Latest news with #ShortlandStreet
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
X Factor star Ray Quinn dashes hopes revealing why Brookside shouldn't return
Former Brookside star Ray Quinn has said the groundbreaking Channel 4 soap opera shouldn't return. The actor and singer, 36, who became a household name when he was runner-up in the third series of ITV talent show The X Factor was a child star on the serial drama during its latter years. Between 2000 and the last ever episode in 2003, Ray was better known as Brookie's Anthony Murray, the son of Marty (Neil Caple), who moved into the fictional cul de sac when Lindsey Corkhill (Claire Sweeney) sold up. Storylines included being bullied by school mate Imelda Clough (Bellie Clements) – and later attacking her with an iron bar. The situation escalated when Anthony chased Imelda into some woodland and then accidentally drowned her when she hit her head on a rock. After being held hostage by a gunman, he confessed everything. 'Brookside set me up for so much, so I can never look back with anything but amazing memories,' Ray told Smooth Pins. 'I loved the show, and it was so iconic and a huge piece of history for Liverpool.' Despite that, he doesn't think the show's magic could be recaptured. Fans have long hoped for a revival, and were thrilled when Scottish streamer STV Player picked up the series in its entirety in 2023. The platform also hosts soap operas Take The High Road and Shortland Street, as well as recently adding children's drama Byker Grove. 'I worry whether it would be as good, or whether it could dilute the legacy,' Ray continued. 'Maybe it's best to just enjoy it for what it was.' This is a sentiment shared by co-star Claire Sweeney, who told Metro last year: 'I don't know if it was a moment in time.' ''I'm proud to be part of it, and proud now to be part of Corrie.' Ray continued acting following Brookside's axing, appearing in BBC police drama Merseybeat and more recently as terrorist Jonny Baxter in Hollyoaks. He lost out on winning The X Factor to Leona Lewis, but continued to release music, appear on Dancing On Ice and form a career in musical theatre in the years that followed. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! During his time on the now defunct singing competition, he formed a close bond with judge Sharon Osbourne – and has reflected on the recent death of her husband Ozzy, who's funeral will take place in Birmingham today. 'Sharon was a big part of my life, even after the show,' he said. More Trending 'When I flew out to LA to record my album, she reached out and invited me to her house for dinner. I went to their Beverly Hills home that was featured on their reality show The Osbournes, so that was pretty surreal. 'Ozzy was there too, and he was such an amazing guy. My heart goes out to the whole family after his passing. I remember we sat down and had lamb to eat and lots of cups of tea.' Ray continued: 'The whole family was amazing, and Ozzy was so kind. He asked me about my music and told me to keep going and enjoy every minute. 'It was like sitting with one of my mates' dads. He showed me all of his paintings that he liked to do too. He had a little art studio by the pool, and there were loads on the walls. He was a great artist and a wonderful man.' View More » MORE: Coronation Street icon opens up on 'imposter syndrome' after 34 years on TV MORE: Olly Murs goes missing from radio show after wild night of partying MORE: Coronation Street casts Brookside legend in new role
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Chicago – The Musical Opens This Week
Press Release – Sandra Roberts CHICAGO – THE MUSICAL OPENS THIS WEEK Directed by Michael Hurst Get ready, Auckland—the razzle dazzle is about to begin. The global smash-hit Chicago the Musical opens on Thursday night, bringing all the scandal, sass, and show-stopping glamour of the roaring '20s with it. This explosive new production lights up the stage at the Bruce Mason Centre before sashaying its way to Christchurch and Dunedin for strictly limited seasons. Taking centre stage in this bold new production is a stellar line-up of Aotearoa talent, led by entertainment icon Jackie Clarke as the indomitable Mama Morton, alongside musical theatre powerhouse Nomi Cohen (Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You) as the sly and ambitious Roxie Hart, and Lily Bourne (Shortland Street, Fun Home) as the sharp and sizzling Velma Kelly. They're joined by screen and stage favourite Joel Tobeck (Shortland Street, One Lane Bridge, Avatar: The Way of Water) as the slick, silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn, seasoned actor Andy Grainger (Jersey Boys, The Brokenwood Mysteries) as Roxie's loyal husband Amos Hart, and multi-discipline artist Hannah Tasker-Poland (Legend of the Seeker, Ash vs Evil Dead) as the fiery inmate Liz. Helmed by acclaimed Kiwi theatre director Michael Hurst ONZM, this striking new staging of Chicago promises to deliver all the scandal, sass and showstopping musical numbers that have made it a global sensation—including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle. Joining him in sculpting the show's dynamic visual world is celebrated choreographer Shona McCullagh MNZM while the elaborate set is being created by award-winning designer Chris Reddington. These