Easy Theatres

Classic Bee Gees Seventies disco single Stayin’ Alive is set to hurtle back up the charts after being used on a British Heart Foundation advert starring actor and former soccer hard man Vinnie Jones.

The ad promotes the use of chest compressions to save victims of heart attacks. Stayin’ Alive was selected not only because of its lyrical content. The BHF suggests that pumping the chest at between 110 and 120 beats per minute – the same rate as the 1978 hit – is more effective than a poor breath resuscitation attempt.

The use of the single on the advert is in marked contrast to a previous attempt to use the song on a TV advert that involved the cast of hit stage show Thank You for the Music. It was reported three years ago that The Bee Gees had refused to allow a cover version of the song, performed by the stars of the touring concert show, to be used on a TV ad because it sounded too much like their original hit song!

A version of the million-selling hit single was recorded by the stars of touring tribute concert show Thank You for the Music for an anti-AIDS telly commercial.

“When Bee Gee Barry Gibb heard the song he objected that viewers wouldn’t know it was a cover version,” says Martin Spooner, who plays Robin Gibb in Thank You for the Music, which features the music of the Bee Gees and ABBA.

“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Although we miss out on a lucrative TV deal, we take this as a massive compliment.”

Martin and his co-stars were asked to record a version of Stayin’ Alive by television commercial creators Mcasso. The London-based production company - responsible for eye-popping ads for the Ford Motor Company, Burger King, Ebay and the Times - was delighted with their version of Stayin’ Alive.

However, no one anticipated the reaction of the production company representing Barry Gibb when permission was requested for use of the song for the commercial’s soundtrack.

“We have been portraying the Bee Gees in the stage show Thank You for the Music for 12 years,” says Martin.

“Going into the studio to record Stayin’ Alive was like second nature. We recorded the song in a day.”

The Thank You for the Music cast claim they do more than just look like and sound like the Bee Gees. They claim to outperform the Gibb brothers in their heyday.

“We also sing chart toppers written by Maurice, Barry and Robin for other million-selling artists,” says Martin.

“I was fortunate enough to be regarded as a teen idol, an incredible time I’ll remember forever” says Jess. A particularly proud moment came in 1961. “I was voted the Most Popular Male Singer in the New Musical Express’ annual poll and went on the play the most prestigious venues of the time – the London Palladium, Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Pool.”

He went on tour the world with the biggest rock’n’roll stars of the day – Gene Vincent, Brenda Lee, Johnny Kidd, Eden Kane, Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and Joe Brown to name but a few.

During the Seventies Jess made the transition from pop star to stage star, playing Jesus in Godspell and Joseph in the original Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

A regular face on national TV over the years, Jess has also enjoyed a successful career as a movie star, appearing in no less than 25 feature films.

“I have to say the strangest experience of my career came when appearing in the box office hit Telstar in 2008,” says Jess.

Show producer: Michael Taylor says: “We’re thrilled an original rock’n’roll legend will be joining us for the forthcoming production.

YouTube.\”An Evening of Burlesque\” in Milan

ABBA Magic

The cast regularly plays to full houses on its nationwide tours of the UK and crisscross the globe bringing the music of Abba to music lovers worldwide.They are huge TV stars in Brazil, regularly appearing on national TV!

For the 2011 , Abba Magic has announced a brand-new look. All new dazzling dance routines and glittering costumes combine with a completely rejuvenated set list, guaranteeing Abba Magic’s place as the world’s number one concert show.

An Interview From Brazil.

An Evening of Burlesque

Glossier than Amber Topaz’s lip gloss, hotter than Piff the Magic Dragon’s breath,  as glittering as Slinky Sparkles’ golden cape, more eye-popping than Kalki Hula Girl’s stage show. . .

The official 2011-2012 An Evening of Burlesque show programme is now hot off the printing presses. Packed full of pictures of the performers and including an authoritative history of the art of burlesque, it’s 36 sizzling, full-colour pages of glamour, glitz and fun, fun, fun.

Piff the Magic Dragon’s career is on fire. . .

Star of last year’s Edinburgh Festival, Piff the Magic Dragon has seen his burning desire to become more famous than his “cousin” Puff begin to become a reality.

This year he was crowned the Magic Circle’s Close-up Magician of the Year.

Previously best known for being the world’s grumpiest dragon, Piff – played by comedy magician Jon van der Put – has become an overnight sensation after appearing on Penn and Teller’s prime time television show Fool Us, compered by Jonathan Ross.

Piff’s celebrated routine features as part of the eagerly anticipated performance of An Evening of Burlesque, coming to town in the next few days. The colourful production is currently on a nationwide tour of the UK’s top theatres and concert halls.

John presents his straight-faced comedy routine dressed as Piff – a cute, if somewhat sombre, green dragon.

