NE Online Magazine Issue 70 - HOOK-ing up with Darren & Steve by Wayne Groves

Welcome Note.

Sadly due to illness and other things getting in the way, we did not manage to put out an August issue, so apologies to anyone who missed out on a feature, we will make it up to you. Hopefully we are back on track.

As always, if you have something you want to see in a future issue then don’t forget to drop us an email to wayne.groves@neonlinemagazine. com

Plus remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram for our regular updates on events and competitions.

Till next time

Take care

Wayne

EDITOR & DESIGNER

Wayne Groves wayne.groves@neonlinemagazine.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Peter Mann BSc

Inside Mann Media & PR insidemannmedia.wordpress.com petermann78@hotmail.com

Madhouse Media www.madhousemedia.co.uk

{THIS} {ISSUE}

P6 - The Funhouse Twins Melanie & Martina

P14 – India Arkin

P21 – Ed Byrne Tragedy Plus Time

P22 – Hook-ing Up With Darren & Steve

P29 – A Real Family Panto

P36 - Boldon Cineworld Round-Up

P50 – Peter’s Book Tails

P56 – Daisy Donald

P62 – Leverage Clothing

P66 - Playhouse Whitley Bay

P72 – Sunderland AFC Heroes’ Week

P78 - Tyne Theatre & Opera House Round-Up

P84 - The World Famous Elvis Show

P88 - LEEE JOHN and IMAGINATION

P90 - Mark Thomas Gaffa Tapes

P92 - TOYAH and ROBERT - CHRISTMAS PARTY

MELANIE & Martina the twins MELANIE & Martina twins the

Hi Martina and Melanie, welcome to NE. Teenage me would never have dreamt that I’d be speaking to the Funhouse Twins, but here we are chatting ahead of your appearance at Nerd Fright Fest. For those who may not know Funhouse can you please introduce yourself and tell them a bit about you?

Hi, I’m Melanie red team, And I’m Martina yellow team, “the best! Ha ha

So did you both expect to still be

so popular and still doing events as the Funhouse Twins over 20 years later?

We started Fun House when we were 16 and filmed for 11 years, it’s totally Bonkers that from the 1st time Fun House was aired, now 35 years on it’s still remembered.

We were so luck to be part of an iconic kids C.I.T.V. show!

Why do you think Funhouse has remained so popular after all of these years?

I would say the whole concept of the show with gunge & go carts was unique for its time, and the holidays and prizes, no other shows were giving that away! And of course us!!!!!! Hee hee And Pat, our relationship was special and the bond was all natural, we really did like each other. Not in that way!

What was Pat Sharp like to work

with and are you still in touch?

We loved Pat from the first time we met, he had our sense of humour, we clicked straight away. We still see him, not as much as we would like as our schedules don’t always work, We love him so much he’s like our brother!

We are still in touch, we’ve done the occasional gig with him. And we message each other a lot.

What are your favourite memories of doing the show?

The money!!!! Hee hee No honesty when we were nominated for a national television show!

I threw gunge in a boys face because he didn’t want to get messy, I mean how can you go on the gungiest show & not get gunged.

What was the worst thing about doing the show?

When we had contestants with tricky school or places names, omg getting them right was tricky! We only had to remember a few lines

Have you had any strange or weird requests from fans since doing the

show?

We’ve been asked to show our belly buttons in a video request before.

Melanie breaks into song..... “We would do anything for money..... But we won’t do that”.

You have appeared in plenty of other things over the years, from Monty Python, Batman, The Bill and Soccer AM, but what has been your favourite?

Fun house of course.....

However we are doing the Nerd Fright Fest so that could be our favourite.

You have also released the album ATT a Twin Thing in Japan first

and then worldwide later, how did that come about?

We were recording songs while we were filming funhouse and then got approached by a manager who had a recording deal to offer us. We went into a studio recorded some records that then turned into our Album A.T. T. A twin thing, Melanie...... it happened so quickly, and it was the best! We reached NO 1 in Japan and filmed our video out there too!

What was the best thing and worst thing about it?

Getting to No 1 was the best! Not getting a record deal in the UK!

So singing, stage, tv and film, but

which do you prefer doing the most?

We are very lucky to have done all of this. We appeared in west end musicals Annie, Sound of Music, and Bugsy Mallone, going to Austria and making the record we couldn’t ask for more.... Yes we could, we would love to do strictly!

What are you both up to these days?

Apart from personal appearances?

I work at a popular, ok the largest seaside Wetherspoons.

I work part time for Clarins UK. I’ve been working with the skin care brand for 15 year..... I love it.

Tell us a random facts about yourself?

I have a son with Downs syndrome & my daughter is a profes-

sional child model @modelmabel.15 since she was 6 months old.

Is Nerd Fright Fest your first comic con type of event or have you done these kind of appearances before?

It’s our very first Fright Fest & we cannot wait, it’s going to be so much fun #awholelottafun

Where can people follow you and keep up to date with you both? You can follow us on Instagram @funhousetwins2 where you can request personal appearances and

video messages direct through us.

We look forward to seeing you at Nerd Fright Fest. Thank you cannot wait.

The twins wwill be appearing at Nerd Fright Fest on Sunday 20th October at Parks Sports Centre, Howdon Road North Shields NE29 6TL at 10am-4pm

For more info and updates you can find them on facebook https:// www.facebook.com/NerdFrightFest

Click here to book tickets!

SOUTH TYNESIDE

Hi India, welcome to NE, can you please introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is India Arkin, I am a indie-singer-song-writer based in Newcastle, UK! Following my move up north, when I came up to study Fine Art at University, I quickly found myself thrown into the whirlwind that is the NE music scene, loving every minute of it.. I began my musical career.

For those who don’t know you, you are a very talented musician who boasts the honour of being the first person signed to HMV and you have made quite the mark having your songs played regularly on BBC Introducing North East and BBC Introducing

Tees. How has it been for you since those things happened?

Thank you so much for the kind words, it has been non stop beautiful chaos since then aha - we have had some amazing opportunities over the last year from supporting Tom Grennan, to touring with The Feeling, to headlining our first international festival “Left Of The Dial” twice, to our first ever national headline tour - that was a near sell out! Its been an amazing year, full of excitement, new faces, old faces..and a lot of time on the road!

Being signed to HMV is a huge deal, how did it all come about? Truly, it was such a surprise

the way it all came about. I was actually away visiting my family in Cyprus at the time when I got a call from a lovely gentleman called Ritch from HMV Newcastle, saying that he urgently needed to speak to me. On that call he informed me that I had been chosen to be the first ever person to be signed to HMV’s new label, 1921 Records, but on one condition...that I have an album ready in 8 days, and of course, I said yes!

