St George’s Hall will be celebrating the best of British wartime entertainment this Remembrance Sunday with a heart-warming afternoon of live music and laughter.
On November 13th, the Hall presents Spirit Of The Blitz, a tribute to the legendary stars who kept us smiling through our darkest days.
Arranged by The Friends of St George’s Hall to raise much-needed funds to maintain the heritage of the building, Spirit of the Blitz recaptures the patriotic optimism of war-torn Britain.
The Friends invite you to come to The Concert Room and sing along to swinging hits like Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree, Bless ‘Em All, Leaning On A Lamp-Post, and of course, We’ll Meet Again.
Starring Andy Eastwood, Maggie O’Hara and Pete Lindup, this feel-good show recreates all your forties favourites, including Vera Lynn, George Formby, Max Miller, Bing Crosby, Anne Shelton and Gracie Fields.
For those who remember the war years, Spirit Of The Blitz is a trip down memory lane; and for those who don’t, it’s a Sentimental Journey back through time to the glorious melodies and good clean comedy that accompanied
the nation’s ‘finest hour’.
The cast includes Andy Eastwood who is very familiar with the songs of the war years, having portrayed George Formby in over a thousand performances of the touring show We’ll Meet Again. He was the only musician ever to gain his Oxford degree playing the ukulele, and is one of the world’s foremost exponents of the instrument. He is also a violin virtuoso, as you will see in the show’s patriotic finale!
Maggie O’Hara delights with her superb vocal talents, in tributes to the legendary “forces’ sweetheart” Dame Vera Lynn, cheery Lancashire lass Gracie Fields and sultry songstress Anne Shelton. With such versatility, it’s no
wonder that this lady has forged an award-winning international career in theatre and cabaret.
Armed with trumpet, trombone, a jazzy suit and a wealth of wit, Pete Lindup has worked alongside many of the great names of the variety stage. He will recall the great comedians Max Miller and Robb Wilton amongst others, and is
an expert entertainer in true vaudeville style.
A variety show would be incomplete without a live band, so multi-talented musicians Martyn St James and Phil Jeffery will be on hand to add a musical flourish to the whole proceedings.
Andy Eastwood described the sentiments behind the creation of the show: “I produced the show last year at Coventry which as you probably know, was one of the worst-hit cities during the blitz. It’s my ambition to visit all the
badly blitzed cities with this show as a tribute to the way ordinary people got soldiered through those horrific times – not only our of respect to those who remember the war years, but as a reminder for those of us who don’t, just what that generation went through.
“It helps us to appreciate the value of peace. I’m thrilled that we can bring the show to Liverpool, a city whose people were so in the thick of it back in 1940 and 41. To be able to perform here on Remembrance Sunday makes
it doubly fitting, a perfect follow up to the services in the morning, we will raise the mood with light hearted music and laughter, recalling the way the city resolved to put on a brave face and “keep smiling through.”
A ticket only event, tickets cost just £15 and are available to buy in St George’s Hall Heritage Shop or you can call 0151 225 6903.
Sylvia Lewis, Trustee of St George’s Hall, said: “This event will hopefully help us maintain our heritage by providing much needed funds to help restore St George’s Hall. The monies raised will be going towards replacing the warn
out circles in the Main Hall. To date, we have managed to replace one, hopefully with the support from this event we can replace a second one.”