Theatre – Chesney?S All Smiles

By Viv Hardwick

Income Chesney Hawkes and Peter Amory and out go James Gaddas and Linda Nolan

A STRONG autumn season programme at Darlington Civic Theatre has survived a ?two steps forward, one steps back? period as one major show named its star, one headliner had to be replaced and another musical lost its star.

Theatre impresario Bill Kenwright?s new musical love story Can?t Smile Without You, running November 24-29, has opted for singer/ songwriter Chesney Hawkes in the lead role of Tony.

With book by Tim Prager, the production is based on an original idea by Kenwright, and features hits from Barry Manilow. The story centres on a band visiting New York who hear of a reality TV show, but only the lead singer Tony is offered a chance to appear, which leads to tragedy.

Could It Be Magic, It?s A Miracle, I Write The Songs, Mandy, I Made It Through The Rain, Trying To Get The Feeling and the title track are among 30 Manilow songs included in the show. Hawkes is best known for his hit single, The One and Only, which spent five weeks at the top of the UK Chart. The track featured on the soundtrack of the film Buddy?s Song, which starred Hawkes and Roger Daltrey.

Joining Hawkes as his love interest, Mandy, is 23-year-old Siobhan Dillon, who was runnerup in BBC1?s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? The show is aiming for a West End run.

Ian Dickens Productions bold decision to turn Don?t Look Now ? Daphne Du Maurier?s book made famous by the 1973 film starring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland ? has seen Stocktonborn actor James Gaddas replaced by former Emmerdale favourite Peter Amory. The production has already had to delay its Venicestyled opening at Eastbourne in August due to what was explained as ?problems with the set?. The tour launch was then put back until last week.

Sadly, Bill Kenwright has been unable so far to announced a replacement for Linda Nolan, who has been taken ill just before touring Blood Brothers. The massively popular show is due to play Darlington on September 29October 4 followed by York?s Grand Opera House, December 16, and Newcastle?s Theatre Royal, January 19-31.

Sisters Linda, Bernie, Denise and Maureen Nolan have all played the role of Mrs Johnstone in the past. Understudy Vivienne Carlyle is opening the tour but a spokeswoman for Kenwright has said that a replacement for Linda Nolan, who has been battling breast cancer, will be announced soon.

Rehearsals have just started for David Essex?s new musical All The Fun Of The Fair which will feature many of his hits like Winter?s Tale, Hold Me Close, Silver Dream Machine and Rock On. The show will play Darlington on September 22-27.

Darlington?s own Pop Idol Zoe Birkett has been offered a year?s contract in a new West End musical based on the movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Adapted from the 1994 film, the Australian-set show has been playing in Melbourne?s Regent Theatre, after premiering last year in Sydney.

The news comes after Birkett agreed to appear in touring show West End Rocks, which will play Darlington on October 11.

Civic Theatre Box Office:

01325-486555

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