As you can imagine, trying to make an album in 8 daysespecially when you’re stuck abroad for 4 of those 8 days - is near impossible, but through a million calls with both my band

mates and my producer we did it by some miracle. The entire experience was just unreal. I had an amazing experience releasing my album with them, but am now back on my journey as an independent artist and loving every minute of that too!

How does it feel to hear your music played on the radio?

Still, so crazy! We were a big radio family as a kid so it really puts everything into context hearing your song played on radio. I feel so honoured.

You have just released your first single of 2024 called “Senseless”, tell us a bit more about the song and how it came to life?

Senseless is all about dating someone who you know is bad for you, which in this current world of tinder hell, I’m sure is something a lot of us can relate to. It is the perfect encapsulation of rage, lust and catharsis, sprinkled in ethereal vocals and epic guitar solos.

For some people writing music and songs comes easy, for others it can be a lengthy hard fight, how do you find the whole process and what is the best or worst part of it all?

I feel like for me the best songs always come all at once, when you are in a state of flow and it all just ends up pouring out of you. I definitely also go through creative dry spells, but I try not to worry too much about it as these things always come back around, through it can be incredibly frustrating at times. I find I write best when I feel like I’m “emotionally full”, as I use song-writing as a personal form of catharsis! Honestly, the best part of writing is when you have a physicalization of what you’re feeling in sonic form. Listening back to it once it’s complete is a weirdly freeing and liberating process.

How did you first get into music? I first, properly, got into making music in the summer of 2018,

I met a load of musicians in St Albans and was so amazed to be surrounded by such creative people, and felt so inspired to do this for myself. So when I moved to university in Newcastle, I joined my first band - originally as a rhythm guitarist funnily enough - and then our vocalist never showed up to our first meet so I stepped up, and from there I really found my love of singing (and never stopped since aha).

Later covid happened, and so our band kind of fell apart with it, but I was still adamant on making music, so I decided to start my solo project, and I’ve never looked back!

Who would you say have been your inspirations over the years? I draw inspiration from an ever evolving range of places, but my current inspirations are The Last Dinner Party, Alice Phoebe Lou, Wolf Alice and early Matilda Mann.

What advice would you give to someone who is passionate about music or performing and maybe looking to follow in your footsteps?

Start, just start! The hardest part is beginning, but the best thing you can possibly do is put yourself out there, go meet people, connect, make contacts, build a community - and don’t get too bummed out by how often you get rejected, especially at the beginning, because it’s truly not personal. The right people will always find you!

If you could work with or sing with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?

Matilda Mann, for sure! I’ve been a massive fan for years and years, having first listened to her just after she released her debut EP “If That Makes Sense” in 2020, and have followed along ever since. I think the way she captures intimacy with her vocal nuances and lyricism is outstanding and I would absolutely love to collaborate with her.

Now here is the tough question, who would you say was your all time favourite artist or band?

Again, probably Matilda Mann aha!

And your favourite song or album?

So hard to pick an alltime favourite, but I love CHILDCARE’s album “Wabi Sabi”, it’s a phenomenal piece of musicianship, and in terms of favourite song..I love Lucy Dacus’ “Night Shift”, it actually inspired a lot of choices I made in my debut single “Dashboard Dancing”.

When you are not busy making music, what do you like to do with your free time?

I am originally a Fine Artist, and I have actually just graduated from studying Fine Art, specialising in Ceramics. Just arty things all round haha!

Tell us three random facts about yourself?

1. I attended a circus school.

2. I have synaesthesia.

3. I have a deep love for hot water bottles haha!

Where can people listen to your new single?

On ALL major streaming platforms..Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, you name it, we are probably on it!

And of course follow you and keep up to date with everything India Arkin?

You can keep up to date with me and my project at the following links:

Website: www.indiaarkin.com

Instagram: @india.arkin

Facebook: @indiaarkinmusic

Twitter: @indiaarkin

Tik Tok: @indiaarkin

One of the UK’s favourite TV household names extends his nationwide tour of his Best Reviewed Show at this year’s Fringe, and his most personal show to date, to December 2024!

From the quote attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as Tragedy Plus Time. Come and join one of our leading laugh specialists as he tests that formula by mining the most tragic

event in his life for laughs. With his TV career now in its third decade, Ed has regularly appeared on the likes of QI, Mock The Week, Alan Davies As Yet Untitled, The Pilgrimage, Dara and Ed’s Road to Mandalay, Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure, The Graham Norton Show and Have I Got News For You, as well as hosting Live At The Apollo and Comic Relief Bake Off. He was recently seen as a contestant on BBC One’s Celebrity Best Home

Cook (where he made it to show 5 out of 8 – not bad!) and he has also won (yes, won!) celebrity versions of both The Chase and Pointless!

Known for his passion for the outdoors (hill walking and mountaineering are major hobbies), Ed can be seen turning his presenting skills to factual broadcasting in BBC Two’s Volcano Live, World’s Most Dangerous Roads (where he spent two weeks driving through Siberia) and Into The Wild with Gordon Buchanan.

With legions of fans both in the UK and abroad, Ed remains the observational stand-up to see.

https://edbyrne.com / TWITTER: @MrEdByrne

For up-to-date tour listings, please visit https://edbyrne. com/live-dates/

Barnard Castle 16th October at The Witham

DARREN DAY & STEVE WALLS DARREN DAY & STEVE WALLS HOOK-ING UP WITH HOOK-ING UP WITH

Where has the time gone because it doesn’t feel like a year since we were last at the Playhouse in Whitley Bay for the panto press day, but here we are, back again catching up with local legend Steve Walls and this years big name cast member…the one and only Darren Day

Hi Darren and Steve, thanks for taking the time to chat with us, so are you looking forward to this year’s panto?

(D)You know what? I’m looking forward to this more than I have done for a long time because it’s,

you know, this is like the Peter Pan sequel, so I’m genuinely looking forward to it. I’m very much looking forward to working with Steve. We’ve got an amazing team on stage and off stage and it’s beautiful around here, isn’t it? You know, I’m usually in a city at Christmas time, you know, and this is going to be lovely to be up here, so I’m very much looking forward to it. (S) And I’m the same as Darren. Obviously I’ve done Peter Pan about six times now, so to do the new adventures is great, because obviously you’ve done the story

that you do all the time. Plus I’ve watched Darren for years and years, so it will be great to get to work with him and what a lot of people don’t know about Darren is he’s actually a brilliant impressionist, he’s a great singer. He makes me sick actually. He does, he does everything. In the past I’ve worked with TV personas who maybe they’ve got, you know, they’ve got celebrity and stuff like that, but they don’t really bring much to the table in terms of performance. I’ve watched this guy play King Love Rat in Manchester. He was out of

this world, so I’ve been dead excited. And he’s a top bloke as well. So we’re gonna have a few laughs with this aren’t we Darren?

