Payne brings That'll Be The Day to Venue Cymru

Apr 22 2010

TREVOR Payne loves dressing as Mick Jagger, singing some Stones songs and cracking jokes about differences between the 1960s and today – and his audience loves it to.

He wrote and created musical show That’ll Be The Day, and still directs, produces and stars in the production.

"I look forward to it every night," he enthuses. "I can feel the audience coming along with me, there’s a real empathy. It’s a fabulous feeling when 1,500 people are laughing at something you said."

The show, which lands at Llandudno on May 1, is about nostalgia, reflecting the music and tone of an era. Across the 25 years since it was created, it’s played almost 5,000 performances to a collective audience of four million, with 54 performers in total.

To celebrate, Trevor’s planning a celebration show at the London Palladium in the autumn – and he’s sure the tickets will sell quickly.

"We don’t have to advertise on TV or in papers, it’s word of mouth. People know the show’s format but they know it’s always being rewritten, so the show is fresh. Repeat business is very important. As soon as they’ve seen one show people will re-book, because they’ve enjoyed it so much."

This year’s revamped look includes new sets, lighting and costumes. The music styles are more diverse and the show features back-to-back classic hits from the 1950s to the 70s, mixed with fresh comedy sketches.

Trevor added: "With so many fans coming to see the show regularly, we wanted to give them something different this year, it feels like a completely different show."

Trevor began his musical career in the 60s with a band called The Profile, playing covers in clubs in Hamburg and the UK. Later, with group Medium Wave Band he won TV talent show New Faces. A successful career touring followed plus a surprise hit single called Maltese Calypso.

"People there still remember it, they come up to me to discuss it," he said.

He later formed trio Physical and supported 70s stalwarts Cannon and Ball, Max Boyce and Jim Davidson, and started to incorporate more comedy and sketches into the show.

"We first performed That’ll Be The Day in Butlin’s, Minehead. The audience went crazy and I realised I’d finally found a show we could stage in theatres."

A decade on legendary promoter Derek Block got involved and the shows have got bigger.

Trevor also appeared in Peter Kay’s Max and Paddy TV series, and in Peter Kay’s Comic Relief video for Tony Christie’s Road to Amarillo.

He’s involved with raising cash for charity– there’s a collection at the end of each performance. After raising £230,000 for ChildLine, they’re now collecting for Help for Heroes, with £25,000 collected during Christmas alone.

That’ll Be The Day, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, May 1. Tickets from £16.50, 01492 872000 or venuecymru.co.uk