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27.03.04 2004 BLACKPOOL OPERA HOUSE SUMMER SEASON Joe will be performing at the Blackpool Opera House over a nine-week period from July 19th through to September 18th. Below is a news article from Blackpool Today. "Variety back to spice up the season" A TEAM of Fylde coast-based entertainers is behind the return of a traditional variety show to the main summer season weeks at Blackpool Opera House. Blackpool-born and based former Grumbleweeds member Tony Jo, in conjunction with resort-based entertainer Joe Longthorne, is to stage The Joe Longthorne Summer Spectacular at the Opera House. The show, taking place every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from July 19 to September 18, will also star comedian Johnnie Casson, violinist Gary Lovini, vocalist Keily Hampson, novelty act Billy Bedlam and a team of 12 dancers. "It's a full production show with the biggest dance group in the resort and a 10-piece orchestra," said Tony Jo. "We are putting the razzmatazz back into the summer season – a proper variety show for the number one venue in Europe." The idea came from Tony Jo, Joe Longthorne and Johnnie Casson's collaborations on the now annual All Hands On Deck charity show – which started on North Pier and expanded to the Opera House. "Opera House owner Leisure Parcs is right behind this and we hope that the people of Blackpool will be there with their support too," said Tony Jo. "We are keeping Blackpool in Blackpool with a topline show which underlines everyone's confidence in the resort both now and in the future. "Apart from anything else it means it is a locally-produced show with local performers rather than something brought in from elsewhere which sees all the revenue raised vanishing out of the resort again." While producer/director Tony Jo would not be in the show himself because of his commitments to Choice Hotels for the summer, he would be "on standby" to step in should his help be needed. "Obviously I still love performing but I see it as a natural progression for me to move into production," he said. "I sincerely care about this town and what sort of shows are staged in it. "We see this as the start of something big – particularly if the casinos get off the ground." |
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