(D) I think what’s great about this for me this year is that I’m working with Steve. You know, we’ve both come up the same way. We both have a lot of mutual friends, you know.

(S) And a massive respect of the art and.

(D) Yeah, yeah, and of Variety. You know,

(S) We’ve got the same heroes. We were talking about this before. You’ve got the Morecambe and Wise’s and, you know, the Bob Monkhouse’s and those kind ofpeople. And Darren was saying he got into the sort of tail end of that. He was lucky…well, you weren’t lucky. It’s your talent that did it.

(D) But I was lucky to actually get in.

(S) You know, when you still

had the Brian Connollys and all because I don’t think them allrounder’s, we’re not going to see any more of them now, are we? Yeah, those days are gone. Now It’s someone from Towie or Love Island, you know.

(D) Yeah, in 1993, just after Joseph… Royal Variety Show in front of the Queen and it was called the Newbies Slot and it was Joe Pasquale, Bradley Walsh and me, the three of us. And if I’d have, if I’d have got Joseph 2 or 3 years later, I would not have got to do that, because I just fell on the back end of the ride. Do you know what I mean? But I wouldn’t have got to do that. But I look back on that now, and I feel grateful that I just caught it.

(S)And to be honest, Darren, I know a lot of people that they get this celebrity. But you…when you look at your biog, it’s incredible man. The shows you’ve done are

absolutely amazing. One that a lot of people, if even if they’re younger and they don’t know the name, if they read his bio, which I’m going to be the first to do. Though to be honest, I know most of it anyway. But the list of stuff he’s done. Danny, you played Danny in Grease, haven’t you, you’ve played Frank-n-furter and everything. Even Talking About Jamie. You’ve been in them all.

(D) Yeah. I mean I always say everything from Frank-n-furter to Billy Bigelow in Carousel. You know, I mean, you can’t really get any more diverse, you know? But, I know I’ve been lucky. I’ve been very lucky, you know, very, very lucky indeed. But I think, I think Steve and I, I think we’re going tohave a great time. It’s great off stage already, but I think on stage, I think it’s going to really work.

(S) I’ve got a feeling there’s going to be certain things we’ll drop and

we’ll just look at each other and nobody else is going to get it. But we will, just a little wink.

(D) Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.

Obviously this’ll be the first time that you have worked with Steve, but is there anybody that you’d love to work with, past or present, that you’ve never had a chance to yet?

(D) Oh, that’s such a good question.

(S)Yeah. That is. That’s one of them questions that you can’t think of now. But you’ll go away and think damn.

You can come back to It later if you want to?

(D) I mean, we were saying earlier that, so the Bradford Alhambra, Billy Pearce, I think, you know, he’s 22-23 years he’s done there. So for people like us in the industry who have the most massive respect for Billy Pierce. Billy Pierce is our Brad Pitt.

(S) He’s a professional’s professional.

(D) He is, he’s a pro’s pro. Yeah. So when I did that in 2016, I was like I feel so privileged to be on THAT stage with Billy at Christmas.

(S) And to be honest, Darren, you have 2 or 3 panto’s which are classed as the biggest in the UK. That’s one of them, isn’t it? Birmingham. Bradford. They are the sort of big number one panto’s to do.

(D) You know you’re absolutely right. They are. And of course Playhouse. Don’t forget the Playhouse, (S) Of course. Of course. Oh you’ll got slap wrist for that one mind.

(S)Do you know what…Hopefully Darren will find out. It’s such an

intimate theatre. It holds 600 and It feels a lot more intimate, but the whole 600, when it’s a full house in there, you’ve got 600 Geordie’s screaming, veins in the neck. You know, it’s phenomenal. You’re in for a treat there like.

(S) Yeah definitely, it’s great fun. Have you performed in the North East before?

(D) So I’ve done pantomime at the Sunderland Empire a long time ago. And also the Billingham Forum. I did pantomime there…two years actually, but yeah, I’ve done like touring shows in Darlington and places like that so I’ve always sort of been in and around the area, but I’ve never been in Newcastle and never in Whitley Bay. And, you know, it’s just beautiful innit. Right.

(S)And we’ve just done the voiceover in Newcastle for the radio commercial. And Darren actually saw Saint James’s Park for the first time. It’s a sight to behold isn’t it?

(D) Well, even a sight to behold outside of it. I can’t imagine what it’s like to go inside.

(S) And that’s from a Spurs fan!

(D) I know I’m a Spurs fan, But yeah, I think it’s going to be great, I genuinely like, you know, obviously every year when you’re

doing promo stuff, you’ve got to say, “it’s going to be brilliant”. But I think this year, I can honestly say, hand on heart, that this isn’t just promo, this is just my feeling, it is going to be hreat, I’ve got a good feeling.

(S) There’s a lovely cast feeling too.

(D) It’s a really nice cast.

(S) Yeah. And I got to learn something about Durham, which I didn’t know. Darren was actually a professional snooker player. Yeah, when he was 17.

(D) You’ve done your research!

(S) Yeah so you already knew that. Yeah, yeah.

(S) So me and Darren, when we’re not on stage, we’re going to be going in there, going to the green baize, knock around a few balls. Give me a shout out and I’ll come give you a game.

(S) Good lad. Yeah, we’ll do that.

It was at this point I was getting the nod as it was time for Steve and Darren to do some publicity photos, which was a shame as that was great chatting to them both, it

was more a couple of friends chatting rather than doing an interview. Darren is also involved with a lot of charities and very kindly signed our charity banner, for which I am eternally grateful, he also wants to help us with The Red Bench Project so watch this space. In the meantime don’t forget to get your panto tickets for the chance to see Darren and Steve on stage, if today was anything to go by then I just know The New Adventures of Peter Pan will be incredible!.

A REAL FAMILY PANTO A REAL FAMILY PANTO

WITH JO, LOTTIE & STEVE WITH LOTTIE & STEVE

Hi Jo, Steve and Lottie, so our readers will all know Steve as he’s in NE every year to promote the Playhouse Panto in Whitley Bay. Now our readers may not realise that you are also always involved every year behind the scenes Jo, but this year will be extra special as now Lottie will be involved so it really is a family affair. How did it all come about?

