Neil Diamond Comes to Seaford

If you have ever hosted an International Student in Seaford before, the chances are that it was ‘Neil Diamond’ that helped you organise it! Well not the actual American singing superstar of course, but local language school director Chris Nieto, who has another slightly secret occupation as one of the country’s top Neil Diamond Tribute acts! But now the cat is well and truly out of the bag, as Chris is playing three nights at Seaford Little Theatre later this month portraying his famous alter ego in a show called Forever in Blue Jeans. Seaford Scene caught up with Chris over a Seaford coffee and asked him about juggling his two very different careers:

SS: Which came first, the singing or the International Students? CN: Oh, definitely the singing! I studied drama and music in London; I had a couple of West End roles and other various bits and pieces, but at some point, I decided I needed a proper job!

SS: How did the Neil Diamond Tribute develop? CN: It wasn’t an overnight thing. I’d always been involved with bands and music of some sort. I’d often be playing at a function or venue, and someone would always request a Neil Diamond song, so I just learnt a few out of necessity. Then people would come up after the show and say stuff like ‘Do you know you sound more like Neil Diamond than Neil Diamond!’ and I honestly wasn’t trying to impersonate him. But I kept getting requests for his songs, so I gradually started learning more and more of his catalogue.

SS: But did you actually like his music? CN: I really did, and I started to appreciate not only what an amazing songwriter he was but how much I enjoyed singing and playing his material. A few years back I bit the bullet, bought a black Gibson acoustic guitar, put on a sparkly shirt and voila…the transition was complete!

SS: Any other musical plans for 2023? CN: Yes, I’m hoping to bring my country band The Diablos to Seaford Little Theatre next spring. We have quite a few festivals lined up and are starting to write a new album.

SS: And has the international student business picked up after the COVID break? CN: It certainly has. Seaford is looking chock-a-block next year. Looks like Mr Diamond is going to be a busy man!

Sunday 23rd October BABY BOOMERS

CONCERT PARTY

Starring RUTH AGUILERA

SEAFORD LITTLE THEATRE, 7.30pm Bring your own pop CALL 01323 890364

Revisit the halcyon days of your misspent youth ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE & £12