TWO of musical theatres leading men and X Factor stars, Rhydian Roberts and G4 frontman Jonathan Ansell, have announced they will be bringing their nationwide tour to Hastings Hotels in October.

Les Musicals presents the biggest hit songs from the West End and Broadway and Jonathan and Rhydian will take to the stage at the Everglades Hotel in Derry-Londonderry on Thursday 11^th October, the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on Friday 12^th October and the Culloden Estate & Spa (dinner and show) in Holywood on Saturday 13^th October.

Jonathan Ansell and Rhydian Roberts have joined forces for the first time to create a dramatic and spine-tingling concert.  This vocally dynamic evening showcases the smash hits from the greatest musicals of all time from the West End and Broadway in this exhilarating live concert tour.

Allyson McKimm, Events Director of Hastings Hotels said: “We are thrilled to welcome the fabulous Les Musicals tour to three of our hotels in October. This unique live show will offer lovers of musical theatre with the opportunity to listen to two of the world’s finest voices bring some of the best-loved classics to life from Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Blood Brothers, Wicked, Jesus Christ Superstar, Carousel, West Side Story, The Lion King, Miss Saigon, Chess, Rocky Horror Picture Show, We Will Rock You and many more. This is something not to be missed!”

Tickets for all three shows are available at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

For any further information, please contact Allyson McKimm of Hastings Hotels on amckimm@hastingshotels.com

Theatre at The Mill presents A DOLL’S HOUSE on Thursday 31 May at 7.45pm, a new adaptation by Theatrical Niche Ltd based on HENRIK IBSEN’S classic tale.

Working with some of the UK’s leading Mental Health charities, they use Verbatim interviews and emotive Choreography to rocket Ibsen’s famous tale into a hugely relevant re-telling for modern audiences.

Exploring stigmas around gender and mental health, this artful adaptation focuses on the impossible idolisation of one ‘perfect’ woman, by a man who walks with weights around his ankles.

Mr & Mrs Helmer are the iconic power couple. They excel at work, staying on top, socialising. They excel at excelling. However, as his autobiography rolls out around Christmas-time, it seems there are a few things that Mr. Helmer may not have mentioned in the foreword.

A Doll’s House showcases the play-writing collaboration of two of Theatrical Niche’s founding members, as well as the direction of critically-acclaimed artist, Alice Sillett. This new production incorporates the words and intonations of mental abuse and mental health problem sufferers, giving Ibsen a resoundingly contemporary voice.

This performance is suitable for ages 12yrs+, group discount available.  Tickets from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online theatreatthemill.com. Question and answers sessions are provided upon request.

Special rate available for schools and charities at Box Office.

Visitors can explore more of Ards and North Down through a series of bespoke walking, bus and boat tours running until November 2018.

A highlight of the programme is the new ‘Gardens and Gin’ tour that visits the historic Mount Stewart Gardens and Echlinville Distillery that brews the world renowned JawBox Gin.  With firm favourite, ‘Woodland and Whiskey’ returning for those that prefer to learn more about Echlinville’s famous Dunville Whiskey.

Another ‘must-do’ is the unique opportunity to have ‘Tea with the Lord’ on a visit to Ballywalter Estate, home of Lord and Lady Dunleath.  Their 270-acre estate is not usually open to the public.

Parents can keep the kids entertained during the summer months with a series of nature themed adventures.  The ever-popular boat tours of Strangford Lough will run in July, August and September and the ‘sell-out’ Halloween Walking Tours in Bangor and Newtownards return in October.

A full programme can be downloaded at visitardsandnorthdown.com or you can pick up a hard copy at Bangor or Newtownards Visitor Information Centres:

Cookstown goes continental next month when the food and flavours, sights and sounds of Europe and beyond return to the town centre for two days on 2 – 3 June!

Organised by Mid Ulster District Council, in partnership with Cookstown Town Centre Forum, the continental market is part of Market Place Europe’s spring tour, and will feature over 40 traders from as far afield as Morocco, India, Belgium, France, Russia, Holland, Spain and China, who will set up stalls alongside local traders from the weekly street market.

As well as mouth-watering dishes, from freshly made Paella to delicious Bratwurst Sausages, visitors to the market over the two day event will also be kept entertained with a variety of street entertainment and music.