(J) Steve first started working for Gary in 2010 /11. Then I (Jo/ mum) started as a dancer, to dance

captain, and then assistant choreographer …went off travelling and returned as the resident choreographer after Lottie was born. Lottie’s love for theatre started young and she joined the team at age 7 as ensemble dancer. This year she is thrilled be posing a lead role (Angela darling) alongside her dad as (Smee) and mum will be behind the scenes as choreographer and company manager.

So how does it feel for you all to

be doing The New Adventures of Peter Pan together?

(S) Really exciting.

(L)Being off school doing, and doing what I love with the people I love, couldn’t be happier!

(J) It’s a very proud moment for us.. all together at Xmas. Now that’s a first!

(S) It’s going to be great.. I hope I remember to call her Angela and not Lottie!

What is it like working with your

parents Lottie?

Not much different than being at home, we are always singing and dancing to Alexa! I just want to make sure I dance like mum and sing like dad… and not the other way around!

Have you always wanted to perform Lottie?

I have always loved to sing and dance but I want to be a vet! I love school as well as my performing arts! Maybe I’ll be a singing vet… that would be funny.

You will be playing the role of Angela Darling, but is there a role that you would love to play in any show or panto in the future?

I love any role to be honest as long as it challenges me… I recently played ‘Dorothy’ in the Wizard of Oz and learning a new accent is really fun!

As parents I know you will both be super proud, but what is it like having your daughter involved,

does that make it easier or harder?

Charlotte is a delight. She’s very proactive so we are lucky. Gary, our producer seen a spark in her from day one and he has always supported ourr family set up!

Jo, can you tell our readers what your role is within the panto?

I’m the Choreographer and company manager (as well as wife and mum ha).

Lottie, your dad is always working with and mingling with a load of celebrities, is there anyone that you would like to meet or work with?

Taylor swift - Definitely! I met Darren Day at the press launch though and he was really lovely. He’s done some great Musical theatre shows!

What advice would you all give to anyone that is interested in performing?

Work hard and make sure you are always enjoying what you do. We are lucky to do what we love as a career!

Try out different clubs, as that will help you grow and build your confidence.

I am lucky, I have so many wonderful teachers. Sian Carson my singing teacher (SCPA Liverpool), Carrie (Diverse Performing Arts

Liverpool), Ali (BEAP) Liverpool, Alan and Chelsea (Chameleon Chords Liverpool) and two very special teachers in Vicki Crane and Peter Quinn who found my voice at the very beginning at age 4 at St Julie’s.

So away from the performing what do you all enjoy doing with your free time?

We love spending time with our family and friends. We are avid theatre goers!

Will this be a regular family thing, you all doing the panto together?

We all really hope so!! What better way to spend your Christmas.

Do you have anything else coming up that you would like to mention?

(S) It never stops. Back to corporate events, awards ceremonies. I’m working with Paul Gascoigne soon, and next year, get to cruise with, and work with my friend Jane McDonald again. I’m looking forward to both.

(J) Another day and another show…I will be producing/choreographing ‘Chinese new year’ 2025, choreographing ‘Annie’ the musical and ‘West End week’, back to preparing/ teaching on my musical Theatre course in Liverpool (show term), sessions at ‘Pineapple Dance a studio’ and adjudicating across the country.

(L) I have a busy year already. I will be performing in the ‘Chitty Chittty Bang Bang UK tour’, ‘Olivier’ with performing arts school, ‘Disney land Paris’ with my dance school, Step by step and the 25th anniversary of Liverpool Philharmonic choir.

We hope the rehearsals go well and we can’t wait to see you at the Panto . CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS https://tinyurl. com/3a685vnt

We have teamed up with Cineworld Boldon to give you a quick run down on a few films that are coming soon and really have got us excited.

Plus make sure you check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with their daily competitions and updates. Boldon

Transformers One 11 October 2024

Running time: 104 minutes

Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like

brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. In the first-ever fully CGanimated Transformers movie, TRANSFORMERS ONE features a star-studded voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, with Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm.

Cast:Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, Keegan-Michael Key, Brian Tyree Henry Director: Josh Cooley

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

Venom: The Last Dance 25 October 2024

Running time: 110 minutes

In Venom: The Last Dance, Tom Hardy returns as Venom, one of Marvel’s greatest and most complex characters, for

the final film in the trilogy. Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie’s last dance.

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Stephen Graham, Tom Hardy, Rhys Ifans, Juno Temple, Alanna Ubach, Clark Backo, Peggy Lu Director: Kelly Marcel

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

Paddington In Peru 08 November 2024

Running time: 103 minutes

PADDINGTON IN PERU brings Paddington back home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now

a resident at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family and Mrs Bird in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Cast:Antonio Banderas, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Broadbent, Olivia Colman, Emily Mortimer, Imelda Staunton, Julie Walters, Ben Whishaw, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Carla Tous Director: Dougal Wilson

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

Red One 08 November 2024

Running time: 123 minutes

After a villain kidnaps Santa from the North Pole, an E.L.F (Extremely Large

and Formidable) operative (Dwayne Johnson) must partner with the world’s most accomplished tracker (Chris Evans) to find Santa and save Christmas.

Cast:Chris Evans, Bonnie Hunt, Dwayne Johnson, Lucy

Liu, J.K. Simmons, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Kiernan Shipka, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Wesley Kimmel Director:Jake Kasdan

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

Gladiator II 15 November 2024

Running time: 147 minutes

From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death

of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of

Rome to its people.

Cast:Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, Fred Hechinger, Joseph Quinn, Lior Raz

Director:Ridley Scott

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

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It has been a long, horrible summer for me, on a personal level, with life changing drastically. Basically, since I last penned a ‘Book Tales’ column, both myself and my father, had really bad viral infections; then came the ultimate kick in the stomach when, following brief illness/ downward spiral, I lost my mother, Janet. Talk about knocking the wind out of my sails and ultimately it meant everything was put on the back-burner, and it’s been really tough regaining any kind of motivation, confidence, and momentum – now it’s time to ‘try’ and look forward.

The last two ‘Book Tales’ of 2024 will be a little different to those penned earlier in the year, this one is my chasing a master of literature, and the December issue will be of a family history nature –something to look forward to.

Following a much-needed break in North Devon, I took the chance on heading to Oxford, initially for a quick family history jaunt, realisation dawned that here was the historical backdrop for that of Tolkien, Lewis, and The Inklings.

