renwick. The show ran for 14 years and has been seen by audiences worldwide. A special episode was filmed earlier this year and is due to be transmitted this Easter.

His 1998 show, Urban Trauma ran at the Duchess Theatre before touring the UK and was recorded for a DVD and shown on BBC1 with a documentary series about the tour, Stand-Up with Alan Davies.

In 2001 Alan took the role of Bob in Russel T.Davies’ Bob & Rose for which he was awarded Best Actor in a Drama at the Monte Carlo Television Awards.

In 2002, he starred in Auntie and Me by Morris Panych for another sell-out season at Edinburgh before transferring to the Wyndham’s Theatre for a four month West End run. That same year Alan took part in a comedy pilot hosted by Stephen Fry. QI has subsequently run every year since 2003.

The lead role in two series of the ITV1 legal drama, The Brief, followed, and in 2009 Penguin published his first book, My Favourite People 1978-1988 which was adapted into a three part documentary series for Channel 4 called Teenage Revolution (also the title for the paperback).

In 2010 he took the lead role of chef Roland White in the BBC2 sitcom Whites and in 2011 Alan co-wrote and starred in a short film for Sky One as part of their Little Crackers Christmas season before returning to Australia for a successful tour of QI Live followed by a sell-out tour of his new stand-up show, Life Is Pain.

Alan’s performance of Life Is Pain was recorded at HMV Hammersmith Apollo earlier this year and will be released on DVD in November 2013.

Alan Davies performs at the Millennium Forum on Sat 30^th November. Tickets are now available from the Box Office.  Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.

The Action for Biodiversity Project is hosting a free interactive Family Fun Day at Kilbroney Park on Saturday 18^th May to give you the opportunity to discover more about the importance of animals, plants and people in our everyday lives across Ireland. For all our County Down events click HERE.

Tyrone

The fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fair will be returning to the historic home of Lissan House, Cookstown on Sunday 19th May from 12-5pm with another extravaganza of vintage and handmade treasures for sale, nostalgia and fun.  30 quality exhibitors will be selling authentic vintage and handmade fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, art, crafts, gifts and sweet treats – most of which can’t be found on the high street. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore 400 years of history around Lissan House and gardens, before relaxing and refreshing in the Lissan Tea Room.  Lissan House will also be running a Family Treasure Hunt in the grounds of the Lissan Estate on the day.  Admission will cost £5 for adults, and accompanied children (under 15s) go free.  For all our County Tyrone listings click  HERE.

Fermanagh

The 10th Borderline Arts Festival takes place on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May 2013. Entries are now invited for a range of Speech and Drama, Music, Singing, Art, Creative Writing and Photography competitions. Entries accepted from those between the ages of 4 and 18 and a great selection of prizes is on offer.  For all our County Fermanagh listings click  HERE.

Derry

Adapted from the book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, ‘Each Peach Pear Plum’ is a game of ‘I spy’ for little ones and their families from Puppet Lab Theatre. ‘Tom Thumb’s in the cupboard, Mother Hubbard’s on the stairs, Where are the Three Bears?’ The setting is a delightful green meadow with a river running through it. With songs and music the production brings to life a variety of nursery rhyme characters played by a wide range of puppets, all on their way to Mother Hubbard’s for some Plum Pie. Friday 17th May at the Bridewell Magherafelt at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Suitable for age 3+.  For all our County Derry/Londonderry listings click HERE.

Armagh

The Apple Blossom Tractor Road Run starts at Peatlands Country Park, just off junction 13 on the M1 motorway at 11am on Saturday 18^th. After some 20 – 25 miles of route the run stops in Loughgall Football club for a bit of lunch then back to the Peatlands Park. In it’s 11^th year the Tractor Run now attracts over 100 plus tractors each year and is a great day out for the tractor drivers and followers.  All proceeds will go to Orthopaedic Research in Musgrave Park Hospital.   For all our County Armagh listings click HERE.

Antrim

The best of amateur theatre comes to Theatre at The Mill all week until Saturday, staging 6 days of top quality drama, competing for the Grand Opera House Premier Award.  Under the adjudication of Mr Walker Ewart, a range of dramas are expected to engage, unsettle, shock, provoke and delight audiences performed by 6 amateur theatre groups who recently qualified in the regional full length play festivals.  For all County Antrim listings click HERE.

Belfast

Get those braincells moving with an entertaining Sunday afternoon quiz on board the Belfast Barge.  Great prizes will be awarded to the winning team.  For all our Belfast events listings click HERE.