27/01/2012 - SHOWBIZWORKS PRODUCE COMEDY CARPET LIVE WEEKEND - Showbizworks appointed to create and produce weekend of comedy for Blackpool with headliners Barry and Stuart from The Magician's

You'd be a fool to miss out on the laughs taking place in Blackpool this April as Marketing Blackpool has announced the launch of Comedy Carpet Live, a festival of shows created and produced by Showbizworks taking place over April Fool's weekend, 31st March and 1st April 2012. It is set to become an annual celebration the week before Easter, and is inspired by Blackpool's latest piece of public artwork, The Comedy Carpet on the Tower Festival Headland.
Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Marketing Blackpool said: "This event complements the success of the Comedy Carpet on the Tower Festival Headland and has been planned to help to kick start the season by bringing in visitors early for Easter. We intend to make this an annual event as Blackpool is steeped in comedy heritage making the town perfect for supporting new and established talent."
The live shows kick off on Saturday evening at 9.30pm, with the Merrie England Bar on North Pier hosting an adult comedy show starring Manchester based group Slaughterhouse Live. They already have a cult following on the comedy circuit and have had their own show on Granada, but incredibly, this will be their debut performance in Blackpool. Following sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, a critic from The List said: "This five-strong comedy cabaret pulsates with enough anarchic energy to power a small European principality."
On Sunday afternoon at North Pier Theatre, Comedy 4 Kids will provide something for children and families with an hour long show featuring CBBC and Royal Variety Show stars Big Howard and Little Howard; Show Me The Funny finalist Stuart Goldsmith; and Comedy 4 Kids star Tiernan Douieb, the latter of whom hopes to go on Dragon's Den to present his idea of putting zips on pitta breads!
The weekend culminates with the Comedy Carpet Live Gala Show at The Grand Theatre starring comedy illusionists Barry and Stuart from BBC television's prime time show The Magicians. Also on the bill will be musical comedy double act Frisky and Mannish (as heard on BBC Radio 1 and stars of their own sell out London Hammersmith Apollo and Edinburgh shows); ‘children's entertainer' Jeremy Lion (alter ego of Justin Edwards from Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week); comedy legend Bernie Clifton, who is featured on the promenade's Comedy Carpet; and Chris Ramsay, soon to be seen in his own BBC series, complete the line up. Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Jason Cook who has appeared on various TV comedy shows including Russell Howard's Good News.
Martin explained: "We wanted to create an event that could grow and evolve into something that would eventually drive significant business into the town by extending the start of the traditional season. Marketing Blackpool share that vision and Comedy Carpet Live will help to raise the profile of the new regenerated Blackpool and position the town as a platform for more contemporary artistes. We have tried to reflect this in the line-up of artistes with a nod to comedy legends. Many of the performers have not been seen in the town before and we are keen to break new ground with this event each year by placing Blackpool firmly back on the map for attracting the best comedy talent."
Tickets for the shows are available from 10am on Monday 30 January. For further information, or to book tickets, please click Visit Blackpoolor call 01253 478222
Slaughterhouse Live and Comedy for Kids take place on North Pier, Blackpool. For ticket information and bookings visit North Pier online or call 01253 623304, or go to visitblackpool.com/comedylive or telephone 01253 478222
Comedy Carpet Live Gala takes place at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool. For ticket information and bookings visit Grand box office or call 01253 743339
23/01/2012 - RUSSELL GRANT IS NEW WIZARD IN THE WEST END! - Russell Grant takes over from Michael Crawford as the new wizard in the West End production of The Wizard of Oz
Strictly Come Dancing star Russell Grant is to replace Michael Crawford in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End musical The Wizard of Oz. Already an accomplished actor, singer and dancer, Russell will play the part of the Wizard from 14 February for a 12-week run and will be choreographed by Arlene Phillips. Russell said that it is thanks to the great British public who supported him throughout Strictly Come Dancing that is now enabling him to return to his first love, musical theatre. Russell can be booked through Showbizworks for corporate events or for PA's with Vincent and Flavia. Click Russell Grant for more information
03/01/2012 - DANIEL WHISTON IN DANCING ON ICE NEW SERIES - Daniel Whiston, professional ice dancer and twice winner appears in the new series of Dancing on Ice
The new series of Dancing on Ice begins next Sunday on ITV at 6.30pm and professional ice dancer Daniel Whiston (solely represented by our sister company World Dance Managementwill be partnering actress Jennifer Ellison in the hope that he can achieve a hat trick of trophies having previously won the series with Gaynor Faye in 2006 and with Hayley Tamaddon in 2010. Daniel competed nationally and internationally and was a UK Gold Medallist and Welsh Champion by the time he turned professional at 19 years old. Following the end of the series, Daniel will also be touring with the show playing arenas around the country.
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Call Me Laura

Laura has just released her debut album 'Sometimes I' which is in record shops now and her single 'What Do We Do' is on the BBC Radio 2 playlist. Terry Wogan has said on air "Excellent album and and an excellent singer".
Laura already counts Jamie Foxx, Robbie Williams, Ronan Keating and Mika as among her fans, so you know she must have something special. On listening to Liverpool's latest music sensation Laura Critchley for the first time, it's immediately apparent why she's attracted such early acclaim and earned comparisons with female songwriting icon Carol King; it's hard to believe that a 24 year old can produce a voice of such effortless beauty and write songs that recall the classics of modern pop music.
Laura's first experience of the limelight came at the tender age of six, when she was asked to sing in front of 1000 people in Liverpool's Floral Pavillion. However, it wasn't the most auspicious way to begin a career in music, as stage fright took hold of her; she burst in to tears and ran off stage! This early setback back didn't deter Laura and by the time she was 10, she was back on stage regularly performing with the local theatre group ‘Jigsaw'. Singing and dancing regularly in front of large audiences quickly developed her confidence and by the time she left Jigsaw at 16 she was an accomplished performer and had already written her first song, "Change".
Despite some natural scepticism from her Dad, Laura was determined to forge a career for herself within the music industry. She started buying entertainment trade paper The Stage every week, and applying for competitions, travelling with her Mum to auditions across the country. Her first big break came in 2001 when she entered Fame Academy. Still only 16, she managed to get down to the last 50 out of 36,000 and became firm friends with Lemar but she just missed the cut for the final 12 housemates.
Not deterred by this first venture into TV broadcast, Laura then sent her music off to a TV production company looking for original material. "First up" was presented by Sarah Caywood, on Sky TV. The 10,000 entrants were narrowed down to 6, of which Laura was one, but eventually she lost out to a Ska punk band!
Her family continued to worry about her not focussing on a traditional career and Laura eventually decided to take a job in a bank. But she continued to write songs and melodies, working with musicians who were able to produce the music backing to her lyrics and harmonies. Having written several great songs that would eventually go on to feature on her debut album, Laura used her evenings and weekends to send out demos to producers, managers and labels. She even began using her holiday time to travel down to London to follow up her packages personally, arriving at the reception desks of some of the country's biggest music companies and convincing the receptionist that she had a really urgent appointment with the company's top A&Rs! This rather cheeky approach paid off and after receiving encouraging feedback from several top industry figures, Laura gained the confidence to abandon the alternative career in banking and move down to London permanently.
Laura was approached by Big Print Records boss Andrew Gemmell to perform at a company 10th anniversary party. Also present at the event was Jeremy Marsh the man responsible for the careers of Take That, Annie Lennox, and Craig David amongst others. Jeremy was stunned by Laura's performance and convinced Andrew that he should sign her immediately.
Before Mika hit the big time, he and Laura used to exchange tips and ideas on how to break in to the industry and Robbie Williams' producer Steve Power agreed to produce her album after hearing the 4 songs on her profile. She has since been to LA for a photo shoot with Robbie Williams' photographer.
Laura is currently on tour supporting re-formed massive pop group Boyzone.
What The Media Are Saying:
"Keep an ear out for her. Laura Critchley, excellent record" - Terry Wogan BBC Radio 2
"An upbeat album full of well written, radio friendly songs… In a world of manufactured, synthetic vocals, it's very refreshing to hear a quality singer, singing great acoustic songs" Acoustic Magazine
"Watch Out… for singer Laura Critchley" Rav Singh, News of the World
"A sweet husky voice" Daily Star
"Superstar is every inch a hit single" Fred Dellar (Freelancer for Q)
"A series of lush orchestration draped ruminations… Critchley has considerable talent…Sometimes I is an enjoyable collection of songs." www.bbc.co.uk
"Shimmering debut from Merseyside's country-tinged folk-pop princess." – Subba-cultcha.com
"It is just a matter of time before Laura's album is in the charts" Musicomh.com
"You'd be hard pushed to find a more note perfect vocal performance.. This girl could go global" Getreadytorock.com
"This batch of songs and this lady's dreamily strong singing put this album in the Top Ten releases of the year, no question" Fairhearing.co.uk
"The album's title track is a summer sunshine moment of pure pop artistry… Extremely talented and pretty too Laura has the potential to break into a pop chart dominated by singer songwriters who are all surface and no substance. Laura seems set to buck that trend". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk
"A good voice with just a hint of huskiness and it combines well with the rock-lite backings" ukmusic.com
"An easy listening style of rock inspired pop" The Magazine
"Laura's debut album Sometimes I is a fun and light hearted pop album with fantastic singalong songs, power ballads and catchy tunes. Her sound is somewhere between Natalie Imbruglia, Lena Marlin and Avril Lavigne on a lazy Sunday morning. She is definitely one to watch!" North South Magazine
"She has a clarity and vibrancy that belie her relatively tender years and shows here that she's ready to take on all-comers" Toxicpete.co.uk
For availability contact Showbizworks Entertainment Agency on local rate call : O845 6381808 e-mail : info@showbizworks.com
Showbizworks.com has a huge database of celebrities and well known faces from the world of radio, television and music, many of whom are not featured on our website. If you are interested in hiring a celebrity, a famous speaker, a well known band or other live performer, our expertise lies in matching the relevant entertainment that meets the aims and objectives of your conference, corporate event or private party. Please call us on 0845 638 1808 and let's talk about your event or alternatively you can send an email to info@showbizworks.com
Laura Critchley |
Sometimes I (Remix) |
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