I have been a fan of the works of Tolkien for many-a-year, so taking this opportunity was not one I was going to miss; and so, I visited the final resting place of Tolkien,

visited Oxford, the Bodleian Libraries, and much more.

Author of masterpieces such as The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings, and the creator of Middle-Earth, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, of J.R.R. Tolkien, is the master of fantasy literature and creativeness.

Born in early-January way back in 1892 (134 years ago), in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State (now South Africa), both his, and the Tolkien family story, is an interesting, intriguing one (I’ve two biographies, Michael Humphrey’s J.R.R. Tolkien a biography, and Michael White’s Tolkien A

Biography – although there are other’s out there also).

Moving to England (following the death of his father back ‘home’) as a young child, and the beginning of the Great War breaking in 1914, a now young gentleman on his early twenties, he would too soon go to war, rising

to the rank of Lieutenant, in the Lancashire Fusiliers, engaging in numerous battles, including the Battle of the Somme, among others.

But it would be for his literary works he’d become best known, a selection of which follows –

1925 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (co-edited with E.V Gordon); The Devil’s Coach Horses (early) 1930s Sigelwara Land

1937 Beowulf: The Monsters and the Cities; The Hobbit, or There and Back Again

1939 On Fairy-Stories (later published in full in 1947)

1949 Farmer Giles of Ham (mid) 1950s The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King)

1962 The Adventures of Tom Bombadill

This was followed by numerous others published

posthumously edited by one of Tolkien’s children, Christopher Tolkien (1924 – 2020) and which included The Silmarillion (1977), the mammoth 12-volume History of Middle-Earth (1983 – 1996), and the Children of Hurin (2007), among others.

His books have been turned into comic books and television serials, even big ass, box office films with allstar casts – but for some, nothing beats the turn of the page, and that journey you take, in your head, into Middle-Earth.

It was kind of like that when I went to Oxford; finding Tolkien’s final resting place wasn’t intentional when it happened either as I was actually on doing something else, but sometimes you just have to do it, so I did.

Stumbling across Wolvercote

Cemetery, finding the gravesite was actually made very easy by the point that it is sign-posted, all the way, with just little stubs of rock with a plaque saying “J.R.R. TOLKIEN – AUTHOR and the direct to be headed.

And there he is, buried with his beloved wife, in a grave of flowers, money, and even a book, among other things, the inscription of which reads

EDITH MARY TOLKIEN

LUTHIEN

1889 – 1971

JOHN RONALD

REUEL TOLKIEN

BEREN

1892 – 1973

As you stand at his resting place, to his immediate

left and a hop, skip, and a jump over the path, is also the resting place of John Francis (2003) and Priscilla Mary Anne (2022), brother and sister of Michael and Christopher and eldest son and only daughter of John and Edith (nee Bratt).

The trip into Oxford, albeit a tiring one, was very enjoyable – wandering round the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Libraries, and more was added to by the purchases made.

I actually got the feels as well, like all of them, when I purchased a print from The Hobbit, ‘Conversation with Smaug,’ and a new book into the collection, Catherine McIlwaine’s hardback ‘Tolkien: Maker of MiddleEarth.’

Looking forward and to the Christmas/December issue of NE Online Magazine, where again my ‘Book Tales’ will be of a different feel; I’m planning on two little family history trips in the

coming weeks so this will be on that, and the books used there – and there’s a return of the Author Interview as I catch up with Nicky Black following the release of ‘The Flower House’ (and that interview is very much overdue, a few years in fact).

(Images of Wolvercote Cemetery and the Tolkien grave; my Tolkien collection, recent additions, and trip into Oxford)

“Changing the world one story at a time,” the motto of Blackbird Creative Arts It’s around a decade now that myself and Jade have had the pleasure of knowing each other; at the time of our first meeting, I was studying the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at Darlington College, and she was in the early stages of setting up an events management business.

That was at Blackwell Meadows, the then home of Darlington Football Club, and boy has a lot changed since then, for both of us really. For me, personally, I’m glad that we kept in touch, having ended up working with her, from a media perspective, on several occasions pre-covid. Having provided the media for several runs of ‘PRICKS’ I was delighted when Jade finally got in touch asking if I’d be up for doing the same for her children’s book, DAISY DONALD (artwork by Hayley Smith) and, despite all that’s going on in life – of course I would !!

Daisy Donald of course sings that she is “a Warrior – not a Worrier” and rightly so; looking at life of a Type 1 Diabetic, through the eyes of a child, Jade has certainly done wonders with the book; and now she’s taking

it to the stage as well.

The new family show has been co-created via workshops with ‘Type 1 Kidz’ (part of Investing in Children) and is not just aimed at the families of young people living with Type 1 Diabetes.

Along with the support of the ‘Young Creative Team’, Daisy Donald is a new voice to help young people of all ages understand what it’s like to live with an invisible illness on a day-to-day basis, and how we can all learn to embrace and accept difference, irrespective of what that is.

“Daisy Donald is an inspiration for times when we all need a little more encouragement and selfbelief,” explained Jade.

“The theme itself is timeless but important, especially for young audiences.

“Turning what Daisy feels is a lonely negative into a complete shebang of a positive (with a little bit of help from the audience), this show celebrates diversity and disability.

“Daisy Donald looks at diabetes, difficulties and difference; learning to embrace them and help Daisy become the shining, dazzling person she was born to be.”

A recipient of numerous,

5-star book reviews, Daisy Donald the stage play is seen as being a fantastical world of monsters, music and riding that proverbial rollercoaster, with a plethora of take-home positive messages throughout.

Touring for the first time this month, running between 10 October and 2 November, with local, north-east dates in both Darlington (Jade’s home-town), and in nearby Washington, like the book, it’s certainly something to both look forward to, and enjoy.

Speaking of Daisy Donald themselves, two of the venues on the upcoming tour said: “All the ingredients of Daisy Donald are authentically rooted in children’s experiences, with

the creative team weaving a show full of important messages, but far from didactic and dull, it’s a joyful and vibrant piece of family theatre,” (Miranda Thain, Artistic Producer, Theatre Hullabaloo),

AND

“I just feel it not only caters for those dealing with Type 1, it is educational for those of us who don’t have to face it every day but yet know of friends and associates who do,” (David Grant, Programming Lead, Blackfriars Arts Centre).

