'For You Blue' - Liverpool Philharmonic and the Bootleg Beatles Celebrating The Beatles Greatest Hits 1967 to 1970

ON Friday, 5 July 2024, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the nation's premier Beatles group The Bootleg Beatles join forces again in a special concert celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles' Blue Album.

Following on from their huge success with:- 'And In The End' in 2021 and:- 'Sgt Pepper' in 2017, the latest collaboration between:- The Bootleg Beatles and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is a 50th Anniversary celebration of the release of The Beatles' 1967 to 1970, affectionately known as:- 'The Blue Album.'

Encompassing the period from:- 'Sgt Pepper' and 'Magical Mystery Tour' through to:- 'Abbey Road' and 'Let It Be,' this is an extraordinary chance to witness:- 'the concert that never was,' featuring all the classic late period Beatles hits, including:- 'All You Need is Love,' 'Hey Jude,' 'A Day in the Life' and 'Here Comes the Sun,' complete with full throttle symphonic sound.

This unique production will premiere at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on:- Friday, 5 July 20245, from:- 7.30pm, before touring to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead, on:- Sunday, 7 July 2024, and Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on:- Monday, 8 July 2024.

Tickets for Liverpool are now on sale from the:- MAndCBankArena.Com, and tickets will go on sale from:- Friday, 16 February 2024, for:- Gateshead and Edinburgh, on TheGlasshouseICM.Org.

The music has been specially arranged for the majesty of a full size orchestra and the ('magically real' NME) Bootleg Beatles. The orchestra will be conducted by Richard Balcombe.

Richard Haswell, Liverpool Philharmonic's Head of Programme (Hall and Events) said:- "We're delighted to be once again reuniting with the Bootleg Beatles to present this phenomenal album in an exciting concert that we're sure will transport the audience back to 50 years ago when the album was 1st released. To present this concert in Liverpool and in some of the UK's most prestigious venues is a real privilege. It's the perfect way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Blue Album, highlighting the continued resonance and influence that 4 lads from Liverpool and their music continue to exert on the world today."

Neil Harrison of The Bootleg Beatles said:- "After the huge success of our previous concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra we're thrilled to be back together once again bringing the power of the Beatles and of a full live Orchestra to audiences"

Comedy legend Ben Elton announced for 2024 Southport Comedy Festival

ORGANISERS of the annual Southport Comedy Festival are thrilled to announce the addition of comedy legend Ben Elton to this year's line up.

Ben Elton will be bringing his hotly anticipated new show to the 2024 Southport Comedy Festival, in association with Halliwell Jones, at Victoria Park, Southport, on:- Wednesday, 9 October 2024.

Tickets went on sale on:- Wednesday, 31 January 2024, at 10am, available via the Southport Comedy festival's website.

Following the huge success of Ben Elton's critically acclaimed sold out UK tour in 2019, which marked his return to stand up comedy after a 15 year hiatus, the undisputed godfather of modern stand up is going back on the road with a brand new live show; Authentic Stupidity. Taking in 54 dates across the UK and Ireland, the tour opens at:- York Barbican, on:- 1 September 2024, and culminates in London's West End on:- 18 November 2024.

The world has changed a lot since Ben last toured 5 years ago; a whole new existential threat has emerged to challenge our very existence: Artificial Intelligence. Apparently, it's going to render all human life meaningless, but Ben is here to warn you that AI is not the greatest threat that we face; it's Authentic Stupidity!

Ben Elton said:- "The verdict's in! Humanity is thick! Homo halfwit. The idiot branch of the Ape family! We need signs to tell us to step off escalators, we elect gibbering fools to lead us and now we've invented Artificial Intelligence which is actually going to replace us! I've spent 45 years in comedy exploring the outer limits of human idiocy and my mission has never been more timely. Forget AI! It's AS we need to be worrying about!"

Ben Elton's multi award winning career spans over 4 decades and includes:- seminal and groundbreaking television shows (The Young Ones, Blackadder, Upstart Crow), West End plays (Popcorn, Upstart Crow), West End musicals (We Will Rock You, The Beautiful Game, Close up: The Twiggy Musical), best selling novels (Stark, Dead Famous, 2 Brothers) and feature films (Maybe Baby, 3 Summers, All is True).

In October last year, Ben returned to Channel 4 for a 1 off revival of Friday Night Live to rave reviews. The reincarnation of the original smash hit Saturday Night Live was critically acclaimed and Ben won the BAFTA for Comedy Entertainment Programme 2023.

Ben Elton is the latest big name to be announced for this year's 17 day Southport Comedy Festival which will be held for a 4th year in a luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees, at:- Victoria Park, in Southport.

Persian Comedy Powerhouse Omid Djalili, German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn and host of smash hit podcast:- 'Have a Word' Dan Nightingale are already on sale with more exciting names to be announced soon.

Keep an eye on the festival's website for more information about:- 'Southport Smile' this October!