Latest news with #MichaelBall
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
One year on and a Bolton comic was feeling the love today
Bolton's Paddy McGuinness was feeling the love today as he celebrated a landmark birthday - with fans of his Radio 2 show sending him their best wishes. For it is a year today, the comedian, took the 11am to 1pm slot on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday. Opening his show, Paddy, who is also a popular TV presenter, told his millions of listeners: "This first year has absolutely flown by." He was presented with a birthday banner and badge, from colleagues as listeners rang in and emailed messages celebrating the special anniversary. Paddy took over from the slot from Michael Ball who will become the new presenter of Love Songs, following the tragic death of legendary radio broadcaster Steve Wright. He became the latest Boltonian, alongside Mark Radcliffe, Vernon Kay and Sara Cox, to join the Radio 2 airwaves. READ MORE: Paddy McGuinness' excitement at Radio 2 show on Sunday Bolton's top 5 most popular celebrities revealed in new poll Paddy said: "It's our first birthday. "Thank you to all three million of you who keep me company every Sunday morning!" He jokingly said his birthday cake and balloons, party streamers were en route to the Salford studios, from where he broadcasts his show. Credit: BBC "I knew it was going to be a good morning when security recognised me for once, they must have got the birthday memo,"joked Paddy, who added receiving the birthday messages had him 'feeling the love'. And one listener even told him that initially she did not like the show. She told him: "Happy first birthday with the show,I didn't like it at first at then around Christmas,I found myself looking at the time eagerly waiting for 11am, and cannot wait to hear your voice. Since then I have been listening every Sunday." His 'dulcet' tones also have won over many other listeners, with one saying their whole Sunday revolves around the show. Paddy has enjoyed a successful career ever since he appeared in the hilarious Phoenix Knights, inspired by Bolton, alongside fellow comic Peter Kay. He is currently filming for another series of Inside the Factory. You can catch up with today's show BBC Sounds.
South Wales Argus
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
West End shows coming to Newport at Riverfront Cinema
This month, The Riverfront launched its initiative to bring live theatre to the big screen so that the city centre could experience some of the UK's best productions. One person already enjoying the initiative said: "A West End experience without the travel. "I've been to National Theatre Live screenings before at the cinema and am pleased that The Riverfront is now able to offer similar." The initiative features a repertoire of renowned West End shows, award-winning productions, and National Theatre Live stage plays. Tickets are priced at £12, and £11 for concessions, making it accessible for many to relish the vibrance of live performances amidst the comfort of a cinema. Over the summer, people can catch Les Miserables: The Staged Concert - 40th Anniversary, Jesus Christ Superstar: The Musical Arena Tour, and the National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove, among others. Les Misérables, celebrating its 40th year, presents an all-star cast including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, and Carrie Hope Fletcher in a grandiose display of music and performance on May 17. Jesus Christ Superstar - The Musical Arena Tour, and National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove, starring Tim Minchin and Steve Coogan respectively, also promise compelling performances on May 28 and 29 respectively. Ben Foster and Vanessa Kirby are set to show off their talent in National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire - a production of Tennessee Williams' iconic drama on June 5, while Billy Elliot The Musical Live - 20th Anniversary, with music by Elton John, will add to the emotional intensity on June 12. In July, The Riverfront will also screen Bonnie & Clyde The Musical on July 2 and A Night With Janis Joplin The Musical on July 12, each a testament to the versatility of stagecraft. Members of the public can immerse themselves in the energy and emotion of these shows without leaving the city centre. The Riverfront has warmly invited all to book promptly, so as not to miss out on these shows. For tickets and more information, people can visit the Newport Live website or contact the box office directly.
The Age
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Matt Lucas and Marina Prior: the Les Miserable arena show is here
British musical theatre stars Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, in town to perform in Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular, have just caught wind of Australia's penchant for election day democracy sausages. 'I want a sausage sizzle in our elections in the UK,' Boe says. 'Seriously. Being here is so nice because you seem so removed from the rest of the hassle and stress that's going on in the world.' 'Australians don't take things too seriously.' We do, however, take musicals seriously. Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular, produced by theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh, is now playing at the 9000-seat ICC Sydney Theatre and will travel to Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre as part of a world tour. It has broken the record for the highest number of tickets ever sold at the ICC. Not content with being the world's most famous musical or the longest-running West End musical (40 years), Les Miserables' story of love, revolution, and social injustice in 19th-century France seems indefatigable. Boe thinks he know why. 'I heard this couple last night and she was saying to her husband, 'I think I can carry on with things, the stress that we've been going through, I think I can cope with it now',' he says. 'All after seeing a musical.' But why present an arena version of the musical? Mackintosh, whose prolific and influential career includes producing The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins, Oliver! and co-producing Hamilton in London, says it's going back to the essence of what the show is about. 'One of the things I insist - and that makes it special - is that everyone in the arena show has been in the stage production of the show,' he says. 'Even [the] big stars.'
Sydney Morning Herald
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Matt Lucas and Marina Prior: the Les Miserable arena show is here
British musical theatre stars Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, in town to perform in Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular, have just caught wind of Australia's penchant for election day democracy sausages. 'I want a sausage sizzle in our elections in the UK,' Boe says. 'Seriously. Being here is so nice because you seem so removed from the rest of the hassle and stress that's going on in the world.' 'Australians don't take things too seriously.' We do, however, take musicals seriously. Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular, produced by theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh, is now playing at the 9000-seat ICC Sydney Theatre and will travel to Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre as part of a world tour. It has broken the record for the highest number of tickets ever sold at the ICC. Not content with being the world's most famous musical or the longest-running West End musical (40 years), Les Miserables' story of love, revolution, and social injustice in 19th-century France seems indefatigable. Boe thinks he know why. 'I heard this couple last night and she was saying to her husband, 'I think I can carry on with things, the stress that we've been going through, I think I can cope with it now',' he says. 'All after seeing a musical.' But why present an arena version of the musical? Mackintosh, whose prolific and influential career includes producing The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins, Oliver! and co-producing Hamilton in London, says it's going back to the essence of what the show is about. 'One of the things I insist - and that makes it special - is that everyone in the arena show has been in the stage production of the show,' he says. 'Even [the] big stars.'
Sydney Morning Herald
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Smile in ecstasy - or bawl your eyes out - at the Les Mis arena show
British musical theatre stars Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, in town to perform in Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular, have just caught wind of Australia's penchant for election day democracy sausages. 'I want a sausage sizzle in our elections in the UK,' Boe says. 'Seriously. Being here is so nice because you seem so removed from the rest of the hassle and stress that's going on in the world.' 'Australians don't take things too seriously.' We do, however, take musicals seriously. Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular, produced by theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh and playing at the 9000-seat ICC Sydney Theatre as part of a world tour, has broken the record for the highest number of tickets ever sold at the venue. Not content with being the world's most famous musical or the longest-running West End musical (40 years), Les Miserables' story of love, revolution, and social injustice in 19th-century France seems indefatigable. Boe thinks he know why. 'I heard this couple last night and she was saying to her husband, 'I think I can carry on with things, the stress that we've been going through, I think I can cope with it now',' he says. 'All after seeing a musical.' But why present an arena version of the musical? Mackintosh, whose prolific and influential career includes producing The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins, Oliver! and co-producing Hamilton in London, says it's going back to the essence of what the show is about. 'One of the things I insist - and that makes it special - is that everyone in the arena show has been in the stage production of the show,' he says. 'Even [the] big stars.'
