If great nights out gladden your heart, OnFife’s new season of shows will help banish the winter blues.
The cultural charity has unveiled a programme of upcoming events that’s big on music and mirth – and has something for all ages and tastes.
At the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy, TV star turned stand-up Gail Porter, fresh from a run of sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, presents Hung, Drawn and Portered on 1 March.
Musical highlights include a performance of boundary-bursting Graffiti Classics by the world-renowned Comedy String Quartet on 14 March.
TV and cinema star Ricky Tomlinson takes to the stage on 22 March in Irish Annie’s – a brand new musical play where singalong sheets are handed out pre-show to all attending.
Audience participation is also a key part of the show in the ‘oink-tastic’ family musical The Three Little Pigs, which has an afternoon outing on 6 April.
Top tribute acts are playing the venue too. Counterfeit Sixties showcases great music from an unforgettable era on 17 February and the ultimate Celine Dion tribute show, My Heart Will Go On, is set to sparkle on 16 March.
The venue will also host three productions by local groups. Kirkcaldy Youth Musical Theatre presents Sister Act from 22-24 February, Kirkcaldy Gilbert & Sullivan Society performs The Mikado from 7-9 March and Kirkcaldy Amateur Operatic Society Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Company’ from 25-27 April.
Highlights at the Rothes Hall in Glenrothes include a night to remember with two snooker greats – Stephen Hendry and John Higgins – who go head-to-head in a Clash of the Titans on 27 March.
Meanwhile hitting headlines recently was the news that Scottish legend Lulu has hand-picked Rothes Halls for one of only two warm-up gigs ahead of her landmark 60th anniversary tour and she’ll be wowing audiences in the new town on 6 April.
There will be no shortage of laughs when the ever-popular Gary Meikle is back in Glenrothes with a brand-new stand-up show – No Refunds – on 10 February. And fans of Jim Davidson will be in comedy heaven when the comic unleashes Swimming Against the Tide on 19 April.
Two popular musical acts will make welcome returns – Scots trad favourites North Sea Gas on 6 April and Irish folk legends The Fureys on 11 April.
The venue is to host a stellar line-up of tribute acts. Lovers of soul can experience The Magic of Motown on 24 February; fans of George Michael can savour the songs of George Michael in Fastlove on 29 February; and AC/DC diehards can recharge with the Livewire show on 8 March.
Seven Drunken Nights retells the story of folk icons the Dubliners on 30 March, Get It On promises a night of glam rock revelry on 20 April and the Freddie & Queen Experience takes centre stage on 27 April.
The venue will also feature two productions by local groups – Disney’s High School Musical by Gama Youth from 15-17 February and Little Stars 24, featuring lower school pupils from Cheryl Crawford Dance Studios. on 2 March.
Comedy and music are on offer at Lochgelly Centre too, as well as a whole variety of shows from local performing arts groups, dance schools and Fife school pupils. Stand-up Dee Maxwell presents Men, Menopause and Mars Bars on 23 February and Desperados celebrates the music and legacy of The Eagles on 12 March.
Great gigs and gags galore are also part of the mix in the new season of shows at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall.
Also waiting in the wings is an evening with a true sporting great. Cycling fans can be part of An Audience with Sir Bradley Wiggins on 18 April, or even meet and greet the man himself, as the former World and Olympic champion reflects on an illustrious career that included a memorable Tour De France win.
Top tributes playing in the venue include the Stevie Agnew Band with After the Last Waltz, a celebration of the music of The Band on 10 February. Also lined up is Absolute Elvis featuring Johnny Lee Memphis, which conjures up the magic of The King on 15 March, and Someone Like You – a homage to the Adele songbook – on 20 April.
On a different note, the Royal Marines Band Scotland, who are performing a season of concerts, will present shows packed with musical delights on 18 February and 28 March.
Comedy shows by Kieran Hodgson – a star of BBC sitcom Two Doors Down – and Rosyth funny man Ross Leslie are scheduled for 29 February and 6 April respectively.
A rip-roaring night of live stand-up on 14 March – presented by Gilded Balloon and hosted by Jay Lafferty – will feature Eleanor Tiernan, Susan Riddell, Marc Jennings and fan-favourite Maisie Adam.
Community Events and Programme Manager, Karen Taylor, says: “Spring brings us another packed programme across our theatres with something for everyone. I am looking forward to welcoming Lulu to Rothes Halls in April as she embarks on her farewell tour, having a sing-along with Ricky Tomlinson in Irish Annie’s at Adam Smith and having a laugh with Dee Wallace in Lochgelly. Please check out our website for further details and hopefully I will see you soon in one of our venues.”
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Notes to editors: OnFife is a registered charity and manages and operates theatres, libraries, museums and galleries and cultural partnerships on behalf of Fife Council for people living, working and visiting Fife. Further information can be found at www.onfife.com
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