Ardhowen Theatre stages something a little different this coming Saturday 7th July at 8.00pm with a show entitled 'Dickie Ray Remembers The Irish Showband Legends'. It's a unique one-man tribute to all the greats of the Irish showband era, featuring on screen footage; costumes changes and almost fifty songs performed live. Hear all the hits of all the favourite showband stars such as The Cadets, Big Tom, Joe Dolan, Brendan Bowyer, The Clipper Carlton, The Dixies, Doc Carroll an the Royal Blues, The Freshmen, Dickie Rock etc.etc.
Scottish Troubadours
The popular Alexander Brothers return to the Ardhowen stage on Saturday 14th July at 8.00pm with a great evening's entertainment of all things Scottish. It is now 48 years since they made their first appearance as professional entertainers at the Webster Theatre in Arbroath, Scotland. Ross Bowie became their Manager, an association that lasted 35 years. He introduced them to songwriter Tony Hatch who took them to London and recording fame. They had their own TV series for many years and appeared on the legendary 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium'. They have appeared in all the top venues all over the world including the Carnegie Hall, New York and the famous Sydney Opera House.
They were born in Cambusnethan, near Wishaw. Their father, Jimmy worked in the local steel works and was the driving force behind the family. Their musical talents came from Mum, Helen who sang and played the piano. Tom started to learn the accordion at the age of 9 and in 1952 won the Classical Open Solo at the N.A.O Championships in Glasgow. Jack started piano studies when 11 and within 6 years had several diplomas to his name.
On leaving school the 'boys', as they were affectionately known, gained valuable experience in front of live audiences by entering talent contests all over central Scotland. They went on to win every contest they entered, from 1950 - 1956, at which time Jack did his National Service. In 1958 they decided to turn professional and soon developed a repertoire of Scottish material. In 1962 came a major break. Songwriter Tony Hatch heard them and took them down to London to record their first Album "Highland Fling", on the PYE Label which was a massive seller. In 1964 they recorded "Nobody's Child" as a single, it was an instant hit. The critics noted that the "boys" were outselling the Beatles in Scotland! Tom and Jack went on to record over 30 albums and countless singles for PYE and RCA. Offers from Radio and T.V came flooding in. They co-starred with Shirley Bassey in 1967 on the famous 'London Palladium Show' and hosted their own show on STV, which topped the ratings for many years.
Around this time they made their first trip to Canada and the States with Andy Stewart, playing all the major venues. They have been back every year since. Next they went to Australia and New Zealand. In Sydney they starred in their own show at the 'Sydney Opera House' with guest Jimmy Shand, an enormous success, a highlight of an incredible career.
They continue to tour and record to this very day and show no signs of stopping. An enjoyable evening is guaranteed.
Summer Comedy Theatre
As we all know, everyone loves a laugh and Ardhowen's three week Summer Season of Comedy Plays is designed just for that. The Season opens on Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st July nightly at 8.00pm when the ever popular Belvoir Players present Sam Cree's hilarious comedy 'The Love Nest'.
Edna Willis is a prominent member of the women's institute and has agreed to host a visit from a foreign visitor to improve 'international relationships'. Enda is called to her brother's home for the weekend to look after his children while his wife is in hospital. Unfortunately the regional secretary of her W.I. branch is very incompetent and the visitor, who is now to be looked after by Enda's long suffering husband Alf, turns out to be a very 'with it' Chinese girl. To add to the confusion, the secretary has mistakenly booked two other visitors into the Willis household, a very domineering Lady Russian Coal Miner and a beautiful Hawaiian girl who add to poor old Alf's discomfort. Add to this mix Alf's father-in-law's penchant for 'girly magazines', and that Alf has agreed to look after two pet mice for a friend who is emigrating to Australia and the ingredients are there for the usual pot-pouri of fun and hilarity and a memorable night of light entertainment.
The second play in this Comedy Season is from the popular Southbank Theatre, who bring Phillip King's madcap farce to the Ardhowen stage on Thursday 26th, Friday 27th and Saturday 28th July at 8.00pm. Set in the idyllic village of Merton-cum-Middlewick, where the village inhabitants are preparing themselves for the imminent threat of Nazi invasion. Resident nosy-parker and spinster, Miss Skillon, becomes convinced that her beloved vicar's actress wife is having an affair and attempts to expose her. Add an escaped German prisoner of war, a handsome actor, the visiting Bishop of Lax, a rotund locum priest and some meddling neighbours and you have all the ingredients for a classic British comedy.
The final play in the Summer Theatre of Comedy Season is from the talented and ever popular Beezneez Theatre Company who present the classic Ray Cooney West End farce, 'Funny Money' for three performances on Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th August at 8.00pm. If you are not familiar with the script it features Henry, a run of the mill office worker who mistakenly picks up a suitcase that contains £735,000 instead of his own briefcase that contains a cheese sandwich.
He tries to persuade his wife Jean that she should shun friend Vic and Betty for a first class flight to Barcelona. During the night many characters arrive, including an irate taxi driver, a police officer and a corrupt detective.
Every character is introduced to the arriving guests as someone else than they really are. Betty becomes a sister from Australia, for example.
This leads to some very confused but very funny dialogue leading to a hilarious conclusion.
