A great year of events ahead at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, and Rhyl Pavilion

Jan 1 2009

THEATREGOERS across North Wales are set for a sensational season as Venue Cymru and Rhyl Pavilion promise a plethora of top entertainers for 2009.

Among the acts set to hit the region this year are Hot Chocolate legend Errol Brown, Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, child favourites the Chuckle Brothers and widely acclaimed new musical Flashdance.

Richard Jones, marketing manager at Venue Cymru, said: "We are really excited about the forthcoming season.

"It’s a rich variety of live performance featuring West End musicals, world-class opera and dance, top names in comedy and entertainment, along with the very best in live music which caters for practically every taste going."

Kicking off 2009 in style at Venue Cymru will be the return of Middle Ground Theatre’s longstanding classic The Holly and the Ivy, now in its 10th year of performance, an emotive drama set in 1940s Norfolk, showing from January 5.

It will be followed by appearances later in the year from musical maestros new and old, including the European Union Chamber Orchestra, multi-million-selling American act The Drifters and Route 66, a musical embracing the spirit of the Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Later in the year North Wales residents will be looking forward to a night of a laughter when stand-up favourite and 8 Out Of 10 Cats star Jimmy Carr comes to Llandudno.

Meanwhile, readers will be able to take their pick from a star-studded array of performers at Rhyl’s Pavilion Theatre, which boasts Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey, the Chinese State Circus and the finalists from hit ITV show The X Factor.

"Did you know that more young people vote for The X Factor than in General elections?" said theatre manager Gareth Owen. "We have last year’s winner, Leon Jackson, and the runner-up, Rhydian, together with Same Difference, Andy Abraham and Jonathan Ansell.

"We are excited about the spring season at the Pavilion. We’ve already had to put an extra date in for Rhydian, so there’s going to be a high demand for tickets for a very strong season."

Youngsters won’t need to feel left out either, with stars of science show Brainiac visiting the Pavilion for a night of explosive stunts and amazing demonstrations.

For more information about shows at Venue Cymru, call the box office on 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk. More information about shows at Rhyl Pavilion can be found by calling 01745 330000 or visiting www.rhylpavilion.co.uk