The Weekend by Blackpool Gazette

In association with Friday, March 13, 2009

Out of Africa

A fresh taste in music and food INSIDE YOUR GUIDE TO ENTERTAINMENT ON THE FYLDE It’s a dog’s life in new comedy drama film

Superclub lines up a night of big names

Medium is the man with a message

the weekend

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Great prizes in beauty contest

OULD you be Miss Poulton 2009? The Residence nightclub proudly presents the exciting Miss Poulton 2009 contest, with over £3,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. The lucky girl who takes the crown will win £1,000 plus portfolio model shoot with Fylde Photography, a luxury spa day at Brooklands Country Retreat and Health Spa, Garstang, and designer wear from Heroes and Villains. The second-place contestant will win £500 plus the three additional prizes as above, and the third-placed entrant will get £250 plus the same set of prizes. Miss Poulton 2009 first heat will run from 10pm until midnight on Good Friday, April 10, then every Friday thereafter until the Grand Final on Friday, June 5. The club will be open as usual throughout the competition, so come and see the girls!

BEAUTY CROWN: The Residence in Poulton Join the stylish Residence set at this sophisticated venue which reflects elements of high-class nightclubs from all over the world. “We’ve gone from strength to strength since we first opened nine years ago and have built up a mas-

sive client base from all over the North West,” says Elliott. “People love coming here because we give them what they want – a safe and stylish venue with state-ofthe art sound and light technology, plenty of the best in entertainment, a nice club for nice people.” It’s THE place to be. So get smart and join the The Residence set. Members are admitted free before 11pm and are invited to enjoy halfprice drinks available up to 11pm. Group and party bookings are welcome with private hire available for 18th and 21st celebrations, etc. If you would like to be included on the VIP guest list, or would like to reserve a VIP booth please phone the club on 01253 882299. Check out the website for further information www.residencenightclub.co.uk

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

MAIN EVENT

Friday, March 13, 2009

INSIDE COVER STORY African queen’s dream PAGES 6 & 7

CINEMA

Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star in dog lover’s comedy drama Marley and Me, an adult-only portrayal of the man prison failed to tame in Bronson, plus film goodies to be won PAGES 4 & 5

NIGHTSCENE Joey’s back at the Merrie England, get set for soul and Jamaica reggae, and it’s Irish party time PAGES 6 & 7

DUKES DIARY Kite Club blues favourite’s flying visit plus Mothers Day offers on the table PAGE 9

the weekend

Secrets of spirits

By Robin Duke Entertainment Editor

alist church. Gordon now conducts mediumship workshops and events around the world. His Celtic charm and lively demonstrations provide his audience with a rare opportunity to experience the fascinating phenomenon of mediumship, which he delivers to his audience with a mix of humour, pure passion and empathy to others.

he medium is the message on Sunday when the man hailed as Britain’s “most accurate medium” makes his Blackpool Grand Theatre debut. Gordon Smith is one of the top psychic mediums and spiritual teachers in the UK. He developed his abilities as a medium under the tutelage of some of the great legends of the Spiritualist Church and spent 15 years balancing his work as an internationally renowned medium with his day job as a barber in his native Glasgow. Gordon is the proverbial seventh son of a seventh son – he has three sisters (one of whom died before he was born) and three brothers. Gordon has two sons and lives next to a loch on the west coast of his beloved Scotland. From early childhood Gordon had the ability to see, sense and hear spirit people. As a young boy his ability often unnerved those around him and so he learned to close his mind to these experiences. He pursued his passion for gymnastics until he was 19. He was good enough to be selected for the Scottish Commonwealth Games squad. It wasn’t until he was 24, when a friend’s brother appeared at his bedside in the middle of the night that these gifts were re-

Gordon has also appeared on TV’s Richard and Judy and This Morning and presented Living TV’s most successful show Most Haunted. Gordon was most recently seen on The Biography Channel with his fascinating series Psychic Therapy in which he revealed the innermost secrets of Samantha Fox, Mica Paris, Phil Tuffnell, Claire Sweeney, Darren Day and Pete Burns. An Evening of Mediumship with Gordon Smith is at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Sunday at 7.30pm. All tickets are priced £20 and are on sale from the Grand Theatre box office. Call (01253) 290190 or book online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

TOP MEDIUM: Gordon Smith is set for his Blackpool debut awakened. He later learned that the brother had died that night in a tragic fire. Gordon went with his friend to a spiritualist church, and during the service he was told that he would one day be speaking from the “platform”.

This was the start of over 15 years of study and practice as Gordon went on to develop his abilities as a medium or messenger from the spirit world under the tutelage of some of the great legends of the spiritu-

Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the box office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for £2.50.

LAYTON INSTITUTE Westcliffe Drive, Blackpool 393801

IN THE WINGS Gilbert and Sullivan comes to Lytham, reveals Lisa Ettridge in our weekly am-dram column. PAGE 10

www.layton-institute.co.uk

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Friday 13th March Sheila Diamond (vocals)

WHAT’S ON The Fylde Coast’s biggest and best listings guide to shows and events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday PAGES 10-11

Saturday 14th March Ron Davies and Dave Knight (vocals) Sunday 15th March Alan Barker Showcase 4 Acts & Compere

ADVERTISING: Keith Middlebrough Tel: 01253 361816

Preston Gilbert & sullivan society The Mikado

18th-21st march 7.30pm

Fylde Coast Players presents Come On Jeeves Patsy Cline- The concert

weekend

e-mail r o b i n . d u k e @ b l a c k p o o l g a z e t t e . c o . u k

‘WHATS ON’

12th-14th March 7.30pm

25th March Duggie Chapman Presents 7.30pm

the

EDITORIAL Entertainment editor: Robin Duke, tel 01253 361833,

Lowther Pavilion Lytham

26th Marcj Calibre Productions presents 7.30pm

Masters Of The Musical

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

members, affiliated members & guests welcome

28th March Jade Fair Antique & Collectors 10.00-4.30

Fair

Box Office 01253 658666

FILMS

the weekend

Coming soon Julia Roberts and Clive Owen play onetime spies now embroiled in corporate espionage in DUPLICITY... two friends (James Corden and Mathew Horne) go on a hiking trip and get much more than they bargained for in the bloodthirsty comedy LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS ... and a security guard (Kevin James) must outwit a band of highly trained thieves in PAUL BLART: MALL COP (advance screenings Wednesday in Blackpool and Cleveleys).

Goodie bags are up for grabs

Super DVD to be won O

IN CONJUNCTION with The Vue cinema in Cleveleys The Weekend has got a goodie bag of merchandise to give away from the long awaited film version of cult graphic novel Watchmen. The collectors item prize contains a Night Owl keychain torch, badge set and desktop Watchmen

BRONSON (18) Rating: 5/10

CITY of Ember is an action-packed family adventure now out on DVD – and you could win a prize copy! For generations, the people of the City of Ember have thrived in an amazing underground world. Built as a refuge for humanity and powered by a massive generator, the city’s time is almost up and now Ember is falling into darkness as the city’s power supply fails. Now two brave teenagers must embark on a dramatic race against time as they search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever. The cast includes screen favourites and up-andcoming young talent including Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Saoirse Ronan,Marianne JeanBaptiste and Mackenzie Crook. City of Ember (PG) has been released on rental DVD, retail (rrp £13.61) and Blu-ray, courtesy of Entertainment In Video. For your chance to win, simply name the Academy Award-winning actress who is the long time partner of Tim Robbins. Send your entries with your name, address and telephone number to: City of Ember DVD competition, The Gazette, Avroe House, Avroe Crescent, South Shore, Blackpool, FY4 2DP. Closing date Friday, March 20. The winner will be picked at random from postal entries.