DAISY DONALD – THE STAGE TOUR, will be appearing at the following venues over

the next four weeks (all performances are approx. 50 minutes long – ticket info via https://www. blackbirdcreativearts.co.uk/ daisy-donald-show) –

10.10.2024 Helmsley Arts Centre, Helmsley, North Yorkshire (closed show)

11.10.2024

Hullabaloo Theatre, Darlington 10:00 (SOLD OUT)/13:00 (SCHOOLS)

12.10.2024

Hullabaloo Theatre, Darlington 11:00/13:30 (FAMILIES)

19.10.2024

Mechanics Theatre, Wakefield 14:30 20.10.2024 Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool (closed show)

23.10.2024 Blackfriars Arts Centre, Boston 14:00

24.10.24 Arts Centre, Washington, Tyne & Wear 10:30/13:30

26.10.24 Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton 14:00/16:30

02.11.2024 The Place, Bedford 11:00/15;00 Produced by Blackbird Creative Arts, Daisy Donald is supported by Arts Council England, Dexcom UK, and Omnipod UK. (Credits – Writer & Artistic Producer, Jade Byrne; Director, Ruth Mary Johnson; Composers, Jeremy Bradfield & Calum Howard; Assistant Producer, Sophie Halford; Set Design & Costume, Alison Ashton; Puppet Georgia Hill) (Actors – Jade Byrne, Christina Berriman Dawson, Alberto Dumba and Kieron Michael)

Follow PRICKS on Facebook https://www.facebook. com/PricksOfficial and on X https://x.com/ PricksOfficial and Instagram @pricksofficial, for regular updates regarding #DaisyDonald, as well as Blackbird Creative Arts on X https://x.com/ BlackbirdCA and Instagram @blackbirdcreativearts

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Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th October 2024

Thursday 2nd October 2025

Lydon will talk about how he sees life, along with his unique and extraordinary career, and take audience questions during a pyrotechnic, one-off tour. Lydon will be sharing his thoughts with audiences. He Could Be Wrong. He Could Be Right.He’s a legend and an icon, a revolutionary and an immortal. John Lydon – aka Johnny Rotten – changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution. The frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) caused a political earthquake and transformed music for good.

To coincide with the publication

of his new book, the brilliant, funny and insightful I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right, he is touring the UK.

VIP meet’n’greet packages are available.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Wednesday 30th October 2024

Friday 21st June 2024

Sunderland AFC have always honoured our armed forces over the years, and this year will be no different. With a long tradition of paying respects over Remembrance weekend with the laying of the wreath and the buglers playing at matches, Sunderland have decided this year to go a lot further with the introduction of Heroes’ Week, which is a week full of activities and events taking placeat the stadium.

Since the Armed Forces Breakfast Club took up a monthly residency at the Stadium Of Light and with them holding several NAFESE events there too, Heroes’ Week feels like a natural progression. The Armed Forces Breakfast Club takes place on the second Wednesday of the month at 9am-11am, if you have never attended one before, it’s a chance for active or veteran members of the armed forces community or their supporters to meet up and chat with other likeminded people over a cuppa and a bite to eat. Sometimes they will have on guest speakers, in the past this has included current and past players from Sunderland AFC as well as veterans like local lad Chris Oliver from the tv show SAS Who Dares Wins.

Heroes Week starts off on Wednesday 6t November with a Rememberance Breakfast with

buglers and Padre. Thursday 7th is a Curry night with entertainment. Then on Friday 8th Sunderland are putting on a night with a difference, An audience with Billy Billingham, Chris Oliver and Jason Fox, three of the staff from SAS Who Dares Wins, which will be a great night of stories, questions, photos and more as well as a three course meal in The Montgomery suite. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Saturday 9th is the men’s Remembrance game v Coventry City and Sunday 10th is the

Another event taking place that week is NAFESE Breakfast launch with news of The National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event for 2025.

The Breakfast Launch will take place on Tuesday November 5 at Quinn’s Bar, Stadium of Light, Sunderland from 0930am1130am and feature exclusive news on NAFESE 2025, as well as another chance to network

women’s Remembrance game v Blackburn Rovers.

with professionals from the forces and services communities as well as regional representatives from North East business.

NAFESE 2025 will be the biggest event for the forces and services and has grown stronger year on year since its launch in 2023.

NAFESE 2025 will see the launch of a special celebration and publication, a special speaker line up which will draw the crowds, a trade show element, all taking place on April 9, 2025.

This will complement the regular line up already featured at the NAFESE including the Recruitment & Resettlement Zone, STEM Village for visiting schools and colleges and Regional Showcase Hub for North East business to make their mark on a National audience.

These are exciting times for the NAFESE team, not forgetting their events up and down the country and their ever growing portfolio of publications including Eyes Front magazine and the NAFESE range of annual directories.

News of further events and publications will also be announced on November 5 at the Breakfast Launch.

Finally a match that is worth mentioning, even though it is not being held at The Stadium Of Light, it’s the inaugural Tyne and Wear Remembrance match.

Sunderland AFC Armed Forces & Veterans Supporters Branch vs Newcastle United Armed Forces Supporters Club

This year it is very kindly being hosted by Newcastle Benfield FC and 2024 sees funds raised for Launchpad Veterans.

ENTERTAINERS LAUNCH THEIR DEBUT CHRISTMAS SHOW

STEP INTO CHRISTMAS

This Christmas, Entertainers, one of the UK’s leading entertainment producers debut their first Christmas show, Step Into Christmas.

The show embarks on a 35-date tour and joins Newcastle’s very own Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Thursday 21st November 2024. Perfect as your official start to Christmas, feel festive with beloved Christmas hits!

Step Into Christmas is a festive, feel-good show that brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite Christmas songs including ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, ‘Last Christmas’, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, ‘Stay Another Day’, ‘Let it Snow’, ‘White Christmas’, ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas’, ‘A Winter’s Tale’, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’, and many more!

The show is produced by Entertainers, one of the UK’s leading entertainment producers. Entertainers is run by father and son team, Michael and James Taylor who were recently listed in The Stage Top 100, a list of the most influential people in the theatre industry. They have over

30 other productions in their portfolio including The Magic of Motown, Cirque: The Greatest Show, The Rocket Man, Fastlove, and The Makings of a Murderer all of which are touring the UK throughout the year.

Jonathan Higgins, CEO of the Tyne Theatre & Opera House, states “We’re very excited to be bringing another Entertainers show to our theatre – this Christmas concert will be great for all the family as they begin to welcome in the festive season. As a theatre for everyone, we’re excited to bring in families this

Christmastime with Step Into Christmas and then our busy pantomime season, and we can’t wait to host more exciting family shows in the new year.”

