A BRITISH based entertainment company is bringing over a host of stars in the coming months, following the success of X-Factor winner Sam Bailey’s concerts on the island last year.
Eric Potts of Lyceum Productions told the Cyprus Mail that performers will include legendary singer Tony Christie (and his five piece band), Three Degrees’ lead singer Sheila Ferguson, TV star and singer Jane McDonald, comedian Jimmy Cricket. Sam Bailey will also make a return visit.
“Sam loved it so much and had such a terrific time on the island she wanted to come back,” said Potts, adding that it was due to the success of the X-Factor winner’s concerts that the promoters decided to expand their Cyprus productions this year.
Potts said that the promoters had carefully considered the demographic they are targeting, and have booked artists that have ‘realistic’ appeal. He added that each event will offer a full evening’s entertainment incorporating both music and comedy.
“We wanted to make the experience bigger and better for people this year. It will be worth it, not only financially, but also we had a great time in Cyprus and we wanted to do it again. The idea is to bring something that the expats haven’t seen before,” he said.
Potts will direct and compere the first show, which will open Lyceum’s entertainment season in May, and will kick off with Tony Christie and his band.
“They will play all of his greatest hits including ‘Avenues and alleyways’ and ‘Is this the way to Amarillo?’ ”
Tony Christie told the Cyprus Mail that he has never visited Cyprus and is really looking forward to the experience.
“I’m really looking forward to performing and also seeing the beautiful island and performing outside in the amphitheatres. Not something I can do in England,” he said.
He will be supported by comedy impressionist Paul Burling who found fame in the fourth season of Britain’s Got Talent. Burling said that he’s looking forward to returning to Cyprus, as it’s a favourite and the first place he took his wife Leah on holiday a decade ago.
“I love Cyprus, the people, the food and the sunshine. I’ve been back on a number of visits during the past ten years, because I love it. Going back to Cyprus is a pleasure, and I am very much looking forward to performing there.”
Performances will take place in Paphos, Pissouri, Larnaca, Paralimni and Limassol.
The promoters will also offer ‘A Night of Soul’, featuring the lead singer of The Three Degrees Sheila Ferguson and X-Factor finalist Andy Abraham.
This will be followed by TV star Jane McDonald, who will perform in July. She rose to fame in 1998 after her appearance on the BBC show ‘The Cruise’ and has gone on to perform all over the world.
“Jane is a long-standing member of the daytime TV show Loose Women and she will be supported by comedian Steve Walls, who performed at Pissouri last September,” said Potts.
In August, the promoters are offering an exclusive show, ‘The Magic Of The Musicals’ featuring four West End stars performing songs from popular musicals including ‘Phantom Of The Opera’, ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Chicago’, ‘Jersey Boys’, ‘Grease’, ‘Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat’ and ‘Les Miserables’.
Sam Bailey will take to the stage in early September and will be supported by comedy vocalists Mark and Louise B. The season will wrap up with comedian Jimmy Cricket and classical Welsh singers Richard and Adam. The duo came to the public’s attention in the seventh series of ‘Britain’s Got Talent.’ Their debut album ‘The impossible dream’ spent four weeks at the top of the UK albums chart in 2013.
Support acts will also include local choirs and performers based in Cyprus.
For information www.lyceumproductions.eu