An added feature to this year’s market is ‘The Brickx Club’ which will take place at the Burnavon over the weekend. During two-hour sessions children and adults alike will have the opportunity to utilise LEGO through creative brick building. There will be construction zones and brick pits where LEGO enthusiasts of all ages can build and create. To book, or for more information, go to: www.burnavon.com.

Launching the 2018 market, Councillor Kim Ashton, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, said:

“The Continental Market is the signature civic event for Cookstown and one which consistency brings huge numbers to the town centre. Given the line-up for this year’s event I have no doubt it will do the same.

“As well as being a great opportunity for local people and visitors alike to enjoy flavours from around the world, the continental market allows us to showcase Cookstown and all it has to offer to a large audience. With such an excellent array of entertainment planned over the two days, it’s sure to be a great weekend of fun and activity for all the family. I look forward to welcoming all our stall holders and experiencing the extra buzz in the town when the market kicks off on Saturday 2^nd June!”

The continental market takes place along William Street in Cookstown town centre from Saturday 2 June (9am – 9pm) and Sunday 3 June (11am – 7pm).

To facilitate the expected increased visitor numbers in a safe environment, a road closure will be in place along William Street from 6.30pm on Friday 1 June through to approximately 10pm on Sunday 3 June 2018. The road closure will be in place from the Orritor Street/Coagh Street junction to the Burn Road/James Street junction.

To find out more, visit www.midulstercouncil.org/market or call Mary McCullagh, Regeneration Manager on 03000 132 132 or email mary.mccullagh@midulstercouncil.org.

Hofesh Shechter, one of the UK dance scene’s hottest properties, comes to Belfast for the first time 17^th – 19^th May

★★★★ “The ultimate dance macabre” (The Observer)

The internationally-acclaimed choreographer Hofesh Shechter, whose landmark pieces include Political Mother and 2017’s Grand Finale, now brings his unique, high-energy work to The MAC Belfast for the first time, as part of a UK and world tour.

Described by the New York Times as “one of the British dance scene’s hottest properties”, Hofesh Shechter Company presents SHOW, a wild and mischievous performance composed of three acts: The Entrance, Clowns and Exit.

Combining Hofesh’s bold, exhilarating and tribal choreography with a pulsating score, SHOW revolves around a group of anarchic performers as they play their parts in a macabre circus of comedy, murder and desire.  It will be performed by Shechter II, the apprentice company of the celebrated choreographer, for dancers aged 18-25.

Over 1,000 dancers auditioned for Shechter II and the final eight, drawn from the most inspiring young talent across the world, represent the very best of the next generation of contemporary dancers. They are Riley Wolf (UK), Juliette Valerio (France), Zunnur Sazali (Singapore), Adam Khazhmuradov (Belgium), Natalia Gabrielczyk (Poland), Emma Farnell-Watson (UK), Robinson Cassarino (France) and Neal Maxwell (Switzerland).

Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC said: “It is a real privilege to be hosting recent Olivier nominee, Hofesh Shechter in Belfast for the first time, which continues the MAC’s approach to presenting the highest quality work across all art forms”.

SHOW by Hofesh Shechter is at the MAC for three nights only from 17 – 19 May.  For more information about the show or to book, visit themaclive.com.

This has been supported by National Lottery funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Newtownards is gearing up for a puppet takeover this month when Northern Ireland’s only Puppet Festival comes to Conway Square.

Taking place from Saturday 26 May – Monday 28 May, the Ards and North Down Borough Council festival will be bigger and better than ever before, offering a jam-packed programme packed with puppet fun!

Over the festival, the town centre will be animated with an eclectic mix of scheduled performances, free puppet workshops and plenty of madcap puppet shenanigans! Expect puppets in all shapes and sizes, from socks to shadows and strings, there’ll be lots of quirky characters to meet!

One of the programme highlights will be The Elephant Extravaganza which will take place on Sunday and Monday afternoon. Prepare to be amazed by ‘Harminder,’ Festive Road’s impressive, larger-than-life mechanical Asian elephant. Pedal-power brings her to life, with her ear, head and trunk movements adding to the spectacle as she perambulates. She loves nothing more than packing her trunk and going to new places and making new friends!