Tickets cost £35.50 - £31.50 and can be purchased from: https:// www.tynetheatreandoperahouse. uk/whatson/step-into-christmas-2/

To check out more recently announced shows, head over to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House website: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whats-on/

JOHN CALE ANNOUNCES

POPtical Illusion UK TOUR 2025

The iconic John Cale is going on tour next March, following the release of his most recent album, the critically acclaimed POPtical Illusion earlier this year.

The tour will be his first since 2023, and will take in Nottingham, London’s Royal Festival Hall, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Bexhill, Cardiff and Liverpool. He’ll be performing at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Tuesday 25th March 2025.

John Cale has always been a musician of the times, helping to usher in titanic shifts in sound and culture.

The bleeding edge drones of his Sun Blindness Music opened the path to The Velvet Underground. The frantic rock of Fear and Slow Dazzle, not to mention his production with Patti Smith and the Stooges, framed a half century of punk, post-punk, and art-rock to come. And his curiosity about

the way electronics could be more than a gimmick in rock music served as an inspiration to an uncountable number of crucial scenes.

Once again, on new album POPtical Illusion, Cale stands as a musi-

cian of these times. He looks at the orchestrated turmoil of recent history, furrows his brow in disgust, and then turns on his heels toward a future, even if he - like all of the rest of us, really - doesn’t know just what he’ll find or who exactly he’ll be there. He’s simply happy to be going toward it all.

Jonathan Higgins, CEO of the Tyne Theatre & Opera House states, “We have many music acts lined up for 2025, and it’s great to see talent such as John Cale on our programme. We look forward to announcing upcoming 2025 shows, and we’re excited to hear John Cale live!”

Tickets cost £45 - £34, and can be purchased from: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whatson/john-calepoptical-illusion-tour-25/

Babatunde Aléshé: High Expectations

Announcing Huge 48-Date UK Headline Tour 2025

September 10th - November 30th, 2025

Hilarious New Parenting Podcast

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Babatunde Aléshé, one of the fastest-rising stars in British Comedy, is back on tour! Following the huge success of his 23/24 sold-out debut headline run across the UK, join the multi-award-winning comedian as he this time guides us through family life, his newfound

fame and the joys of Costco in this hilarious new stand-up show.

Babatunde brings High Expectations to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Saturday 1st November 2024.

After warming the hearts of the nation with his incredible stint in the jungle as part of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Baba’s stock has continued to shoot through the roof. Now a firm TV favourite, the hugely popular award-winning comedian, actor and podcaster has since been seen on Taskmaster (C4), Live at the Apollo (BBC), Celebrity Gogglebox (with Mo Gilligan - C4),

Most recently, Babatunde has teamed up with his wife Leonie Aléshé to take listeners on a laughter-filled journey through parenting and childhood in their brand-new, Global Original podcast Then & Now with Babatunde and Leonie Aléshé.

Tickets go on sale Friday 4th October at 10am, and cost £21£19. These can be purchased here: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whatson/babatundealeshe-high-expectations/

Would I Lie to You (BBC) & The Last Leg (C4).

The World Famous Elvis Show - starring world renowned CHRIS CONNOR comes to MIDDLESBROUGH – Theatre on Saturday 23rd November 2024.

OFFICIALLY breaking theatre box office records!

Endorsed by The Telegraph‘The best Elvis tribute show in the World’.

Voted by the first ever worldwide Elvis Presley fan poll as - The greatest Elvis Tribute in the World!Awarded in Memphis.

Joe Esposito (Elvis best Friend & tour manager ) quotes in Memphis Tennessee: “Wow that boy is good, he looks just like Elvis with the same energy on stage”.

Martin Fontaine (actor in the Elvis story) quotes publicly: “Chris Connor is to me the closest thing to the King I’ve ever heard and ever seen in my life. I’m in shock, it’s simply amazing....”.

Jerry Shchilling (member of The Memphis Mafia and close friend) quotes on live Australian TV: “ I have been

following Chris Connor’s career - he is simply the best out there”.

Starring and produced by world renowned Elvis performer CHRIS CONNOR.

With his 12-piece live band ‘THE STEELS’ and backing vocals by ‘The Sweet Harmonies’.

A magnificent theatre production, recreating

2 popular Elvis Presley concerts.

This show respectively and authentically recreates ELVIS at his very best recreating 2 concerts - selling out in all theatres!

You will simply feel that you have been transported back into time.

If you were not lucky enough to see Elvis live, you will walk away from this concert feeling that you have! many Elvis fans are left emotionally moved when they leave the show.

There is only ONE Elvis Presley, however fans all around the world are talking about CHRIS CONNOR who is remarkably so very close to Elvis in both looks and voice and mannerisms.

Chris Connor’s manager, Lisa Matthews says “Chris has built a huge following all around the world. He is shy and very humble off stage, however on stage he transforms into Elvis, it can be at times very spooky. Chris makes sure that his tribute is respectful at all times, and as authentic as possible. Audience members are left in tears and in shock during and after the shows, with the very close likeness in looks, voice, mannerisms and moves. Chris has worked very hard to become the world leading Elvis Performer, and he is grateful for the continued support he receives from all fans across the globe.

This show is made by Elvis fans for Elvis fans. You seriously do not want to miss this electric show!”.

‘SEEING IS BELIEVING’....

Tickets for the MIDDLESBROUGH – Theatre show are available HERE

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WORLD FAMOUS ELVIS SHOW, CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE LINKS:

Website for The World Famous Elvis Show / Chris Connor including tour dates, please visit the following

website - http://www. worldfamouselvisshow. com/ Facebook - https://www. facebook.com/chris. connor.750983?fref=ts

The World Famous Elvis Show Video Trailer - https:// youtu.be/hVPui-qcPNE

LEEE JOHN and IMAGINATION (Flashback Greatest Hits Tour) plays NEWCASTLE – The Grove on Wednesday 30th October 2024!

With record sales in excess of over 30 million + albums, the incomparable, award winning LEEE JOHN of 80’s crossover soul hit-makers IMAGINATION comes to Newcastle – The Grove on Wednesday 30th October 2024, performing their greatest hits as well as tracks from his diverse solo career.

To coincide with the 40th Anniversary of LEEE JOHN & his group IMAGINATION, the ‘Flashback Greatest Hits 2024 UK Tour’ continues following their successful Spring tour dates earlier this year travelling across the country taking in a date at London’s Indigo2 in May, reflecting an incredible musical career of songs spanning 4 decades.