FILMS CHART 1 (-) Watchmen (18) 2 (2) Gran Torino (15) 3 (4) Confessions Of A Shopaholic (PG) 4 (3) Bolt 3D (PG) 5 (1) The Unborn (15) 6 (6) Hotel For Dogs (U) 7 (-) Young Victoria (PG) 8 (5) Slumdog Millionaire (15) 9 (-) Tales of Desperaux (U) 10 (-) He’s Just Not That Into You (12A)

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riginally sentenced to seven years at the age of 19 for a bungled armed robbery, Charles Bronson is now one of the UK’s most notorious and violent inmates of our overcrowded prison system. He has spent 30 of his 34 years behind bars in solitary confinement, and has not been allowed to mix with other prisoners since 1999, currently languishing in HM Prison Wakefield from where he continues to produce award-winning poetry and art. Celebrated Danish filmmaker, Nicolas Winding Refn (Fear X, the Pusher trilogy), attempts to make sense of this tortured soul in this psychedelic and controversial biopic that pummels the senses into weary submission. How do you get inside the mind of a man who has been certified as clinically insane... and would you even want to? The stylistic quirks honed in the director’s earlier films are on display here in unflinching and disturbing scenes of violence within the prison walls as the hulking, shaven-headed Bronson (Tom Hardy) readies himself for a beating. The film’s strongest asset is the leading man, who has bulked up for the role and loses himself in the character, delivering an uncompromising and fearless performance that exudes menace and rage. He doesn’t hold back for an instant, going full frontal as the inmate weathers a frenzied kicking from prison guards, or turning to the camera to share some thought which has burst into his battered and bruised head. “Hold on to your feelings because it’s going to get hairy in here,’’ he growls shortly before an altercation with guards in his cell.

countdown clock as well as a pair of tickets to see Watchmen at The Vue. To have a chance of winning, answer the following question: Q Who wrote the graphic novel on which the Watchmen film is based? Was it: (a) Roger Moore, (b) Alan

Moore or (c) Bobby Moore Answers on a postcard or sealed envelope to Watchmen Competition, The Weekend, The Gazette, Avroe House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool FY4 2DP. The closing date is Friday, March 20. Normal Gazette rules apply.

Stir crazy Violent portrayal of the man prison failed to tame

As portrayed here, Bronson is something of a deranged circus clown, narrating his episodic life in overlapping flashbacks. “My name’s Charles Bronson and all my life, I’ve wanted to be famous,’’ he begins, transporting us back to his formative years with his mother (Amanda Burton). Moving

from Aberystwyth to Merseyside and later to Luton. “Before I forget,’’ he continues, “I did come into this world as Michael Peterson,’’ eventually changing his name at the behest of his boxing promoter, Paul Daniels (Matt King). “You need a fighting name, like a movie star,’’ he advises.

“Charlton Heston?’’ suggests Michael. “You’re more the Charles Bronson type,’’ replies Paul sagely. Thus a legend is born, although Refn’s film never really gets beneath the skin of this erratic, crazed, tightly wound and sometimes morbidly funny character.

Once-in-a-lifetime treat for Jody THE Blackpool Odeon got together with their friends at the Houndshill Shopping Centre and Principal Hayley Hotels to create a prize that money could not buy for one lucky cinema fan. The lucky winner, Jody Wood (right with Odeon general manager Colin Alexander) and her partner, attended the glamorous London West End premiere of the new Jerrry Bruckheimer/ Touchstone Pictures film Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Not only that but Jody stayed the night in one of London's finest luxury hotels – The Hotel Russell courtesy of Principal Hayley Hotels. The Odeon received 2,000 entries for the competition, and Jody was picked at random by a member of the public at the Houndshill Shopping Centre last month. Mr Alexander said: “Jody could not believe that she had won the prize and had a fabulous once in a lifetime trip to London.”

FILMS

Friday, March 13, 2009

Bow wow

WOW

the weekend

also showing

The Young Victoria (PG)

Blackpool and Cleveleys. Of all the love stories that have defined the British monarchy, none tugs the heartstrings quite like Victoria and Prince Albert. Gorgeous sets and costumes and a haunting orchestral score the film adheres closely to fact – except for their looks.

New In Town (12A)

St Annes and Cleveleys. Ambitious executive Lucy Hill (Renee Zellweger) is sent to troubleshoot in the sticks but slowly finds common ground with the locals, particularly union representative Ted Mitchell (Harry Connick Jr).

The Unborn (15)

Blackpool and Cleveleys. When Casey Beldon suffers disturbing visions and one of her eyes mysteriously changes colour, she discovers she was in fact a twin and her unborn brother is now an evil spirit haunting her waking hours.

TOP CHOICE

nimal lovers will go crazy about David Frankel’s comedy-drama about one man’s journey of self-discovery with a mischievous Labrador, based on the memoir by John Grogan. Adapted for the screen by Scott Frank and Don Roos, Marley & Me collars decent laughs with uproarious interludes as the four-legged central character runs amok in sunny Florida. However, the script plumbs surprising emotional depths too, eliciting strong performances from lead stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston (both above) as a young couple struggling to juggle professional and parental responsibilities. Audiences should cram every pocket with hankies as Frankel’s film is a modern-day Old Yeller, following the relationship between man and his best friend to its natural conclusion. Forget a polite, covert dab to the eyes. Grown men will be reduced to sobbing and snivelling wrecks by the picture’s final frames, which remain the right side of cloying. Newly-weds John and Jenny Grogan (Wilson,

MARLEY AND ME (PG) Rating: 5/10

Aniston) move from Michigan to the subtropical climate of West Palm Beach to pursue parallel careers as journalists and settle down. When fellow reporter Sebastian (Eric Dane) plants a seed of worry in John’s mind about his wife wanting a baby, the husband decides to dodge the bullet by buying Jenny a child substitute: a yellow Labrador pup called Marley. The tiny bundle of fun soon grows into 100 pounds of uncontrollable energy, chewing up anything and everything in John and Jenny’s home, including their clothes and furniture. An expensive necklace has to work its way through the dog’s digestive tract before Jenny can wear it around her neck. The couple labels the pet “the world’s worst dog’’ and hopes an obedience trainer (Kathleen Turner) might be able to instil some discipline. Inevitably, Marley wreaks havoc. “Leg humping is like a virus: once it starts, it takes control

of the group!’’ lambasts the trainer, quickly expelling the Labrador from her group. The experiences compel John to put pen to paper and write a popular column in the local newspaper, to the delight of his cranky editor (Alan Arkin). Marley & Me wrings every chuckle and tear out of its familiar dramatic set-ups. Wilson and Aniston demonstrate impeccable timing but their roles also test their acting mettle as they are driven to the brink of exhaustion by their efforts to raise a family. Arkin brings a roguish charm to his part and Dane is little more than eye candy as the pal who embodies the carefree bachelor lifestyle John happily gives up to be at Jenny’s side. Frankel confidently handles the abrupt shifts in tone, like the couple’s initial attempts to have children, and strikes just the right tone for the heartbreaking final scenes as John looks at his companion and tenderly whispers, “Let me know when it’s time.’’ Only the stone coldest heart – or a cat lover – would fail to be moved.

... and win a bumper Marley and Me prize HAVING shot to the top of the American box office Marley & Me - starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston - is tipped as one of the year’s biggest comedy hits. To celebrate its success, The Weekend is giving away four bumper bundle Marley & Me prize packages. Each pack includes a dog toy, a cuddly

View all the latest movie trailers online

Marley, Marley Pen Marley TShirt and a pair of Odeon tickets All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is correctly answer the following question: Q Jennifer Aniston made her name in which television comedy series? Was it: (a) Cheers (b) Will & Grace or (c) Friends? Answers on a postcard or the back

of a sealed envelope and send to Marley Competition, The Weekend, The Gazette, Avroe House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool FY4 2DP. The closing date is Friday, March 20. Normal Gazette rules apply. Please note - prizes must be collected within two months of receiving winning notification.

Catch them today on www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Watchmen (18)

Blackpool and Cleveleys. Long (162 minutes) and violent - the long awaited film version of Alan Moore’s complicated graphic novel of fading superheroes and masked crime fighters in a politically charged world.

Gran Torino (15)

Blackpool only. Clint Eastwood delivers a tour-deforce performance as a xenophobic war veteran in a powerful tale of modern day vigilantism which examines the clashes of ideals in predominantly white, blue-collar American neighbourhoods, where the ethnic and cultural make-up altered by the influx of immigrants.

The International (15)

Cleveleys only. Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) uncovers evidence of serious infringements within one of the world’s most powerful banks and resolves to bring the institution’s boardroom to justice. However, the men in power will stop at nothing to protect their investments – even murder.

Confessions of a Shopaholic (PG)

All cinemas. Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) is a journalist with a credit cards habit, a shopping addiction and massive debts yet clings on to her apartment, her dream job, Mr Right and the love of family and friends. A cheap and cheerful comedy.

Bolt (U)

3D - Blackpool. 2D all screens. Man’s best friend learns to stand on his own four paws in Byron Howard and Chris Williams’ computer animated comedy, which pokes fun at our obsession with celebrity.

CINEMAS Odeon Cinema, Blackpool: Cinema 4, St Annes: Odeon Cinema, Preston: Vue Cinema, Cleveleys: Dukes Cinema, Lancaster:

0871 2244 007 01253 722620 0871 2244 007 0871 2240 240 01524 598500

the weekend

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Restaurant quality food at pub prices

OU can expect to enjoy restaurant-quality food at pub prices at The Welcome in Vicarage Lane, Blackpool, which is under new management. Each of the three chefs at this familyfriendly hostelry brings the experience of working in a top restaurant in the Fylde, and together, their talents combine to offer an extensive new menu using locally sourced produce. Cheaper than a sandwich are the freshlymade giant Yorkshire puddings filled with liver and onion, chicken chasseur, Cumberland sausage or chef’s stew of the day, plus mashed potatoes and three vegetables at an unbelievable £2.50. Those with hearty appetites can tackle the mammoth mixed grill, which comprises steak, pork chop, lamb chop, sausage, gammon, black pudding, chips, grilled tomato, fried egg and coleslaw – amazing value at £9.95. Lighter meals, plus home-made cakes, desserts plus a range of quality ground coffees are available and there’s a Sunday

roast option every week. Food is served all day until 8pm on Saturday and Sunday and until 9pm from Monday to Friday. Drinks are discounted at The Welcome with Fosters and Marstons Smooth at £1.95 and house doubles at only £2.20. The fantastic live entertainment programme features on Fridays and Saturdays (occasionally on Sundays, too) and tonight top Irish band Thistle will be on stage. There’s a quiz night every Tuesday; children’s play area; heated smoking area; large car park to the rear; cribs, dominoes and darts; pool tables, large private function room for hire and large screen TVs. This week’s live fooball features: March 14: Man Utd v Liverpool – kick off 12.45pm; Arsenal v Blackburn – kickoff 3pm. March 15: Chelsea v Man City – kick-off 1.30pm; Aston Villa v Spurs – kick-off 4pm. March 16: West Ham v West Brom – kick-off 8pm.

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Friday, March 13, 2009

Offers on the table at Twelve THE award winning Twelve restaurant is running its usual Mother’s Day all day fixed priced menu at £19.95 per person for three courses (children under 12 priced at £9.95). The restaurant is open from noon until late on the day – Sunday, March 22. Menu details on www.twelve-restaurant.co.uk After the success of its Friday night Something for the Weekend menu offer during January and February, Twelve is extending the offer from Friday March 20 until Friday May 29. On Fridays between these dates, the set three course Something for the Weekend Menu is available at a special price of £18.95 (not available on entertainment evenings).

Band is back at Bistro

BAND nights are back at Jack’s Bistro in St Annes. On Saturday March 28 and Good Friday April 10 Silhouette will be playing live popular music from the 60s to the present day. The band has played in Jack’s Bistro over the last five years, either side of living and playing successfully in Greece. They came back for the venue’s New Year’s Eve Party. To reserve a table call (01253) 78090 or pop into Jacks Bistro, 54 Wood Street, St Annes.

Lunch date for mums LYTHAM Hall is hosting a traditional three course Mothering Sunday Lunch on March 22. Guests need to arrive at noon for drinks in the Main Hall, before being shown through to the West Wing for lunch at 12.45pm – but are welcome to arrive early for walks around the grounds. The gates close at 4pm. The lunch costs £20 per person and advanced booking is required. For further information contact Lytham Hall on (01253) 736652 or lytham.hall@htnw.co.uk

DUKE’S DIARY

Return visit of guitar star Les With Robin Duke Entertainment Editor

Kite Club favourite has flown from his originally planned appearance at The Raikes Hall in Blackpool and will be landing at Poulton Community Hall tomorrow for Tower Blues, with a welcome return to the Fylde of Les Wilson and The Mighty Houserockers. Les was a favourite of Kite Club founder, the late Mick Schofield, and a frequent and popular visitor to the gathering over the years. Last seen in the area in January last year, Les brings his special brew of rocking slide guitar to the Breck Road venue Les is one of the UK’s best blues guitarists and a fine singer too. Having established The Houserockers in 1981, the band is well known in the UK and Europe and enjoyed a third headline spot at the British Blues Festival at Colne 2004. The Houserockers perform frequently in Holland and Belgium. Les Wilson will be at Poulton Community Hall on Saturday from 9pm (doors open 8.30pm). Tickets are £8. Phone (01253) 890927 to reserve tickets.