An Evening of Bulrlesque features music and song, comedy and magic, hula dancing and even a talented classical pianist. . .

“Traditionally, burlesque has been a variety show; and we’re bringing this fascinating art form back to life in its original format, adding a modern day twist,” says show producer Michael Taylor.

When not starring in An Evening of Burlesque, John supports the likes of comedy stars Simon Amstell, Stephen Merchant and Jessica Hynes in London’s West End.

“An Evening of Burlesque sees Piff the Magic Dragon deliver an hilarious routine more deadpan than Jack Dee, with sleight-of-hand quicker than Penn and Teller,” says Michael Taylor.

Watch the video below as it’s an ideal taster of what to expect at any of the forthcoming An Evening of Burlesque shows.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

·         Matthew Jenkin talks to burlesque star Chrys Columbine whose piano striptease is set to have pulses racing at the Orchard.

          Read full Interview.

Please see below for a recent review from The Cambridge News regarding our newest show An Evening of Burlesque:

“Tassel-tastic entertainment” 
 

“Who’d have thought there were enough pauses in Chopin’s Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor to play it and simultaneously - and decadently - undress?” 
 

“Ginger Blush captured the true spirit of burlesque with a comic twist on a Victorian theme”  
 

“Kalki Hula Girl. . . a tour de force of comedy, attitude and supreme talent” 
 

“A celebration of the colour, quirkiness and fun in life, with a whole lot of booty-shaking thrown in”

Emma Harpley, Cambridge News

For full review by the Cambridge News please click on following link - http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Entertainment/Live-Reviews/An-Evening-of-Burlesque-31052011.htm

Stars of TV’s X Factor, The Reason 4 are on the brink of becoming the latest huge pop sensation. And thousands of music fans will get to see them perform their debut single, Take It All, live for the first time as the group support Peter Andre at Fontwell Park on July 2…..

The quartet appeared on The X Factor in 2010, progressing as far as the judge’s houses stage of the competition. Since then, Glenn, Marc, Nate and Scott have signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV and a record deal with Far West Music. Their first single is released on August 7 and is tipped to be a top 20 hit.

“Bridging the gap between JLS and Take That, the group put an unconventional spin on the ‘manband’ genre,” says the Fontwell concert’s promoter Michael Taylor. “Obviously, the big buzz for our event is Peter Andre’s appearance, but there’s a huge interest in The Reason 4 also. We’ve been deluged with requests from fans to meet them in person.”

A crowd of in excess of up to 10,000 has been anticipated for the open-air concert at Fontwell Park Racecourse, near Arundel.

The Reason 4 are currently writing and recording their debut album with Eliot Kennedy – a songwriter and producer for Take That, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Boyzone, Blue and many others – and Andrew Murray, who lists songs by Christina Aguilera, Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis and Alicia Keys among his credits. Their support slot with Peter Andre will give their fans a first chance to hear songs from their debut album which follows hot on the heels of the single release.

The Daily Mail have called the guys X Factor’s “eye candy” with “original harmonies and no cheesy choreography”. OK! Magazine was “not quite prepared for the gorgeousness that is The Reason 4” while X Factor supremo Simon Cowell labelled them as “one of his favourite groups this year”.

“Everyone saw them storm their first audition on X Factor with an a cappella rendition of Cheryl Cole’s Fight for This Love,” says Michael.

“Their set is tipped to demonstrate that The Reason 4 are far more than just another manufactured boy band. And to do so in spectacular style. They provide a brand-new dimension to male harmony bands.”

The foursome are long-time friends. They met at school 13 years ago and list The Script, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Stevie Wonder among their major influences.

“We believe that we came together for a reason,” says Glenn. “That’s why I came up with the name The Reason 4, because everything happens for a reason.”

See the band’s X Factor audition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C9VDajnB1E  

PETER ANDRE IN CONCERT
Support: The Reason 4 & Paradise Point
Saturday, July 2, 2011 ~ Gates 5pm, music 7pm
Fontwell Park Racecourse, Fontwell, Nr Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0SX
Telephone:  01243 543335 Website: www.fontwellpark.co.uk   

Everyone in the Magic of Motown production team is hard at work preparing for the extra-special Arena Show scheduled for this Autumn on the 26^th November at the Brighton Centre.

The Brighton Centre is situated on the beachfront looking out across the channel and is one of the largest purpose-built concert, conference and exhibition centres in the south of England.

The Magic of Motown is still one of the hardest working shows in the business, racking up more dates than any other show of its kind in this genre. With more and more planned in terms of Arena Concerts the Magic of Motown brand continues to develop and the push boundaries. 

For more information or to book this show for your venue or event please call the easytheatres team on 01702 427 100.