The October date comes after the release of “40 Years” in February earlier this year, a careerencompassing retrospective of IMAGINATION’s and LEEE JOHN’s recorded music output, with 189 tracks across 17-CD box set curated by LEEE, celebrating 40 years as one of the UK’s finest soul stirring voices with their perfect genre defining Brit Soul/Jazz/ Funk songs, IMAGINATION

established their landmark position and influence for future generations in the music industry.

IMAGINATION first burst onto the British music

scene in 1981 with their unforgettable debut single ‘Body Talk’ becoming a favourite of pirate soul, jazz and funk stations, eventually propelling the track into the charts and the band onto

their debut appearance on Top of the Pops.

The track was soon followed by so many amazing global classic hits singles and platinum, gold and silver albums with further chart hits such as ‘In and Out of Love’, ‘Flashback’, ‘Just An Illusion’, and ‘Music and Lights’, and the influential albums ‘Body Talk’, ‘In the Heat of the Night’, ‘Scandalous’, ‘Closer’, and ‘Like It Is’ and many more, all delivering them smash hits in over 30 countries.

“When I think of LEEE JOHN & IMAGINATION, the words music trailblazers come to mind, whose unique sound, definitive style, and body of work have unquestionably left an incredible music legacy, paving the way ahead for so many black British bands that have followed on” - Trevor Nelson, MBE

In continuing with the 40th Anniversary celebrations, later this year will see the release of a LEEE JOHN OF IMAGINATION live album, recorded in 2022 at the legendary Olympia in Paris, with its release date soon to be announced.

In other creative projects LEEE has been busy producing and directed 5 documentaries taking him as

far away as Zambia, Tunisia, South Africa and France. He is currently producing and directing ‘Flashback’ a Film of the history of British black music for which more than 200 interviews are already in the can, including Dizzee Rascal, Beverley Knight, Eddy Grant, Heather Small, Billy Ocean, Maxie Jazz of Faithless , Ali Campbell of UB40, Mike Lindup of Level 42, Trevor Nelson, Omar, Geno Washington, Maxie Priest, Sonique, Hamish Stuart of Average White Band, Courtney Pine, Ruby Turner and many more. Find out more about the Flashback Documentary here - http://www. flashbackprojectuk.com

LEEE JOHN OF IMAGINATION continues to tour the world

and has appeared with many world renowned Artists such as The Jacksons, Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, Nile Rogers of Chic, Incognito and Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Recently he was honoured and given a Lifetime achievement award in the UK and a Humanitarian award in France for his continuous ongoing charity work support in aid of SOS children, a world orphan charity.

Tickets available from www. Leeejohn.com | www. ticketmaster.co.uk

Wednesday 30th October NEWCASTLE – The Grove Tickets available from – https://tickets. thegrovenewcastle. co.uk/event/leee-johnimagination/

Prices from - £32.50

Doors – 7.30pm

For further information on LEEE JOHN of IMAGINATION, check out the following websites / social media links:

Website – https://www. leeejohn.com/ Facebook – https://www. facebook.com/LeeeJohn Twitter / X – https://twitter. com/leeejohn

Instagram - https:// www.instagram.com/ leeejohnofficial

Mark’s now famous mix of standup, theatre, journalism and the odd bout of performance art has made him one of our oldest surviving alternative comics. Often referred to as the ‘godfather of political comedy’ (amidst many other things), Mark has been performing comedy for nearly 40 years. With a recentish step towards theatre in his last few shows, Mark is back to his finest stand-up form and antiTory sentiment in Gaffa Tapes as he sets out on the road this autumn.

If you don’t know what Mark does, ask your parents. In his time, he has won 8 awards for performing, 3 for human rights

work… and 1 he invented for himself. He has made 6 series of the Mark Thomas Comedy Product and 3 Dispatches for Channel 4, made 5 series of the Manifesto for Radio 4, written 5 books and 4 playscripts, curated and authored 2 art exhibitions with artist Tracey Moberly and was commissioned to write a show for the Royal Opera House. He has forced a politician to resign,

changed laws on tax and protest, become the Guinness Book of Records world-record holder for number of protests in 24 hours, taken the police to court three times and won (the fourth is in the pipeline), walked the length of the Israeli Wall in the West Bank (that’s 724km), and generally mucked about trying to have fun and upset (shall we say) the right people.

https://markthomasinfo.co.uk/ / TWITTER: @MarkThomasInfo

Mark brings his newest outing Gaffa Tapes to the Newcastle Stand 27th October and then the Alnwick playhouse 31st January and Barnard Castle 1st February.

Art By Tracey Moberly

Photo By Tony Pletts

TOYAH and ROBERTCHRISTMAS PARTY comes to SUNDERLAND – Fire Station on Tuesday 17th December 2024!

Following the runaway success of their Sunday Lunch YouTube series, and their critically acclaimed Tour of ‘23, Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp are bursting out of their kitchen again, for the Christmas Party 2024 and hitting the road for an evening of classic rock in the company of two rock legends and their band.

With the legendary artistic twists that both Robert and Toyah are renowned for, they’ll perform Toyah hits It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, plus many much-loved gems, including Heroes, Rebel Yell, Welcome To The Jungle, Are You Gonna Go My Way, Paranoid and more.

Toyah says: “It is inevitable that our kitchen high jinx hits the road, because, as Sunday Lunch has proven, the whole world loves classic rock and wants to let their hair down at Christmas! Who better to do that with than two rock legends, who can really rock out and make you laugh at

the same time!”

With decades of iconic albums, hit singles and concert tours to their names, Toyah & Robert have most recently connected to global audiences through social media. A staggering 120 million viewers worldwide have watched their weekly performances on YouTube, plus millions more on Facebook and TikTok, with the duo still broadcasting weekly every Sunday. The famous pair have now been married for 37 years.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Willcox has won multiple awards for singing and acting, had 15 Top 40 singles (‘It’s A Mystery’, ‘I Want To Be Free’), released over 20 albums, written 2 books, appeared in over 40 stage plays and over 20 feature films, and even voiced Tellytubbies. She has also been called one of the most influential women in rock.

Composer, record producer and author, Fripp is best known as the guitarist, founder and continuing member of legendary rock band King Crimson. He has

worked as a studio player and collaborator with Brian Eno, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall, David Sylvian, Blondie and The Damned among others.

Tickets available from – https:// www.thegigcartel.com/Artistsprofiles/Toyah-and-Robert.htm For more information on TOYAH, please click onto the following links below: Website – https://toyahwillcox. com/ and https://linktr.ee/toyahofficial

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/toyahofficial/ Twitter / X - https://twitter.com/ toyahofficial

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toyahofficial/ You Tube Channel - https://www. youtube.com/@Toyah