WELCOME RETURN: Les Wilson is Tower Blues star The next Tower Blues gig has also moved to Poulton, with Paul Lamb and The Kingsnakes performing at the Community Centre on March 21. It’s then on to The Wyre Bar at The Marine Hall, Fleetwood on

Tubeway drama SCREAMING Theatre, who have been gaining a reputation for contemporary plays, bring Christopher Morgan’s Going Underground for their first to The Continental in Preston tonight. From a woman named after Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, through to a high-flying exec who’s fallen out with his partner and is trying to make it up to her via his mobile

phone, Going Underground is a funny and unusual play about seven individuals who tell their story as the train goes around the Circle Line at rush hour. ■ The Continental, South Meadow Lane, Preston. Telephone: (01772) 499425. Entry £4 – tickets available on the door. More details – www.newcontinental.net

Village hall show

KATE Howden and Paul Jones are back on the road again. Glasson-based singer-songwriters Kate and Paul continue their village hall tour with a concert at Freckleton Village Hall on School Lane in Freckleton tomorrow . Kate and Paul present an

evening of original northerntinged music and banter suitable for all the family. The concerts start at 7.30pm and admission is £6 on the door. For more information see the website www.howdenjones.co.uk or ring (0790) 0258488.

March 26, with the After Hours Blues Band and back to Blackpool the following night, March 27, for Zoot Money at the Grand Theatre’s Lawrence House Studio. Doors 7.30pm, show starts 8pm.

Anniversary biography re-release FORMER local rocker turned writer and music pundit John Robb’s Stone Roses biography is being re-republished to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Roses legendary debut album release. Stone Roses And the Resurrection of British Pop (Ebury Press) was first printed in 1996 and has become a rock book best sellerselling well over 60,000 copies in the UK alone. Former Cleveleys-based Membranes frontman John Robb was an insider on the Manchester scene. Also out in April is John’s latest book The North Will Rise Again ... an oral history of Manchester Music from 1976 to 1996 with 250 interviews and 200,000 words.

the weekend

Austen amuses and entertains Review

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

King Edward and Queen Mary School IMPECCABLE upper-class accents and sustained clarity of speech are the cornerstones of this convincing performance, unfussily staged in the round. Producer Neil Walker shows a clear insight of Austen’s characterisation and draws splendidly individualistic performances from each of his relatively inexperienced cast of 18. Jane Kendall’s skilled adaptation of a 400-page novel places the family dialogue at the heart of the action and here Jenny Luke excels, rolling her eyes and shrieking wonderfully as the overanxious Mrs Bennett. She makes a perfect foil to her long-suffering husband – superbly played by Peter Mackay who revels in his one-liners. The beautifully-spoken performance of Sophie Owen as the snappy Lizzie and the

uninhibited exuberance of Lucy Blundell as the ditzy Lydia are contrastingly entertaining. There is topquality, too, from Olivia Swift, Jessica Pratt and Sarah Wirtz (Jane, Kitty and Mary) and Rose Baulk as the narrating Jane Austen. Jack Ormond-Prout’s charming Mr. Bingley, Oliver Johnson’s brooding Mr. Darcy and Henry Cox, over-the-top as the affected Mr. Collins, make the most of their chances. It’s as different as you can imagine from recent productions of Les Miserables and the Little Shop of Horrors, but the audience is just as richly entertained by Austen’s acute social observation, as well as perhaps surprised by the humour on display throughout a fine production, which ends on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Toby Stirling

■ HAVE your say... write your own review on this event. Simply log on to www.blackpoolgazette. co.uk, click REVIEWS and follow the link

LISTINGS

the weekend

FRIDAY Attractions RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT ODDITORIUM. Wonders of the world and other oddities. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Ocean Boulevard, South Promenade. From 10am daily. BLACKPOOL TOWER. The £3 million Jungle Jim’s Towering Adventureland Victorian Ballroom, Aquarium, Circus and Tower Top Ride (weather permitting). From 10am. Central Promenade, Blackpool. Details (01253) 622242 SEA LIFE CENTRE. Includes the latest attraction Suckers. Golden Mile, Blackpool. Daily from 10am. Details, (01253) 621258. SANDCASTLE WATERPARK. Award winning seafront attraction with its £3.5 million Hyperzone white knuckle area. Weekends and school holidays. The Promenade, South Shore. Details, (01253) 343602. BLACKPOOL ZOO AND DINOSAUR SAFARI. Home to more than 400 animals as well as 32 different dinosaurs. Daily from 10am. East Park Drive, Blackpool. Details (01253) 830830. LOUIS TUSSAUDS WAXWORKS. Brad Pitt and Samuel L Jackson are among the faces in Celeb City. Daily from 10am. Central Promenade, Blackpool. (01253) 625953. FARMER PARR’S ANIMAL WORLD. Rare breeds galore. Wyrefield Farm, Rossall Lane and Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood. Daily, 10am to 5pm. Details, (01253) 874389.

Comedy STAND AND DELIVER. This week’s headliner Dan Nightingale with a Comic Relief special. 53 degrees, Brook Street, Preston. 8pm.

Music CRIMESTOPPERS’ GRAND CHARITY CONCERT. Thornton Brass Band conducted by Stephen Simpson and the Shakespeare Primary School Choir conducted by Carolyn Thackway. Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Blackpool Tower. Doors 6pm for 7pm start. A MUSICAL EVENING. The Elswick Singers with a fund raiser for the church’s Spire Appeal. St Michael’s Church, Kirkham. 7.30pm. FYLDE ARTS MID DAY RECITAL. Second in the new series - Irene Kitt (soprano), Harry Colledge (clarinet) and Marjorie Pennington (piano) with a progreamme of Purcell, Faure, Meyerbeer, Schubert, Paul Reade and Howard Ferguson. Poulton Methodist Church, Queensway, 1pm.

Theatre and shows DISNEY’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Students from Clifton Academy of Dance, Drama and Music present the Disney classic. Our Lady Star of the Sea Social Centre, St Albans Road, St Annes. And Saturday. Also March 20 and 21. THE MIKADO. Preston Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s latest production. Lowther Pavilion, West Beach, Lytham. And Saturday, 7.30pm.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS. Return visit of director Stephen Daldry’s multi award winning adaptation of the JB Priestley classic thriller. Grand Theatre, Church Street, Blackpool. To Saturday, 7.30pm. Saturday matinee, 2pm. Box office, (01253) 290190. DESIGNER BODY. Ballet Lorent presents a cutting edge piece of contemporary dance theatre. The Lowry, Salford Quays, Greater Manchester. And Saturday, 8pm. ROCK ‘N’ ROLL. Regional premiere of Tom Stoppard’s acclaimed play spanning the years 1968 to 1990. Library Theatre, Manchester. To March 14. Box office, (0161) 2367110. MACBETH. Nicholas Gleaves stars in guest director Matthew Dunster’s contemporary take on the gripping Shakespearian tragedy. Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester. Monday to Friday, 7.30pm. Saturday, 8pm. Matinees Wednesday, 2.30pm and Saturday, 4pm. Box office, (0161) 8339833. To April 11. THE CARETAKER. Revival of Harold Pinter’s bleak 1960 classic. The Octagon, Bolton. Monday to Saturday, 7.30pm. Matinees. To March 28. Box office, (01204) 520661.