showstopping performances are supercharged by some of New Zealand's finest musicians, with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra bringing the heat live on stage in their home cities. Based on real events and created by the legendary Broadway trio John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a searing satire on celebrity and justice, set in a world where fame is the ultimate currency and murder is just the opening act. Chicago centres on Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who dreams of being a vaudeville star. She's cheating on her sweet but dim-witted husband named Amos — and when her lover tries to end their affair, she kills him in a fit of rage. Getting thrown in the Cook County Jail seems like a surefire end to Roxie's dreams of stardom, but her sentence ends up being her ticket to fame. Her lawyer, the smooth-talking Billy Flynn, helps her concoct a defence that earns the press' sympathy and gets her face on the cover of every newspaper in Chicago. And while in jail, Roxie meets Velma Kelly, an established vaudeville star who murdered her husband and sister. The women begin as rivals, as Roxie seeks to steal Velma's lawyer (Billy) and her spotlight, but they come around to an unlikely alliance. Chicago is a spectacle full of social satire, intrigue, love, betrayal, rivalry and friendship, a pageant of music and dance that adroitly shifts between reality and fantasy, as Roxie Hart's world moves from prison to the courtroom to the stage. With a trophy shelf that includes six Tonys, two Oliviers, a Grammy, and six Academy Awards, Chicago is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Don't miss your chance to experience the scandal, seduction and showbiz of Chicago the Musical—live on stage this winter. It would be a crime to miss it.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Chicago – The Musical Opens This Week
Directed by Michael Hurst AUCKLAND THIS THURSDAY 31 JULY | BRUCE MASON CENTRE | TICKETMASTER CHRISTCHURCH 17 – 24 AUGUST | ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL | TICKETEK Get ready, Auckland—the razzle dazzle is about to begin. The global smash-hit Chicago the Musical opens on Thursday night, bringing all the scandal, sass, and show-stopping glamour of the roaring '20s with it. This explosive new production lights up the stage at the Bruce Mason Centre before sashaying its way to Christchurch and Dunedin for strictly limited seasons. Taking centre stage in this bold new production is a stellar line-up of Aotearoa talent, led by entertainment icon Jackie Clarke as the indomitable Mama Morton, alongside musical theatre powerhouse Nomi Cohen (Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You) as the sly and ambitious Roxie Hart, and Lily Bourne (Shortland Street, Fun Home) as the sharp and sizzling Velma Kelly. They're joined by screen and stage favourite Joel Tobeck (Shortland Street, One Lane Bridge, Avatar: The Way of Water) as the slick, silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn, seasoned actor Andy Grainger (Jersey Boys, The Brokenwood Mysteries) as Roxie's loyal husband Amos Hart, and multi-discipline artist Hannah Tasker-Poland (Legend of the Seeker, Ash vs Evil Dead) as the fiery inmate Liz. Helmed by acclaimed Kiwi theatre director Michael Hurst ONZM, this striking new staging of Chicago promises to deliver all the scandal, sass and showstopping musical numbers that have made it a global sensation—including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle. Joining him in sculpting the show's dynamic visual world is celebrated choreographer Shona McCullagh MNZM while the elaborate set is being created by award-winning designer Chris Reddington. These showstopping performances are supercharged by some of New Zealand's finest musicians, with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra bringing the heat live on stage in their home cities. Based on real events and created by the legendary Broadway trio John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a searing satire on celebrity and justice, set in a world where fame is the ultimate currency and murder is just the opening act. Chicago centres on Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who dreams of being a vaudeville star. She's cheating on her sweet but dim-witted husband named Amos — and when her lover tries to end their affair, she kills him in a fit of rage. Getting thrown in the Cook County Jail seems like a surefire end to Roxie's dreams of stardom, but her sentence ends up being her ticket to fame. Her lawyer, the smooth-talking Billy Flynn, helps her concoct a defence that earns the press' sympathy and gets her face on the cover of every newspaper in Chicago. And while in jail, Roxie meets Velma Kelly, an established vaudeville star who murdered her husband and sister. The women begin as rivals, as Roxie seeks to steal Velma's lawyer (Billy) and her spotlight, but they come around to an unlikely alliance. Chicago is a spectacle full of social satire, intrigue, love, betrayal, rivalry and friendship, a pageant of music and dance that adroitly shifts between reality and fantasy, as Roxie Hart's world moves from prison to the courtroom to the stage. With a trophy shelf that includes six Tonys, two Oliviers, a Grammy, and six Academy Awards, Chicago is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Don't miss your chance to experience the scandal, seduction and showbiz of Chicago the Musical—live on stage this winter. It would be a crime to miss it.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Ed Sheeran adds second Christchurch show to January 2026 New Zealand tour
