Top live show
You may never have heard of him but Joe Longthorne has an impressive track record and is often billed as the UK’s favourite live performer
The ancient Curium Amphitheatre in Limassol has certainly witnessed its fair share of action this summer. On some evenings, crowds filled the venue in search of a dose of ancient Greek drama, while other moonlit nights were punctuated by the sounds of classical music. But one thing that Curium has been without this season is a good old singing sensation gracing the stage.
As Joe Longthorne arrives to entertain audiences at Curium this coming Friday, you can expect a night of brilliant songs under the night sky. Often talked about as the UK’s number one entertainer and impersonator, it’s a one off show that has been surrounded by much hype.
Longthorne is arriving on the island for a short break, following a 57 date sell-out national tour in the UK. The tour culminated in a performance alongside Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey for the 70th birthday of Oscar winning songwriter, Don Black, at the London Palladium. Often cited by Black as his favourite ‘live’ performer, Longthorne has a long relationship with Black’s repertoire of songs including ‘Born Free’, ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and ‘From Russia with Love’.
At the upcoming concert, the singer will be accompanied by a world class 12 piece orchestra under the direction of Stephen Price whose band members have played for artists like Shirley Bassey and Engelbert Humperdinck. “I am humbled by the prospect of performing at a venue steeped in such history,” says Longthorne. “I only hope the Gods will look down favourably on me.”
Born in Hull, England in 1955, Longthorne began performing in talent shows at the age of four, and by his early teens was beginning to make a name for himself on TV programmes such as Yorkshire Television’s Junior Showtime. Not really the academic type, he didn’t do very well at school, later finding out that he has dyslexia.
Also deaf in one ear, this doesn’t appear to have held him back in his chosen path.
Longthorne’s career is now enjoying renewed success following a battle against cancer that struck at the height of his popularity in the late 80s. He continued performing through it all however, and his treatment culminated in a life saving bone marrow transplant in 2005.
Fully cured, Longthorne returned to the limelight with a new lease of life. Winning a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Variety Club last year, this honourable award placed him among a galaxy of past recipients including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Ella Fitzgerald. With Longthorne’s repertoire of voices containing more than a hundred of the world’s finest singers, Shirley Bassey has said that “Joe can do me better than I can do myself.”
Perhaps it is because of his fair share of both good and bad experiences in life that Longthorne treasures his health and family the most, also gaining great satisfaction from charity work. When it comes to relaxing, he likes to spend time on the North Yorkshire coastline whenever he gets the chance.
Although considered to be one of the best ballad singers in the business, a large portion of Longthorne’s show is dedicated to vocal impressions. His ‘emulations’ as he likes to call them include Tom Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and many more.
A few hundred tickets for the upcoming concert have already been sold to Longthorne’s loyal fans back in the UK and he claims to be overwhelmed by the hundreds of fans that have booked to travel to Cyprus for the show. “You don’t expect to travel all that distance and walk out on stage and be greeted by so many familiar faces,” he says.
Free bus transport to Curium is available from the Ayia Napa area and organisers also speak of the probability of a Paphos bus depending on demand. Say goodbye to the summer season with a bang as Longthorne entertains you with a heartfelt show.
Joe Sings to the Gods
Joe Longthorne live in concert. September 12. Curium Amphitheatre, Limassol. €43 pre-sale, €50 on door and €60 VIP. Tel: 99-101483. www.joelongthorne.com