Pubs and bars THE MEATLOAF SHOW, With Matt Shaw. The Travellers Rest, Beach Road, Cleveleys. THE HEAT. The Victory, Caunce Street, Blackpool. THE DEADBEATS. One of the area’s most popular groups. The Shovels, Common Edge Road, Marton. 9pm. THE BLUE PIG ORCHESTRA. The Hop Inn, Cookson Street, Blackpool. 5th ELEMENT. The King Edward VII, Church Street, Blackpool. RED NOSE OPEN MICROPHONE NIGHT. A showcase for talen and a fund raiser for Comic Relief. Open to all - watch or take part. Windsor & Westmoreland Hotel, North Shore. From 5pm. RUPERT FABULOUS. Rock, punk and metal covers. The Oxford, Oxford Square, Marton. CLAYTON MARK ELVIS TRIBUTE. The Legends star with a solo spot. The Raikes Hall, Liverpool Road, Blackpool. CABARET AND KARAOKE. With Jay Phillips, Rob Johnson, Johnny Roxx and Becky Jay. K2 Bar, Church Street, Blackpool. JIMMY DAY. Back by popular demand. Che Bar, Talbot Square, Blackpool. BIGGEST PARTY IN TOWN. With DJ Damo. Brannigans, Market Street, Blackpool. DAVE GARTHWAITE. Chart, commercial, r ‘n’b and dance. Schofields, Birley Street, Blackpool. FULL ON FRIDAY PARTY NIGHT. Walkabout, Queen Street, Blcckpool. CABARET NIGHT. Resident compere plus guest acts. The Princess Music Hall Tavern, Foxhall Road, Blackpool. Also Saturday. PARTY NIGHT. With resident dj Andy. West Coast Bar, Bispham Road, Cleveleys. From 8pm to 2am.

in thewings

DJ’S GINGE AND TRIGGER. Rumours, Talbot Square, Blackpool. DISCO NIGHT. With djs’ Kudos, Dave G and Aka Ali. From the 60s to current sounds.The Queens, Talbot Road, Layton. R&B TO OLD SCHOOL. Chubby’s Bar, 94-98 The Promenade, Blackpool. Free admission. IAN CALVERT and SCOTT WALKER. Party, pop chart and dance music. The Edge, Hardhorn Road, Poulton. And Saturday. SOUL NIGHT. Soul, Motown, Philadelphia and Northern with DJ John Miles. Plus live acts. Soul Suite, Queen Square, Queen Street, Blackpool. DAVE WARD ROADSHOW. Latest releases, chart and classic hits. The Ship & Royal, Clifton Street, Lytham. 8pm to midnight. DISCO NIGHT. With Papa Greywolf. Bay Horse Hotel, Station Road, Thornton. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. The Royal, Marton Drive, Marton. ROY LYNCH. Radio Wave presenter in residence. The Loft Wine Bar & Nightclub, Lofthouse Way, Fleetwood. DISCO NIGHT. Halfway House, St Annes Road, Squires Gate. DJ NIGHT. Whittle Springs, Talbot Road, Blackpool. And Saturday.

Karaoke THE K FACTOR. Leading to an April 10 final. £1,000 in prize money plus professional contract. Hosted by DJ Naydene. Entry free. The Swift Hound, Rigby Road, Blackpool. 9pm. KARAOKE PARTY TIME. With host Steve. The Duke of York, Dickson Road, Blackpool. From 8.30pm. KARAOKE PARTY NIGHT. Choose from over 50,000 songs. The Cherry Blossom Hotel, Warley Road, North Shore. From 9.30pm. JJ’S KARAOKE. The Excelsior, Lytham Road, South Shore. 8.30pm. CAROLOKE. Disco, fun and karaoke with Carol Hartwell. Last Orders, Trunnah Road, Thornton. TOP NIGHT KARAOKE. With resident host Robbie. The Links, Heeley Road, St Annes. KARAOKE DISCO. Over 40,000 tracks. The Sandpiper, Cleveleys Avenue, Cleveleys. KARAOKE NIGHT. Plus comedy from Janice Yorke. The Old Bridge Cabaret Pub, Lytham Road, South Shore. KARAOKE. Knobby’s Bar, West Street, Blackpool. From 7pm to late. BILLY’S SINGALONG KARAOKE. The Plough, Chain Lane, Staining. KARAOKE. With DJ Marki. The Rose & Crown, Corporation Street, Blackpool. 8pm. KARAOKE AND FUN QUIZ. With the Canny Man. Progress Sports & Social Club, Exchange Street, Blackpool. 8pm midnight. KARAOKE. Jaggy Thistle, York Street, Blackpool. Noon to 2am. RAGIN’ BULL KARAOKE ROADSHOW. The Albert, Lytham Road, South Shore.

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk FUN KARAOKE. Over 5000 song titles discounted drinks for singers. The Dickens, Princess Road, Cleveleys. 8.30pm. KARAOKE & ENTERTAINMENT. With Cliff - £100 prize money plus bingo. Burn Naze Hotel, Gamble Road, Thornton. KARAOKE. The Victoria, Dock Street, Fleetwood. To 1am.

Quiz nights BIG MICK’S FUN QUIZ. The Squirrel, Bispham Road, Bispham. QUIZ NIGHT. With Barrie and Jean. Hampton Road Club, South Shore.

Folk and country THE LENNE ROCKERS. Star night. Fort San Antone, Great Birchwood Country Music Park, Lytham Road, Warton. THISTLE. Home grown Irish talent. The Welcome Inn, Marton. CRAOBH RUA. Belfast’s finest fuse Irish and Celtic music. The Platform, Station Buildings, Morecambe. 8pm.

Nightclubs ANDY J’s FEELGOOD NIGHT. Start the weekend with a plus - free admission with flyer, drinks £1.50 until midnight. The Residence, Vicarage Road, Poulton. URBAN UNDERGROUND. DJ Fontalba with r&b, reggae and more. Hush, Talbot Square, Blackpool. From 10pm to 4am.

Cabaret CABARET NIGHT. Host Leye D. Johns, the Storm Showgirls plus guest Keily Hampson. The Alabama, Blackpool. A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS AND MORE. Back by popular demand - music from West End performer Vickee Lester. Champagne Bar, September’s Champagne Bar & Restaurant, Queen Street, Blackpool.

Rock, blues and pop LIMEHOUSE LIZZY. Thin Lizzy tribute band back in action. The Dome, Morecambe. 8pm. THE ALL STARS 60s MUSIC WEEKEND. Live music from The Dreamers, The Fourmost and The Ivy League. The Norbreck Castle Hotel, Queens Promenade, Norbreck. Evening. ROCK AND ROLL PARTY NIGHT. With guest bands. Theatre Bar, Queens Hotel, The Promenade, South Shore.

