Daily Archives: 25 February, 2020

Four hands, one piano. Discover the double act who ‘declassify’ classical music.

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The internationally acclaimed pianists and supreme showmen, Worbey & Farrell have entertained all over the globe and achieved millions of hits on YouTube with their sparky comedy and sensational piano-playing. Now they return to Brighton Dome this March as part of Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Sunday afternoon concert series, bringing their own unique style to the world’s greatest music.

“We like to think of the piano as a symphony orchestra” said Steven Worbey. “We like to utilise the piano to its full potential.”

 

Having performed everywhere from the Royal Opera House to the maiden voyage of Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 to ITV’s This Morning, their work is diverse, ranging from a two-month sell-out run in Vienna of the Canadian smash-hit play, Two Pianos Four Hands, to performing in shows with the late Mickey Rooney in the USA. In 2018 they made their debut with the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra playing Malcolm Arnold’s Piano Concerto and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals.

Each of the pieces performed in this concert is a unique arrangement which can take months to finesse. Their version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, described by Worbey as “very rhapsodic!”, took a year to orchestrate. With Prokofiev’s classic Peter & the Wolf, the audience are told to expect a very different ending. “It’s Peter & the Wolf with a difference” says Kevin Farrell. “It’s normally set in Russia; ours is set in Doncaster.”

Expect a show for all the family, as Worbey & Farrell give the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra the weekend off and take centre stage on their single piano stool. The programme includes their own version of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Addinsell’s iconic Warsaw Concerto, Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf, the theme from Ladies in Lavender and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

You’ve probably never seen a piano played like this before, so be prepared to be moved, excited and amazed with the sheer ingenuity and style of these masters of musical mayhem.

Tickets £14.50-£42.50 (50% student/under 18’s discount) from Brighton Dome Ticket Office, (01273) 709709, www.brightondome.org

Discounted parking (just £6 between 1 & 6pm) available at NCP Church Street car park.

Four hands, one piano. Discover the double act who ‘declassify’ classical music.

Posted on by

The internationally acclaimed pianists and supreme showmen, Worbey & Farrell have entertained all over the globe and achieved millions of hits on YouTube with their sparky comedy and sensational piano-playing. Now they return to Brighton Dome this March as part of Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Sunday afternoon concert series, bringing their own unique style to the world’s greatest music.

“We like to think of the piano as a symphony orchestra” said Steven Worbey. “We like to utilise the piano to its full potential.”

Having performed everywhere from the Royal Opera House to the maiden voyage of Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 to ITV’s This Morning, their work is diverse, ranging from a two-month sell-out run in Vienna of the Canadian smash-hit play, Two Pianos Four Hands, to performing in shows with the late Mickey Rooney in the USA. In 2018 they made their debut with the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra playing Malcolm Arnold’s Piano Concerto and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals.

Each of the pieces performed in this concert is a unique arrangement which can take months to finesse. Their version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, described by Worbey as “very rhapsodic!”, took a year to orchestrate. With Prokofiev’s classic Peter & the Wolf, the audience are told to expect a very different ending. “It’s Peter & the Wolf with a difference” says Kevin Farrell. “It’s normally set in Russia; ours is set in Doncaster.”

Expect a show for all the family, as Worbey & Farrell give the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra the weekend off and take centre stage on their single piano stool. The programme includes their own version of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Addinsell’s iconic Warsaw Concerto, Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf, the theme from Ladies in Lavender and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

You’ve probably never seen a piano played like this before, so be prepared to be moved, excited and amazed with the sheer ingenuity and style of these masters of musical mayhem.

Tickets £14.50-£42.50 (50% student/under 18’s discount) from Brighton Dome Ticket Office, (01273) 709709, www.brightondome.org

Discounted parking (just £6 between 1 & 6pm) available at NCP Church Street car park.

BILL HAYLEY’S LEGACY IS COMET’ING INTO WORTHING

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Gina Haley, the daughter of the Daddy of Rock and Roll, Bill Haley, is heading to the UK and to the lovely coastal Sussex town of Worthing this weekend.
On Saturday 29th February, the UK’s No.1 swing and jive band and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists, The Jive Aces will be celebrating 10 years of their Big Jive All-Dayer at the Worthing Assembly Hall where Gina will be sharing the stage with the band.
The Jive Aces met Gina in Texas a couple of years ago during one of their bi-annual US tours when they were playing at a theatre in Dallas. Gina, who also sang in the local gospel choir, joined them onstage for a few songs and the rest is history. Not only has she inherited the talents of her late father who created a stir across the world when him and his “Rock Around the Clock’ hit the charts in 1955, but she is a talented and successful singer, songwriter and performer in her own right. She has a love for rhythm and blues and the very roots of the rock and roll that her father made famous. Gina will be performing a soul stirring set of 1950s roots music at the Big Jive in Worthing.
The Jive Aces, well known for trend setting, created the Big Jive at Lakeside in Frimley Green, Surrey, well known for televising the World Darts Championships that back in the day hosted the likes of  Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, Frankie Vaughan and  Sammy Davis Jr, etc.
The event then moved to the lovely seaside town of Worthing at the Assembly Hall, a lovely room with a brand new sprung dance floor good enough to excite any Strictly fan and an absolute treat for those 12 hour straight marathon-style dancers who also want to look after their knees.
The band decided to launch the Big Jive after the huge success of their Summertime Swing festival and thus the winter based Big Jive All-Dayer was born to keep the dancer’s feet happy in the colder months!
Typically, the All-Dayer features 5 top vintage jive, swing and Rock and Roll bands, 3 DJs , vintage stalls and for those who need a break, Worthing has large range of shops, restaurants to suit your taste buds or even a stroll by the seaside or perhaps a traditional fish and chips or the food provided by the venue.
As well as Miss Haley, this year’s line-up is yet another fantastic one. It includes Stevie & The Shakedown, Sarah Mai & her Rhythm Riots featuring Cody Lee on piano, The Hadacol Hotshots Hillbilly Revue with special guests  Lew Lewis and Sharna Mae.
The Jive Aces will headline the event with Australian special guest singer, the glamourous Kara Lane and Lottie B on the low and rich sound of the baritone sax.
The DJs are Eight Beat Mac (Dave Fairbairn), Sing Out Si (Simon Stemp) and Swinging Rocking Daddy from the Netherlands. This hard rocking line-up will keep your feet busy on the dance-floor and if you fancy a fresh set of clothes, the stalls sell a variety of vintage gear for men and women.
This is a leap year, so the band is providing a “Cupid Corner” photo back drop where the ladies will be able to propose to the men and thus immortalize the moment with a selfie.
The event is known to sell out, so get your ticket ahead of time and enjoy the swingiest winter festival of the nation! Tickets available from www.worthingtheatres.co.uk