Continuing my previews for the rest of the year it is the turn of probably the most famous venue in Leeds, The City Varieties Music Hall. As usual, it is hosting some of the best live performers currently on tour. Everything from music, comedy, personal appearances by well known personalities and miscellaneous to events such as the streaming of ‘live’ theatre productions from the West End of London.
There are far too many to list individually as they tend to be one night stands, the tally at the moment is 61 between now and the end of the year, so I have picked out some examples from each category. There is a link to the whole shebang at the end of the piece.
Starting with music, we have a plethora of amazing talent from all over the world.
Beth Neilson Chapman
Ladies first. American superstar Beth Neilson Chapman gets the season rolling on 30th August, with Northern Ireland’s Cara Dillon following on 1st October. Another act from across the pond, Vonda Shepard, appears on 12th October with a Greatest Hits Show.
Barbara Dickson
Scottish Superstar, Barbara Dickson teams up with Nick Holland on 20th October and then it is another Trans-Atlantic legend, PP Arnold on 28th of the month. England is represented by Camille O’Sullivan on 10th September and Julia Fordham on 9th November.
Roy Hemmings.
The line-up of men is no less impressive, or varied, with Roy Hemmings, understood to be the longest-serving Drifter, and member of the J.A.L.N. Band performing Sounds of Philadelphia and Motown on 31st August.
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve present 15 Songs from 50 Years on both 2nd and 3rd September, If you think that a catalogue spanning 50 years is impressive, 22nd September sees a night with Marty Wilde, now probably better known as Kim’s dad, but to us oldies he is remembered as the man who rocked our 1950s Saturday evening tv on Oh Boy!
Marty Wilde
Will Young caters for those a little less long in the tooth on 17th October, as does Nick Hayward, formerly of Haircut 100 on 24th. A resurgent Tony Christie is on his 80th Birthday Tour on 27th October and, although he probably now has a satnav in his car, I bet he still wants to know Is This The Way To Amarillo? 4th November sees the venue get a visit from the police, or at least their drummer, Stewart Copeland. Did you know that his dad used to be a CIA Agent? You’re welcome.
Shaun Ryder
Anything could happen on 13th November when Shaun Ryder takes to the stage on his Happy Mondays, and Fridays, and Saturdays, and Sundays tour – the Oxford commas are his, not mine. I hope he is not too sad as this gig is on a Wednesday!
Oysterband
That just leaves the bands then. The Tiger Lillies present their unique brand of punk cabaret on 9th September with Come On Down (The Nihilism Tour). 6th November sees Oysterband bid us A Long Goodbye whilst 11th November has us bid a short hello to The Horne Section’s Hit Show.
Still with music, there is no shortage of tribute acts, including Heartbreak: The Tom Petty Show on 5th September, Hello Again: The Neil Diamond Songbook on 14th September, which could last all night. The James Brown Story on 16th September, which, if it sticks to the format of the eponymous singer’s shows, will last longer than all night.
On 27th September we have The Simon and Garfunkel Story, I remember seeing the originals at Free Trade Hall, Manchester, on 20th March, 1967 and still have the programme to prove it. I hope that the tribute act gets a bigger audience than Paul and Art did that night. The Story of Guitar Heroes plays on 13th October doing what it says on the tin, as do Legends of American Country on 3rd November and Crooners on 14th.
Nish Kumar
Comedy seems to be the mainstay of the entertainment on offer and, as there are so many artist visiting, I think that the best thing I can do is refer you to https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/?theatre=city-varieties-music-hall&genre=comedy where you will see all there is on offer. Stand-outs, as opposed to stand-ups, i.e. the ones I have heard of, include Nish Kumar on 29th September and Sue Pollard on 2nd October. There is also the performance of three ‘lost’ tapes of the television show Hancock’s Half Hour on 30th September, which should be interesting.
The Magic of Terry Pratchett
In the Miscellaneous category is The Magic of Terry Pratchett on 7th September, an examination of the author’s life. An Evening of Burlesque – well three evenings actually – is on 3rd-5th October and Kirk Field: Acid House Cabaret: Rave New World, covering the ’90s phenomenon on 23rd October.
Most Haunted: The Stage Show, will scare you rigid on 29th-31st October. The City Varieties has a resident ghost so, if you want to combine those two elements, plus Halloween, go on the last date, if you dare! Ned Boulting’s Marginal Mystery Tour: 1923 And All That, which deals with the year’s Tour de France is on 1st November. Andrew Newton: The Hypnotist LIVE! is on 16th November. When I clap my hands move on to the next paragraph and bark like a dog 👏
Finally we come to the drama section.
On 15th September there is a screening of the National Theatre Production of Prima Facie, the one-woman play starring Jodie Comer from Killing Eve. Apparently it is amazing. Just as intense is John Nichol: The Unknown Warrior on 7th October a production dealing with the casualties of the First World War.
New Dawn Fades
New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester takes to the stage on 22nd October with Brian Gorman as Tony Wilson, the boss of Factory Records. Count Arthur Strong is Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol on 10th November which will get us all in the Festive Spirit.
The year ends, thank goodness as I am getting writer’s cramp, with the institution that is The Rock’n’Roll Panto. This year it is Jack and the Beanstalk from 29th November until 12th January, 2025 and I for one can’t wait. So, get your glow sticks, check your inhibitions in at the cloakroom and revert to being a ten year-old for the evening. Oh yes you can!
For full details of everything on offer at this wonderful old theatre please go to https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/?theatre=city-varieties-music-hall
If there is nothing there to float your boat it has probably sunk beyond salvaging.
Images from Leeds Heritage Theatres
Tyke It To The Limit 