Social clubs JANE HARVEY. Stanley Road WMC, S Blackpool. Details, (01253) 621168. RIK STEVENS. Duple Social Club, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341647. DOMINIC. Brun Grove WMC and Institute, , Blackpool. Details, (01253) 762186. SHEILA DIAMOND. Layton Institute, Westcliffe Drive. Details, (01253) 391774. JOE BLACK. Claremont Conservative Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 620981. THE JOE WILDY SHOWBAND. Blackpool’s Number One Club. (01253) 346516. MIKE ALONE. Bloomfield Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 344583. BILLY WALKER. Hotels and Apartments Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 623784. MARTIN GABRIEL. North Shore WMC, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 627974. JOHN F KELLY. Cleveleys Men’s Club. Details, (01253) 853219. PAMELA JAYMES. Brunswick Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 624208. AZTEC. Bispham Con. Club, Red Bank Road, Bispham. Details, (01253) 357519. TOM COLLINS. St Annes Ex-Servicemens Club. Details, (01253) 721033. DEAN RICHARDS. Highfield Road & Rec., South Shore. Details, (01253) 342389. CHRIS FARRELL. Thornton Cleveleys Wings Club. Details (01253) 852709.

Others PRE-BONDS RAMBLERS. A hot pot and digital presentation with Lakeland climber Henry Iddon’s illustrated talk - Spots of Time. The Clubhouse, Shepherd Road, St Annes. 7.30pm.

SATURDAY Pop, rock and blues THE MIGHTY HOUSEROCKERS. Community Centre, Breck Road, Poulton. THE HOLLIES. Latest version of the legendary line-up. Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston. 7.45pm BUDDY HOLLY’S WINTER DANCE PARTY. 50th anniversary tour. The Dome, Morecambe. 8pm. THE ALL STARS 60s MUSIC WEEKEND. Live music from The 60s Allstars (afternoon). Then - Swinging Blue Jeans, Vanity Fare and Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich (evening). The Norbreck Castle Hotel, Queens Promenade, Norbreck. THE HAMSTERS. Veteran touring band with their tributes to Jimi Hendrix amd ZZ Top. The Platform, Morecambe. 8pm.

Pubs and bars KATIE JAY. The Links, Heeley Road, St Annes.

FYLDE COAST AMATEUR DRAMATICS WITH LISA ETTRIDGE

Mikado’s in town

Stage set for a popular thriller

A TOURING group from Preston performs a Gilbert and Sullivan favourite on the Fylde stage tonight and tomorrow. THE PRODUCERS Preston Gilbert and Sullivan Premier Theatre Society present the final night Company of Mikado (The Town of Titipu) Blackpool Grand Theatre at Lowther Pavilion, Lytham. July 7-12 The comic opera in two acts (01253) 290190 opens in the Japanese town of Titipu. It follows the adventures of wandering musiher former guardian are about to be marcia, Nanki-Poo who is in search of the maidried that day. en Yum-Yum with who he is in love. The story follows the couple as they Yum-Yum, however, is betrothed to her experience a number of agonising guardian Ko-Ko who narrowly escaped death matrimonial dilemmas before the story is on a charge of flirting. finally resolved. The musician learns that his beloved and Company spokesman Alistair Milner said:

CLEVELEYS Windmill Players will perform Francis Durbridge’s thriller Suddenly At Home at Thornton Little Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, May 5-9. A group spokeswoman said: “We were really pleased with how well our last production of the Curious Savage went. “The reaction from the audience was extremely positive but now rehearsals are well

Diary date

“Our group always performs in Blackpool – we have been doing so for quite a few years. “Then we do a week at the Preston Playhouse followed by three nights at Lowther Pavilion. “We get a very good turnout to our shows normally and are hoping this year will be even better as Mikado is so

popular. “The run in Preston went very well. I hope Lowther willl be just as successful so we can come back next year.” The show is at Lowther at 7.30pm tonight and tomorrow. Tickets are available by calling (01253) 658666.

■ Ring Lisa Ettridge with am dram news on 361729 ● email lisa.ettridge@blackpoolgazette.co.uk

under way for our next project. “We chose Suddenly At Home as we know Francis Durbridge is a very popular author and wanted to try a thriller so we are offering a wide variety of shows to our audience. We hope they will continue to support us as always. Tickets priced £6 go on sale from JK News Victoria Road West, Cleveleys from Tuesday

LISTINGS

Friday, March 13, 2009 TRIDENT. Hard working hard sounding band. The Sandpiper, Cleveleys. THE BLUE PIG ORCHESTRA. The Town Hall, Market Place, Poulton. BADLOOK. The Steamer, Fleetwood. SLY EARNER. 70s rock show. Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood. SOUL NIGHT. Guest djs Dave Rostron and Tony Greenwood plus resident Jem Booth. Motown, Northern Soul and modern. Central Club, Blackpool. 8pm to late. BARE FEET. The King Edward VII, Church Street, Blackpool. THE GOOD MACHINE. Rock, pop, punk and indie covers. The Oxford, Marton. GROOVEBREAKER. The Raikes Hall, Liverpool Road, Blackpool. DAVE STARKEY. Comedy vocalist. The Burn Naze, Gamble Road, Thornton. 80s & 90s DISCO. With Steve Lindsay. Traveller’s Rest, Beach Road, Cleveleys. DEREK LOYNDS. Sounds of swing and the American songbook. Champagne Bar, September’s Champagne Bar & Restaurant, Queens Street, Blackpool. CABARET AND KARAOKE. With Jay Phillips, Rob Johnson, Johnny Roxx and Becky Jay. K2 Bar, Blackpool. THE JOE WILDY SHOWBAND. Weekly residency. Theatre Bar, Queens Hotel, The Promenade, South Shore. BIGGEST PARTY IN TOWN. With DJ Paul O’Brien. Brannigans, Blackpool. DAVE WARD ROADSHOW. Disco night latest releases, chart and classic hits. The Ship & Royal, Lytham. 8pm to midnight. JIMMY DAY. Back by popular demand. Che Bar, Talbot Square, Blackpool. DAVE GARTHWAITE. Chart, commercial, r ‘n’b and dance. Schofields, Blackpool. CABARET NIGHT. Guest acts weekly. The Princess Music Hall Tavern, Foxhall Road, Blackpool. Also Friday. PARTY NIGHT. With resident dj Andy. West Coast Bar, Cleveleys. From 8pm to 2am. R&B NIGHT. With DJ Benji. Chubby’s Bar, 9498 The Promenade, Blackpool. Free admission. To 3am. IAN CALVERT and SCOTT WALKER. Party, pop chart and dance. The Edge, Hardhorn Road, Poulton. And Friday. 70s/80s NIGHT. With DJ Dex. The Gynn, Gynn Square, North Shore. DJ GLENN MILLER. Party soul and disco plus live acts. Soul Suite, Queen Square, Queen Street, Blackpool. COLIN JON. Party night. Rumours, Talbot Square, Blackpool. POP QUIZ. Music through the decades. The Fairhaven, Ansdell. From 9pm. FAMILY NIGHT. Music and games for all the family. Progress Sports & Social Club, Blackpool. 8pm - midnight. DJ NIGHT. Whittle Springs, Talbot Road, Blackpool. And Friday. THE LAZZY BAND. The Old Bank Inn, Bond Street, South Shore. From 9pm. JOEY BLOWER’S COMEDY SHOW. Full sports programme folled by Joey’s show. The Merrie England, North Pier, Blackpool. From noon. Admission free.

Theatre and shows See listings for Friday.

Karaoke KARAOKE COMPETITION NIGHT. Halfway House, St Annes Road, Squires Gate. KARAOKE. Sing like the stars. The Gardeners Arms, Thornton. 8.30pm. KARAOKE PARTY TIME. With host Steve. The Duke of York, Dickson Road, Blackpool. From 8.30pm. KARAOKE PARTY NIGHT. Choose from over 50,000 songs. The Cherry Blossom Hotel, North Shore. From 9.30pm. KARAOKE NIGHT. The Royal, Marton. KARAOKE. Knobby’s Bar, West Street, Blackpool. From 7pm to late. RAGIN’ BULL KARAOKE ROADSHOW. The Albert, South Shore. And Friday. KARAOKE/DISCO. Plus jackpot bingo. The Tank, Preston Street, Fleetwood. KARAOKE. The Victoria, Dock Street, Fleetwood. To 1am.

Cabaret CABARET NIGHT. Host Leye D. Johns, the Storm Showgirls plus guest Scott Gallagher. The Alabama, Cocker Square, Blackpool.

the weekend

WEEKEND CHOICE The Hamsters Morecambe Dome

SOME of the many Blackpool fans of the hard working blues and rock band The Hamsters will travellto Morecambe on Saturday to catch their first appearance in two years at The Platform. Celebrating their 22nd anniversary and more than 4,000 gigs the band will be featuring its tribute to the music of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top. The band last released a new three-hour live double DVD set last September titled Curse Of the Killer Hamsters! and the title track to their Route 666 album is to be used in a forthcoming comedy-horror movie titled Stag Night Of The Dead. They are also appearing in a new three-hour DVD docu-

mentary about the Fender Stratocaster titled Strat Masters. Some other players featured in the film are Ry Cooder, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, Chris Rea, Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Robert Cray and Rory Gallagher.

Nightclubs ANDY J. Resident dj in residence. The Residence, Vicarage Street, Poulton. URBAN ON ICE. DJ Fontalba with urban, real r&b, hip hop, reggae and more. Hush, Talbot Square, Blackpool. From 10pm 4am. IAMSTEREO. The brainchild of Hed Kandi and Pukka Up honcho Rob Wilder makes its Blackpool debut. Plus Hush Ibiza’s Jim Deja. The Syndicate, , Blackpool.

Music FYLDE CONCERT ORCHESTRA. Concert of light classical and popular music. St Cuthbert’s Church, Lytham. 7.30pm.

Folk, country & Irish CHRIS AND SIOBHAN NELSON. Former Cluster of Nuts members presented by Friends of Folk. Plus Barry Wake. The Lounge Bar, Charter Theatre, Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston. 8pm. THISTLE. Home grown Irish music talent. The Station Tavern, Lytham. HOWDENJONES. Kate Howden and Paul Jones with their roots music and banter. Freckleton Village Hall, Freckleton. 7.30pm.

Social clubs PETER HOLDEN. The Wainwright Club, Hornby Road, Blackpool. JAMES MARSH. Stanley Road WMC, lackpool. Details, (01253) 621168. SALTY. Duple Social Club, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341647. SHAUN DEE. Brun Grove WMC and Institute, Blackpool. (01253) 762186. JOHN MALCOLM. Hampton Road Social, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341508. RON DAVIES and DAVE KNIGHT. Layton Institute, Westcliffe Drive. (01253) 391774. PHIL DE VERE. Comrades of the Great War Club (Blackpool) LKtd, 116 Adelaide Street, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 625841. ALAN TIFFIN. Claremont Conservative Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 620981. DARREN THOMAS and NICKY NEWSOME. Blackpool’s Number One Club. Details, (01253) 346516. VICARIO and NIPPER THOMAS. Bloomfield Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 344583. KARL HEYWARD. Hotels and Apartments Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 623784. DAVID WAINWRIGHT. North Shore WMC, Cross Street. Details, (01253) 627974. JANE GRAY. Blackpool Trades and Social Club Details, (01253) 622580. HARRY GEE. Blackpool Central Bowling and Social Clubl. Details, (01253) 341145. GEORGE PAUL. Thornton Cleveleys Royal British Legion. Details, (01253) 852450.

With a national mailing list exceeding 20,000, The Hamsters are established as the UK’s premier bluesrock attraction. Originally forming for their own amusement (and taking their name from the

DAVID JAMES and BILLY FLYWHEEL. Cleveleys Men’s Club. (01253) 853219. DANNY WILSON. Brunswick Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 624208. JEAN BARROW. Bispham Con. Club, Red Bank Road. Details, (01253) 357519. ROBBIE BEST. St Annes Ex-Servicemens Club, Alexandra Road. (01253) 721033. DAVE SURMAN. St Annes Conservative Club. Details, (01253) 723471. CROWN TOP KINGS. Highfield Road & Rec.,South Shore. Details, (01253) 342389. JAYDON ROBERTS. Blackpool Catholic Club, 30 Queen Street. (01253) 622979. BECKY JAY. Thornton Cleveleys Wings Club. Details (01253) 852709. TRACEY JORDAN. Knott End WMC, Salisbury Avenue. Details, (01253) 810362. LEE THOMAS. Willows Catholic, Kirkham. Details, (01253) 682195. CABARET NIGHT. Weekly guest. Thornton Cleveleys Wings Club. (01253) 852709.

SUNDAY Theatre and shows GORDON SMITH. An evening of mediumship. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. 7.30pm.

Rock, pop and jazz THE ALL STARS 60s MUSIC WEEKEND. Live music from The Union Gap (afternoon). Then The Temple Brothers, Play Everly, Brian Poole & The Electrix plus Herman’s Hermits (evening). The Norbreck Castle Hotel, Queens Promenade, Norbreck. Evening. FLIP. Replacing Mike Lovell for the week with a session of rock, pop and fun. Art Deco Café, Stanley Park, Blackpool. Afternoon. ALL THAT JAZZ. Weekly live music session. North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood. JAZZ ON A SUNDAY. Weekly live music session. The Bourne Arms, Bourne May Road, Knott End. 3 - 6pm.

Music SUNDAY AFTERNOON MUSIC RECITAL. Pupils and friends of the Michael Hall Theatre School present an afternoon of art, song and chamber music. The Michael Hall Theatre School, Preston New Road, Marton. 3pm. ANTHONY KING. Lunchtime music to accompany lunch. Westerfields Restaurant, North Euston Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood.

Pubs and bars FRANK FLYNN AND GUESTS. Weekly afternoon free admission live music. The Shovels, Hambleton. 3 - 6pm.

