Cirque Du Ciel: ShangHi 2011 comes to a close

After a superb tour reaching the furthest corners of the country, our Cirque Du Ciel: ShangHi production has finally decided to put its feet up for a little rest before returning for a year-long European and British tour.

Travelling from either end of the country visiting 21 theatres in total, from the Jersey Opera House to Hull New Theatre, this fantastic production has enjoyed standing ovations from hundreds of people. This is a credit to the hard work and sheer audacity of the fantastic troupe who have journeyed from Beijing specially to perform for the British audiences who have been so welcoming.

The production has been simply magical, with beautiful costumes and sets, and those special dream-like performances. The final performance took place in Hull on the 15th of October to a fantastic reception, and the troupe were very sad to say goodbye to their 2011 performance tour.

This marvellous extravaganza combined acrobatics, modern dance, original music, martial arts and many other Chinese elements in an amazing adventure, an unforgettable spectacle that you will find hard to believe.

Cirque Du Ciel: ShangHi featured a combination of evocative lighting, amazing acrobatics and decadent costumes that has ascinated every audience member. Enhanced by a score of original music that highlights the magical aura of the show,  this stunning production showcased the skills of not only the performers but the world class team behind the scenes... taking you beyond gravity. Including traditional Chinese acrobatics and stunts, and amazing magical illusions this production, ShangHi took audiences on a journey through the mysterious dreams of a little girl as she delves into her fantasies. 

We are pleased to announce that due to popular demand, Cirque Du Ciel: ShangHi will be returning to the UK in 2012! Dates are soon to be confirmed and we cannot wait to share these with our fabulous audiences. 

Patrick Gough, Bournemouth Echo at Bournemouth
"Superb, stupendous, breathtaking - there are not enough adjectives to describe this magnificent entertainment...with magnificent costumes, set and lighting, this stunning production showcases the skills of world-class performers."

Broadway World at Wimbledon
"The Cirque formula keeps the pace high with the music driving the show forward and no breaks in the high jinks for animal acts or clowns. The end product sits somewhere between showbusiness and sport, circus and sensation, tradition and the twenty-first century leaving  the audience to emerge thrilled and blinking into the night exhausted just by watching."

Public Reviews at Bradford
"Direction makes the show sharp and crisp, so that one remarkable thing overlaps another. As diablos, hats and acrobats go flying through the air with incredibly precise timing, you sometimes can’t believe what you are seeing. You would need a slow motion replay to fully appreciate some of the amazing action... The show is a two hour, heart-warming display of youthful agility, daring, skill, showmanship and strength. You almost don’t get enough chance to clap, as the action moves slickly from one amazing feat to another... for a show that is pure entertainment, simply memorable."

Photos thanks to Henry Murphy.

These international theatre sensations brought the delight of acrobatics, mystery and unbelievable skill to every audience member. They are very excited about the opportunity to return to theatres across the country next year!

For more information please visit www.theatre-productions.com, for the last updates, photographs and more. 

Over The Rainbow raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support

Brian Fortuna (Danny), Sarah Jane Buckley (Eva), Maureen Nolan (Barbara) at the fund-raising luncheon.

On a damp and drizzly lunchtime in Jesmond, the cast and crew of a hit musical gathered at a local restaurant and invited fifty guests to join them for an afternoon of fund-raising, food and fabulous entertainment in a place ‘where troubles melt like lemon drops’.

To coincide with the seventh sensational UK tour of the award-winning and compelling musical, Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story, which journeys through Eva’s tragically short life, Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant in association with Theatre Productions Limited held an exclusive VIP Charity Lunch to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. If you or someone you know has been affected by this then please do not hesitate to contact Macmillan for further advice.

The event took place on Wednesday 12^th October from 12 noon until 2.30pm. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbly. In addition to enjoying a two course Italian meal of the finest quality, this was followed by coffee and mints. This all took place in the resplendent surroundings of Franco’s - with its glamorous chandeliers, candlelit tables, Italian baroque furniture, and Swarovski crystal studded seating. 

Guests were also treated to an afternoon of fantastic entertainment, presented by the North East’s very own Steve Walls, an entertainer who is now widely regarded as one of the UK’s top compères.

Contrary to the popular legend, there was no leprechaun sitting at the end of this particular rainbow, but Irish eyes were certainly smiling on the face of the gorgeous Maureen Nolan (The Naked Truth, Blood Brothers and The Nolans) who plays the role of Barbara Cassidy in Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story. And, Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks), who heads the cast as Eva, proved to be the perfect ‘songbird’ with a hauntingly beautiful performance of ‘Over The Rainbow’ – the title song of the musical and the track that triggered Eva Cassidy’s posthumous success.

Strictly Come Dancing sensation Brian Fortuna, who makes his eagerly-anticipated acting debut as Danny Cassidy in the show, and other members of the company also met and mingled with guests and took time to pose for snapshots and sign autographs. The Whitley Bay Playhouse hosted the Over The Rainbow show on the evenings of the 11th and 12th of October to coincide with the fantastic fundraiser which drew large audiences.

Images courtesy of Steve Burbridge

Also in attendance were two of the North East’s most familiar and favourite faces... Pam Royle and Ian Payne, from ITV Tyne Tees, took time out from the hustle and bustle of the North East Tonight newsroom to lend their support to this worthy cause.

A charity raffle was drawn during the event and several lucky guests won fabulous prizes from a selection of luxury goods which were kindly donated by a number of companies including Clay’s Garden Centre, Villeroy & Boch, Nexus, Tyneside Cinema & Coffee Rooms, Blue Genie Entertainment, Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant and Theatre Productions Limited. 

Judith Graziani of Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant said: “Few of us go through life without being touched by cancer in some way and it is vital that we support charities such as Macmillan Cancer Care. This fantastic Over The Rainbow VIP Charity Lunch was a hugely successful event and a very worthwhile way of continuing our ongoing commitment to holding charity events here at Franco’s.”

Stephen Leatherland, the producer and director of Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story, added: “The show is intended to be a truthful, heartfelt tribute to Eva’s life and talents and this VIP Charity Lunch was a wonderful way of raising money for such a worthy cause.”

The Over The Rainbow VIP Charity Lunch raised a grand total of £455.00.

Did you attend this fantastic fundraiser? We'd love to hear from you.

For further information, please contact Steve Burbridge, Press & Marketing Officer for Theatre Productions Ltd via their website or e-mail steveburbridge@blueyonder.co.uk.