Latest news with #UltimateMasterclassFestival
Press and Journal
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen sporting legends event cancelled after Harry Redknapp pulls out for second time
An event featuring sporting legends in Aberdeen has been cancelled due to guest Harry Redknapp withdrawing for the second time. The former West Ham and Tottenham manager was supposed to headline the event which was organised as part of the city's Ultimate Masterclass Festival. He was to share behind-the-scenes stories from his long career alongside guests Gordon Strachan and Paul Lawrie. Originally scheduled to take place on April 1, An Evening with Sporting Legends was postponed when Redknapp pulled out the first time. It is understood this was due to personal circumstances. Organisers Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce confirmed the event would be rescheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 20. However, they have now announced it will not go ahead at all due to Redknapp backing out again. A post shared states: 'It is with regret that we have to announce the cancellation of tomorrow night's Ultimate Masterclass Festival event: 'An Evening with Sporting Legends'. 'Following the withdrawal of Harry Redknapp, for a second time, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the event and refund ticketholders. 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused – however, these circumstances are outwith our control.' Ticketholders have been told they will be contacted by Aberdeen Performing Arts in the coming days to to arrange a refund. A series of events have been planned as part the Ultimate Masterclass Festival, with Sir Chris Hoy to visit the Music Hall for a sold-out night on September 4. Last week, Aberdeen audiences enjoyed entertaining evenings with Louis Theroux and James Corden.
Press and Journal
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Louis Theroux spotted in Aberdeen bar after Music Hall gig
Documentary superstar Louis Theroux was spotted having a tipple at an Aberdeen bar last night. Pictures have emerged of the award-winning filmmaker enjoying a drink at The Grill following his masterclass held yesterday evening. The images show him and guests smiling into the camera. The journalist and documentary-maker ordered a 25-year-old Glenfarclas and was mingling with punters at the Union Street pub. The visit followed Louis Theroux's event held at the Aberdeen Music Hall – part of the Ultimate Masterclass Festival. As part of the talk, he alongside interviewer Fiona Stalker, took 1,300 fans on a whistle-stop tour around his jaw-dropping telly career. Our reviewer Ben Hendry was there at the event, where he described Theroux as a 'effortlessly entertaining raconteur.' He added that the Music Hall show held the audience 'captivated' while occasionally throwing them into 'roaring laughter.' He covered cancel culture, Jimmy Savile, the far right, as well as giving his opinion on the city of Aberdeen itself. The Masterclass Festival will also bring comedian and actor James Corden to Aberdeen tonight. The Grill is one of Aberdeen's most cherished pubs – being over 150 years old. It is famed for its collection of whiskies old and new – and celebrated its 150th birthday in 2020 with its own signature whisky. It made headlines back in the 1970s after a protest was held outside the bar after its infamous ban on women – the dispute helped bring the issue of sex discrimination into the public eye, before it was outlawed two years later in 1975. Read more about the The Grill's history here. You can also see our reporter's review of the Louis Theroux masterclass by clicking here.
Press and Journal
06-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
From start-up to £1m sales in five years for Aberdeen AV entrepreneur
When Aberdeen man Adam Wilson started his own audio-visual company he was determined to build a business he was proud of. Fast forward five years and the 41-year-old has seen his company PCL Live break £1 million turnover. The past year has seen him work with some big names including Dragons' Den stars Steven Bartlett and Sara Davies. Adam has described the record sales as a 'huge moment' as he looks towards expanding the company. PCL Live provides hire, installation, live streaming and production using the latest AV technology. Adam originally launched Live Evolution – now called PCL Live – during a Covid lockdown in 2020. It became part of a joint venture with Aberdeen-based IT support and services company PCL Group in 2022. Adam said: 'Reaching £1 million in turnover is a huge moment for us. 'What started as a lockdown business has grown into one of the UK's most agile and ambitious AV companies. 'That success is down to our brilliant team, our loyal clients and our belief in always delivering above expectations.' Since day one, all profit generated has been reinvested into the business – more than £500,000 to date – to ensure PCL Live remains at the cutting edge of audio-visual technology and service delivery. Adam is now targeting further growth in the months ahead and has promoted Alex Sherman to the role of commercial director to help lead the expansion strategy. The firm is also launching the Pathways programme to help train and inspire the next generation of audio-visual professionals. Adam said: 'With Alex stepping into the commercial director role and our new Pathways programme launching, we're setting the business up for long-term success.' PCL Live has been involved in delivering technical production and installation for a range of major projects and events across the UK. Notable ones include a world-first 163 inch LED touchscreen video wall and a complete AV fit-out for Opportunity North East's flagship SeedPod food and drink innovation hub. On the events side, the team played a key role behind the scenes at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce's Ultimate Masterclass Festival, which has featured Davina McCall and Gary Neville in previous years. Adam said: 'We've invested heavily in our people and our kit, and that's allowed us to compete with – and often outperform – larger firms. And we're just getting started.' PCL Live, based in Golden Square, was a winner at last week's Northern Star Business Awards, picking up the customer service award.
