First it was flying drummers and the best of Lincolnshire’s unsigned bands, now it’s the West End stage that’s coming to Skegness as part of the SO Festival 2010.
Lee Mead will bring his show to the Skegness Embassy Theatre on Sunday 25th July.
The singer, who hit the big time after winning BBC series Any Dream Will Do, will be performing songs from his latest album Nothing Else Matters, as well as well-known West End classics.
Lee is about to take on the role of Fiyero in the musical Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre from May 10th 2010 before touring the UK with his second studio album.
Speaking of the chance to perform at the Embassy Theatre, Lee said: ‘“I remember doing some work experience at similar theatres to Skegness Embassy at The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, assisting with the spotlight. I used to think, ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be great if it was me on stage one day’, and now it is. It’s all a bit surreal, but amazing at the same time.”
Skegness is gearing itself up for the return of the SO Festival, billed as the biggest arts festival this century with four fantastic days of free large scale outdoor events. From Thursday 22 through to Sunday 25 July, the festival will transform Skegness into an international arts venue bringing a colourful carnival of dance, visual art, street theatre, music, world class performances and more.
Organised by East Lindsey District Council with £250,000 support from Arts Council England, this year’s festival promises to make this summer in Lincolnshire the best ever.
There will also be the opportunity for aspiring young musicians to feature in the BBC Introducing programme, a battle of the bands competition which will be broadcast on local BBC radio stations.
Cllr Doreen Stephenson, Leader of East Lindsey District Council, said: “Last year’s SO Festival was such a huge success that we were thrilled to be able to make this year’s event even bigger and better. The SO Festival is a great way to show people that Skegness really can offer them something different and put the resort on the map as an ambitious place to visit and invest.”
Tickets to see Lee in concert are available from Wednesday 05th May at The Embassy Theatre and cost £25.50 / £23.50 concessions. For more information visit www.embassytheatre.co.uk or contact the booking line on 0845 674 0505.
-ENDS-
Issued on behalf of East Lindsey District Council by Lava. For further information contact Matt, Lindsey, Becky or Steph at Lava on 01522 842800 / matt@lavapr.co.uk / lindsey@lavapr.co.uk / becky@lavapr.co.uk / steph@lavapr.co.uk
To view all of Lava’s recent press releases or to sign up to receive them via RSS please visit http://www.lavapr.co.uk/press-releases or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lavapr
Notes to editors
About SO Festival 2010
SO Festival 2010 is being organised by East Lindsey District Council and funded by the Arts Council England.
The name ‘SO Festival’ comes from the town’s iconic marketing message ‘Skegness is so bracing’ which featured in the famous LNER poster campaign of 1908. The poster, which featured the Jolly Fisherman, is considered the most famous holiday poster ever created.
SO stands for Skegness Organises
About Arts Council England
Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives.
As the national development agency for the arts, Arts Council England supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, and carnival to crafts.
Great art inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves, and the world around us. In short, it makes life better.
Between 2008 and 2011, Arts Council England will invest £1.3 billion of public money from government and a further £0.3 billion from the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
