Hot off the press from Horsecross, the new season's brochure for Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre announces a series of scorching acts and events to entertain folk from the Fair City and beyond all summer long.
Highlights from the all singing, all dancing and all round entertaining programme include top traditional acts from home and abroad, Southern Fried Perth's very own festival of American Roots Music, a series of summer workshops just for kids, performances by legendary comedians and musicians, glamorous stage shows and celebrated theatre productions.
Kicking off with comedy, Jimmy Carr's show at Perth Concert Hall is already a sell out. Local favourite, Bruce Fummey brings his acclaimed 2008 Edinburgh Fringe show About Robert the Bruce to Perth Theatre. Award-winning Polish trio Ani Mru Mru celebrate their 10th anniversary with an exclusive UK show at Perth Concert Hall. They will be joined by Smile and slapstick prop masters Dno & Lowcy. B, for this ‘mega gig', one of the concluding events in the three month long Scottish Tides | Polish Spring Festival. And Horsecross can now confirm that uberminstrel Tim Minchin will bring his Ready for This? show to Perth Concert Hall in October hot on the heels of his massive Australian tour and a series of sell out gigs in the UK last autumn.
Blazin' Fiddles' characteristically high octane performance will provide a fiery musical finale to Scottish Tides | Polish Spring in Perth Concert Hall in May. Celebrated traditional musicians and raconteurs Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham bring their terrific talent and quick-witted story telling to Perth Concert Hall in August. The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust has gathered together a line-up of the best traditional musicians for A National Treasure III, the third annual celebration of the life and influence of the much missed piper - The Treacherous Orchestra and Karen Matheson feature. Fast forward to Hogmanay, and The Treacherous Orchestra has also been confirmed as one of the main attractions at Perth's popular New Year's party. Dàimh and Genticorum combine to showcase the best of Scottish, Cape-Breton, Irish-American and Québecois musical culture in a Home and Away concert at Perth Theatre. And there is a rare opportunity to see Scottish-Indian fusion band India Alba, featuring Perth piping maestro Ross Ainslie, in the intimate environment of Perth Theatre Redrooms.
Southern Fried makes a welcome return to the Horsecross 2009 summer programme. Perth's very own festival of American Roots Music is headlined this year by three times Grammy winner, TIME magazine's ‘America's Best Songwriter' Lucinda Williams, and welcomes a host of other acts including Hayseed Dixie, Southpaw, Jason Ringenberg and the Stanton Moore Trio. More attractions to be announced.
The packed classical season features an exclusive Scottish recital by exceptional pianist Mitsuko Uchida who makes a rare appearance outside of London to perform three of Beethoven's most challenging Piano Sonatas. Tasmin Little joins the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in May to perform Mieczyslaw Karlowicz's warmly passionate violin concerto as the classical conclusion of Scottish Tides | Polish Spring.
2007 X Factor winner Leon Jackson is joined by bubbly brother and sister pop act Same Difference at Perth Concert Hall in May. Legendary easy listening entertainer Daniel O'Donnell's June date in Perth Concert Hall is already sold out.
There is no excuse for kids to be bored this summer as Horsecross is planning a Summer Shorts series of fun workshops in July as well as performances by Sticky Kids and The Singing Kettle. And, Perth Youth Theatre hits the spotlight with its own festival featuring a range of productions, penned, directed and performed by members of the thriving youth drama group.
The stage production of much-loved TV comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo takes to the Perth Theatre stage in May. And, all the way from Thailand, The Lady Boys of Bangkok will bring their exotic combination of Bangkok spice and Las Vegas glamour to Perth Concert Hall as part of their Mile High Tour.
And that's not all. Other attractions include more exclusive commissions for the Horsecross contemporary art programme, performances by local musicians and dancers, tribute acts, wrestling, star psychic; Sally Morgan and much, much more. Not forgetting, of course, the Perth Festival of the Arts from 21 to 31 May.
The new season's brochure is available from Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre. Full listings information is also available from the Horsecross website. For tickets, call Horsecross Box Office on 01738 621 031 or visit www.horsecross.co.uk