Sex Pistols, who once used it as a pseudonym to outwit hostile councils), The Hamsters enjoy the irony of being an aggressive band with a cuddly name. Call the venue box office on (01524) 582803.

TRIDENT. Hard working hard sounding band. The Lane Ends, Marton. NICK UNLIMITED. Rock and blues. The Empress, Blackpool. 2 - 6pm. TONY MITCHELL. In acoustic mood. The Steamer, Queens Terrace, Fleetwood. 1-3pm. IAN HOOPER AND PAUL DOBIE. Two of the area’s most popular singers and musicians in weekly session. The Edge, Hardhorn Road, Poulton. 8pm. JOEY BLOWER’S COMEDY SHOW. Full sports programme folled by Joey’s show. The Merrie England, North Pier, Blackpool. From noon. Admission free. LIVE MUSIC. Guest acts weekly. The Cube, Breck Road, Poulton. DJ NORRIE. Party night. Rumours, Talbot Square, Blackpool. OPEN MIC NIGHT. Take your own instruments. Free admission. Drinks promotions. The Blue Room, Church Street, Blackpool. From 8pm. SOUL AND MOTOWN. WIth DJ Glenn Miller. Soul Suite, Queen Square, Queen Street, Blackpool. MISS PATRICIA’S MUSIC HALL. Theatre Bar, Queens Hotel, The Promenade, South Shore. 1 - 5pm. CABARET NIGHT. Different act weekly.Theatre Bar, Queens Hotel, The Promenade, South Shore. 8.30pm to midnight. BINGO AND FIND THE JOKER. Minimum cash prize of £50. The Golden Eagle, Anchorsholme. 3.30pm. DISCO/KARAOKE. Plus Skint Or Mint. The Tank, Preston Street, Fleetwood. FAMILY FUN DAY. DJ Sean Whitham with karaoke, party hits and more. The Royal Oak, Breck Road, Poulton. Noon to 4pm. POKER NIGHT. The Royal,Marton. THE MEATLOAF SHOW, With Matt Shaw. The George Hotel, Kirkham.

Quiz nights QUIZ AND MUSIC. With Phil and Dawn. Traveller’s Rest, Beach Road, Cleveleys. FREE QUIZ. With the Dave Ward Roadshow. Weekly prizes The Ship & Royal, Clifton Street, Lytham. 9 - 11pm. QUIZ NIGHT. Beer giveaway and £50 bonus question. The Excelsior, Lytham Road, South Shore. 8.45pm. FUN PUB QUIZ NIGHT. With the Caroloke Zone. Last Orders, Thornton. QUIZ DAY. Plus bingo and Play Your Cards Right with compere Joe Gordon. The Victoria, Dock Street, Fleetwood. From 5pm. QUIZ NIGHT. With Paul Gee plus Play Your Cards Right. The Links, Heeley Road, St Annes. QUIZ NIGHT. Plus The Accumulator. Presented by Danny. The Belle Vue, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool. FUN QUIZ NIGHT. Plus meat raffle and Name That Tune. Hosted by Trigger. The

QUIZ AND CHARITY FUN QUIZ NIGHT. Weekly quiz, fortnightly fund raiser for Brian House Children’s Hospice. Blackpool Catholic Club, Queen Street, Blackpool. QUIZ NIGHT. Including general knowledge and music rounds. Also Open The Box. The Mere Park Hotel, Preston Old Road, Marton. STEVE M’s SUNDAY QUIZ NIGHT. General knowledge, pop, rollovers - hosted by Steve Mulligan. The Mount Hotel, Fleetwood. QUIZ NIGHT. Plus Open the Safe. Cash prizes to be won. Gardeners Arms, Thornton. PETE’S QUIZ & MUSIC. With prizes. The Clarence, Marton. 8.45pm LANDLORD’S GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ. 40 weekly general knowledge questions in the new look pub. The Boot & Shoe, Elswick. 9pm. BEER AND CASH QUIZ. Chance to win £50 bonus prize. Dog & Partridge, Lytham Road, South Shore. MUSIC QUIZ. Plus Guess the Key. Raikes Hall Hotel, Blackpool. From 8.30pm. QUIZ NIGHT. The Admiral, St Annes Road West, St Annes. FAMILY FORTUNES QUIZ. Devonshire Arms, Devonshire Road, North Shore. From 9.30pm.

Talent shows THE WHITTLE’S GOT TALENT. Early doors weekly search a star - £50 to the winner. Open to all. Whittle Springs (The Victoria), Talbot Road, Blackpool. 5 - 8pm.

Karaoke FUN KARAOKE. With race night and quiz. The Duke of York, Blackpool. From 8.30pm. KARAOKE. With guest DJ. The Royal Oak, Poulton. Free admission. From 8pm. KARAOKE NIGHT. The Old Bridge, Lytham Road, South Shore. 8.30pm. CLIFF’S KARAOKE. The Steamer, Queens Terrace, Fleetwood. KARAOKE. Knobby’s Bar, West Street, Blackpool. From 7pm. KARAOKE. King Edward VII, Central Drive, Blackpool. From 8pm. FAMILY KARAOKE. The Hansom Cab, Station Road, Lytham. 4 - 7pm. AFTERNOON KARAOKE. With Michael. Thornton Cleveleys Wings Club, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys. 3 - 5pm. KARAOKE. Frenchman’s Cove, South King Street, Blackpool. KARAOKE NIGHT. More than 3,000 tunes. The Regal Hotel, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys. Also Thursday, 8pm. KARAOKE NIGHT. Weekly session. The Victoria, Church Road, St Annes. KARAOKE/DISCO. Plus Skint Or Mint. The Tank, Preston Street, Fleetwood.

Irish, folk and country IRISH MUSIC SESSION. All welcome to play or listen to the lively music. The Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood. 8.30pm. COUNTRY AND WESTERN NIGHT. Live music, shoot outs, bucket draw. Hampton Road Club, South Shore. COUNTRY AND WESTERN NIGHT. Guest acts. Progress Sports & Social Club, Exchange Street, Blackpool. 7.30pm.

Social clubs GEOFF ON THE ORGAN. Duple Social Club, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341647. DARREN THOMAS. Brun Grove WMC and Institute, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 762186. BILLY STEVENS. Hampton Road Social, South Shore. Details, (01253) 341508. ALAN BARKER SHOWCASE. Layton Institute, Westcliffe Drive. (01253) 391774. TONY G FORD. Talbot Club, 46 Milbourne Street, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 624305. DEAN RICHARDS (Noon), IRENE LEE (Evening). Bloomfield Club, Blackpool. Details, (01253) 344583. DANNY MCCOY. Blackpool Trades and Social Club. Details, (01253) 622580. JOHN DEE. Blackpool Central Bowling and Social Club. Details, (01253) 341145. DEREK JONES. Thornton Cleveleys Royal British Legion. Details, (01253) 852450. FRANKLYN. Cleveleys Men’s Club, Slinger Road, Cleveleys. Details, (01253) 853219. MAGGIE ON KEYBOARD. Stanley Road WMC, Stanley Road, Blackpool. (01253) 621168.

the weekend