Saddleworth Live to bring top shows to Delph

AN EXCITING line-up of award-winning plays, music and comedy is coming to Delph thanks to a theatre-loving duo.

Tim Newbold and Michael Powis created a small but popular theatre and performance space upstairs at The Swan pub during their five years there,

They handed over the reins to new landlord Huw Kendray in February and are now embarking on their next challenge – ‘Saddleworth Live’ at The Millgate Arts Centre.

Tim and Michael in New York with John McDaniel, who will be appearing at the Millgate

Michael explained: “After we left the pub, we enjoyed hosting five performances of plays and music and we had volunteered to continue programming for Huw, the new landlord.

“But it’s great to see he has hit the ground running and is brimming with his own ideas, leaving little room for the acts we have lined up. We wish him every success.

“As we were still being bombarded with requests to put on shows, we were on the lookout for a new venue and the Millgate Arts Centre is just perfect.

“It is a beautiful theatre with a long history of excellence. It has a comfortable bar area and stage with a raked auditorium that can seat 158 people.

“The Swan was lovely but relatively small so this will allow us to get in bigger audiences for bigger productions.

“We are really delighted to be working in collaboration with Millgate Arts Centre to build on its reputation as a hub for the arts in Saddleworth and to continue bringing professional theatre and top-class names in entertainment to the area.”

Locals can get a preview of what Saddleworth Live at the Millgate will have to offer – and buy tickets – at an Open Day on Saturday, June 3.

Visitors will be able to go behind the scenes to find out more about Saddleworth Players and their products, as well as Saddleworth Film Society and Concerts Society, who are also based there.

Then, Saddleworth Live at the Millgate officially launches with its first event ‘Last Night of The Proms’ on Saturday, September 9.

It is a return of the popular evening of musical variety featuring local soloists Miriam Lawton and Martin Bradbury and other special guests, held previously at The Swan.

There are only a few tickets remaining for The MIKRON Theatre Company’s ‘In At The Deep End’, a new play with music about the RNLI, on Tuesday, October 10.

Saturday, November 4 sees ‘Fascinating Aida’s Dillie Keane’ with new songs and old favourites from the Olivier Award-nominated actress, singer and comedian.

Friday, November 10 will be Christine Bovill’s PIAF, a musical homage to one of France’s most endearing icons.

And next year on Saturday, February 24, award-winning vocalist Barb Jungr and Broadway’s award-winning arranger and pianist John McDaniel bring a brand new show exploring some of the greatest songs ever written, re-interpreted in their own unique fashion.

Tim said: “John McDaniel approached us about coming to perform and we didn’t realise to start with how big a star he is on Broadway so we’re delighted he is coming.

“We’ll be seeing lots of shows here, in New York, at Edinburgh Fringe and other places and hopefully bringing some of the best back to Saddleworth.”

For more information about Saddleworth Live and tickets for upcoming events, visit their website: www.saddleworthlive.com. Tickets will also be available from Delph Library or www.ticketsource.co.uk/millgateartscentre

You can also sign up for updates by emailing: info@saddleworthlive.com

 

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