Ed Sheeran performed to an adoring crowd of a record 48,000 fans at Sky Stadium in 2023. Photo / Brady Dyer From Auckland, Sheeran will travel to Wellington for a midweek concert on Wednesday, January 21 at Sky Stadium, before finishing the New Zealand leg in Christchurch and heading westwards to Australia. Sheeran's Christchurch shows at Apollo Projects Stadium will be his first in the city in 11 years. Aotearoa: Sheeran's second home To date, the Perfect singer has sold more than 2.5 million tickets to his previous shows across Australia and NZ, making him one of the most in-demand acts in Australasia. He's also one of the few artists to have songs totalling more than one billion streams on Spotify, with his 2017 hit Shape of You breaking multiple records across platforms. Sheeran's adoration of NZ and its fans is well documented. In 2021, he told ZM's Fletch, Vaughan and Megan he would have bought a house in Wellington a decade ago if it weren't for his strong ties to the United Kingdom. The crowd at Ed Sheeran's concert at Eden Park stadium in 2023. Photo / Alex Robertson In 2014, he even made a special appearance in Aotearoa's longest-running TV Soap Shortland Street, treating the residents of Ferndale to an impromptu song. His song I See Fire was written especially for Peter Jackson's second Hobbit film, with the hitmaker also spotted making a pilgrimage to Hobbiton, Matamata. During his last NZ visit, a technical hitch forced him to play an acoustic set at the first of his two Eden Park concerts. Despite the glitches, feedback from the tour was overwhelmingly positive, with Sheeran praised for his showmanship and good-hearted nature. 'I'm sad that I'm leaving in a couple of days,' he told the crowd at the time, revealing how NZ fans helped The A Team become his first big hit. 'But every time I come back here, I feel like one of your own.' Earlier that day, he had performed to a set of lucky schoolkids at Kōwhai Intermediate and Manurewa Intermediate, something he often does on his Kiwi tours. Ed Sheeran: The Loop Tour NZ Auckland- Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 - Go Media Stadium Wellington - Wednesday, January 21 - Sky Stadium Christchurch - Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25 - Apollo Projects Stadium Frontier Members can access presale tickets from Monday, July 28. Tickets go on sale to the general public from Tuesday, July 29. For full tour and ticket information visit
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Ed Sheeran adds second Auckland show to January 2026 New Zealand tour
Ed Sheeran performed to an adoring crowd of a record 48,000 fans at Sky Stadium in 2023. Photo / Brady Dyer From Auckland, Sheeran will travel to Wellington for a midweek concert on Wednesday, January 21 at Sky Stadium, before finishing the New Zealand leg in Christchurch and heading westwards to Australia. Sheeran's Christchurch show, scheduled for Saturday, January 24 at Apollo Projects Stadium, will be his first in the city in 11 years. Aotearoa: Sheeran's second home To date, the Perfect singer has sold more than 2.5 million tickets to his previous shows across Australia and NZ, making him one of the most in-demand acts in Australasia. He's also one of the few artists to have songs totalling more than one billion streams on Spotify, with his 2017 hit Shape of You breaking multiple records across platforms. Sheeran's adoration of NZ and its fans is well documented. In 2021, he told ZM's Fletch, Vaughan and Megan he would have bought a house in Wellington a decade ago if it weren't for his strong ties to the United Kingdom. The crowd at Ed Sheeran's concert at Eden Park stadium in 2023. Photo / Alex Robertson In 2014, he even made a special appearance in Aotearoa's longest-running TV Soap Shortland Street, treating the residents of Ferndale to an impromptu song. His song I See Fire was written especially for Peter Jackson's second Hobbit film, with the hitmaker also spotted making a pilgrimage to Hobbiton, Matamata. During his last NZ visit, a technical hitch forced him to play an acoustic set at the first of his two Eden Park concerts. Despite the glitches, feedback from the tour was overwhelmingly positive, with Sheeran praised for his showmanship and good-hearted nature. 'I'm sad that I'm leaving in a couple of days,' he told the crowd at the time, revealing how NZ fans helped The A Team become his first big hit. 'But every time I come back here, I feel like one of your own.' Earlier that day, he had performed to a set of lucky schoolkids at Kōwhai Intermediate and Manurewa Intermediate, something he often does on his Kiwi tours. Ed Sheeran: The Loop Tour NZ Auckland- Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 - Go Media Stadium Wellington - Wednesday, January 21 - Sky Stadium Christchurch - Saturday, January 24 - Apollo Projects Stadium Frontier Members can access presale tickets from Monday, July 28. Tickets go on sale to the general public from Tuesday, July 29. For full tour and ticket information visit