The festival Big Top in Conway Square will be buzzing with an impressive programme of high-quality shows scheduled over the three days. On Saturday morning, Banyan Theatre company presents Red Riding Hood and will recant this children’s favourite tale through puppetry storytelling and music. On Saturday afternoon, it’s the turn of The DaSilva Marionette Circus Troupe to take over the Big Top. Come and be amazed by aerial acrobatics on the flying trapeze, spectacular cycling stunts, cheeky clowns and more! On Sunday, The Cardboard Carnival, by Lempen Theatre will wow audiences with the ultimate animal show created entirely from cardboard! A Strange New Space by Tessa Bide – winner of the Edinburgh Fringe Primary Times Children’s Choice Award 2017-  will perform on Monday afternoon. This intergalactic adventure of space-obsessed Amira, mirroring her real-life journey as a refugee. A non-verbal, physical show for families with puppetry and original music.

There’s lots happening outside in Conway Square too with plenty of quirky characters to meet. Look out for The Alchemist and laugh at his failed attempts to make gold, have tea with the Big Bad Wolf (if you dare!) or marvel at Dangerous Dave and his daft stunts. Bump into an ancient 700-year-old Swedish Troll called Aloisious Ginderbalm performed by local puppeteer Paul Currie, watch Dr Frankenstein at work, meet the crazy Market Stall puppets who will have you in stitches as you select your veg and so much more!

More creative visitors can get stuck into puppet making at the free interactive workshops where children can build their very own puppets, guided by local artists. For the more energetic, there’s a Puppet Scavenger Hunt throughout Newtownards town centre. Follow the trail to find puppets hidden in shop windows!

Speaking about the festival, Amy McKelvey, Community Arts Development Officer with Ards and North Down Borough Council said: “We are very excited about the festival this year which will be the biggest yet with three full days of puppetry. The calibre of performers is second to none and the magic of puppetry in all its forms and for all ages is not to be missed.”

Ards Puppet Festival takes place from 26 – 28 May in Conway Square Newtownards. For more information go to: www.visitardsandnorthdown.com or www.ardsarts.com

The prestigious Tour of Ulster Cycling race, sponsored this year by Victus Energy will be based Banbridge town this year.

One of Ireland’s longest established races, the Victus Tour of Ulster is attracting the top Irish elite riders and teams including Strata3-VeloRevolution, Team Caldwell Cycles & Team Viner Caremark Pactimo, also the UK’s premier teams, Holdsworth Pro Racing, Rhino Velo Race Team & St. Pirian and French team VC Toucy.  Facing them will include local riders from Banbridge CC, West Down Wheelers & Dromara CC among many other Ulster riders and teams.

This year’s race see’s the cyclist starting and finishing all three stages on the Newry Road in Banbridge during the 2018 May Bank Holiday weekend.

Stage 1, on Saturday 5^th May, departs at 11:45am from Belmont Hotel and follows a 112-mile circuit taking in the beautiful surroundings around Lough Neagh. The 130 riders will be going through Donaghcloney, Magheralin, Moira, Loanends, Antrim, Randalstown, Toome, Ballyronan, Ballinderry, Coagh, Stewartstown, Clonoe, Maghery, The Birches, Portadown, Tandragee, Scarva, Loughbrickland, Rathfriland, Annaclone before finishing back on the Newry Road in Banbridge at approx. 3:45pm

Stage 2 action begins at 9:45am, taking in 98 gruelling miles around the scenic Mourne Mountains.  The riders will take in Donaghcloney, Dromore, Annahilt, Ballynahinch, Spa, Clonvaraghan, Moneyslane, Rathfriland, Hilltown, Bryansford, Castlewellan, Leitrim, Finnis, Dromara, Kinallen, Katesbridge and Annaclone before finishing back on the Newry Road in Banbridge at approx. 1:30pm.

Bank Holiday Monday 7^th May sees the cyclists rolling out at 9.45 and bringing the action to a close with seven laps of a 10-mile circuit.

The circuit itself starts on the Ballygowan Road and takes left at the crossroads heading for Loughbrickland before making its way back to Banbridge for what is sure to be an exciting finish, once again on the Newry Road.  Each lap will pass through Banbridge town centre approximately every 20-25 minutes, with the stage expected to finish at 12:40pm

For full race details, check out www.tourofulster.com for more details on the route and riders or why not follow us on Twitter @TourUlster / Facebook Victus Tour of Ulster for regular updates.