A series of live shows have been announced at Europe’s largest open air theatre, here in Yorkshire. Scarborough Open Air Theatre has hosted many sell out shows over the last couple of years, including sets from the likes of Noel Gallagher, Simply Red, Bryan Adams and James Bay.
Now there are plans to up the number of shows per year from the current 10 to 18 which should see around 108,000 fans attend. Given that around 50% of tickets are sold outside the Town, this is a major tourism boost for the Yorkshire coastal resort.
The 2017 season starts with the legendary Beach Boys, with a hit packed career spanning more than 50 years they are rightly acclaimed as one of the influential bands of all time. With classic hits such as I Get Around, Sloop John B, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, God Only Knows and Good Vibrations amongst many more, the Beach Boys have multi-generational appeal and will bring their critically acclaimed show to Scarborough on May 29th
Recently announced for June 16 are The Charlatans, with 22 Top 40 singles and three number one albums, their back catalogue is a jukebox of indie rocks greatest hits including the unmistakable swagger of The Only One I know, North County Boy, How High, Weirdo and 2015s Come Home Baby.
Cliff Richard arrives on June 26 while just four days later on the 30th the resurgent UB40 (ft Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue) will stride into town with their Grandslam tour. With 17 top 10 singles including Red Red Wine, I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You, the trio are backed on stage by a fantastic eight piece reggae band, Ali Campbell promises to “pull out all the favourites (you) love the most”
The final show – currently – is Olly Murs, the chart topping star arriving for a balmy evening in the Scarborough sunshine. Possibly. 2016 has been an incredible year for Olly which has seen him celebrate his fourth number one album and become the most successful solo artist ever to come from the X Factor. To date he has sold more than 10 million records, this is sure to be a sell out.
More date and artist are to be confirmed, subscribe to this thread
Tickets for all shows are now on sale at
www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com
Additionally in person / over the phones from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre box office (0844 844 0444) or Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau (01723 383636
Gino D’Acampo the UK’s favourite Italian chef promises to add some sparkle to
the Leeds restaurant scene this Christmas with the opening of his new Restaurant
& Prosecco Bar
Gino D’Acampo; the UK’s favourite Italian chef, will open his restaurant, Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant, on Wednesday 7th December, just in time for Christmas. Located in the heart of the city on Park Row, right opposite Jamie’s Italian, and will open all day every day serving lunch until late.
Gino’s popularity continues to go from strength to strength with his rating busting primetime TV series, Gino’s Italian Escape now into its 4th series. Gino is also a firm fixture on day time television, regularly appearing on This Morning and other primetime shows including Celebrity Juice, alongside his close friend Leigh Francis better known to fans as Keith Lemon. He has just announced an 18-date national tour of Gino’s Italian Escape for 2017 in April and May )
The opening in Leeds follows the hugely successful launch of his restaurant brand Gino D’Acampo My restaurant in Manchester and London’s Euston station in 2016. Gino plans to open more pasta bars & restaurants in major cities and travel hubs, both in the UK and internationally. The 150-cover restaurant is over two floors and includes an open kitchen, deli bar overlooking Park Row and a cool basement Prosecco Bar.
The design has a true Italian feel, with the use of white marble, washed woods and Riva green leather reflecting Gino’s passion for his homeland of Naples in Southern Italy.
Gino promises to serve real Italian food as it should be. The day to evening menu is packed full of favourites from his books and TV programmes. No compromises are taken on any recipes and Gino insists on the use of well sourced, seasonal, artisan ingredients by utilising his vast range of contacts across the diverse regions of Italy.
It’s not just the food Gino is keen to make a statement with. His Prosecco Bar showcases an all Italian list of more than 40 Prosecco’s, sparkling wines and regional wines all available by the glass. The wine list is complemented by classic Italian cocktails including seasonal Bellini’s, artisan Italian Beers and last but not least great Neapolitan coffee.
Gino says “When I am back home in Italy I love visiting cool bars for Aperitivo….an Italian tradition for a pre-dinner drink with friends. I love it. At My Prosecco Bar its Aperitivo time 4pm while 6.30pm everyday where my guests can drink, relax and also enjoy some wonderful Cicchetti on me! Salute!”
He goes on to say. “After months of planning for the opening, I can’t wait to welcome guests to My Restaurant Leeds at this wonderful time of year”
We will be paying our first of several visits on 11th December, watch this space for our review!
Opening Times:
Restaurant: Monday – Saturday 12pm – 11pm. Sunday’s 12pm- 10.30pm.
The restaurant will be serving Neapolitan coffee from 10am.
Book a table:
Online: www.GinoDacampoRestaurants.com
Call: 0113 244 3220
Email: leeds@ginodacamporestaurants.com
Address: 11/12 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5HD
Be social:
Twitter: @ginorestleeds
Facebook: Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant Leeds
Instagram: @ginomyrestleeds
There is no doubt, that for any child of a certain age – and certain of their dads, a trip to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor Theme Park is several dreams come true. For my son Joe, at 2¾ and a Thomas fanatic, almost word perfect on the Theme tune and able to identify every engine at 100 yards. He was beyond excitement as we checked in to the Parks own Hotel the night before..
This though is where you were reminded – as if a glance out of the window didn’t already confirm – that you were in Britain where generally good customer service is the exception rather than the rule. Having used Theme Park hotels in the States, the clear intention there is for staff to maintain if not ramp up significantly the excitement levels, furnish you with every detail and every park map you need to ensure those levels remain.
The UK model exercised, amongst other by Drayton Manor is to knock all excitement out of you, leave you having to eek out every detail you might need, such as what time the park opens, what rides will be open, do any of the bars have Sky Sports (ok that was just me) whilst being as downbeat as possible. Even a simple request as to the location of the lifts (they are out of sight at check in) was met with little more than a grunt.
Our room was billed as a family room but was actually an executive room. In my experience an family room is light and airy, colourful perhaps and built for families. They are not executive rooms, dark wood, soul-less and just a little tired. Parts came off in your hand in the bath and shower, windows had a weird catch the like we had never seen before which took an age to close…. This room becomes a family room exclusively by virtue of the number of beds available. It is of course true that Thomas themed rooms are available, at a premium, sadly none were available at the time of booking.
Having had a hectic day already and then travelling down from Yorkshire, Joe was exhausted and by 7pm was in his bed, time for the grown-ups to order food and some drinks to the room, we should have known better, cold and tasteless. That’s the food.
So breakfast the next morning and we are all excited, trying to get Joe to eat, too giddy.. and then…darkness. Oh no Drayton Manor haven’t paid their ‘leccy bill. Actually it seems the whole area, including the Theme Park has suffer a power cut, so the already luke warm food was chilling nicely, no toasters, no juice machines… We retreated to the playground outside as several families had waiting on news.
THOMAS LAND IS OPEN! the cry goes up, power is restored. and like the first day of the Next sale, the families drop everything and dash towards the park…
For this Christmas season much of Drayton is closed but of key interest to the little Santa believers, Thomas land is a collection of Thomas the Tank engine themed rides almost all suitable for the younger end such as Joe. As we walked down, we came across The Fat Controller, himself walking to take up his duties. Joe was thrilled as he spoke to him, excited beyond belief. And then, there it is, first glimpse of Winston, the controllers car on his whistle stop tour ride and then there is Harold the Helicopter, Scruff, Captain, Flynn, the troublesome trucks, all of Joes favourites right there, going through their paces in preparation for opening.
And then spotted in the distance, chugging his way into Knapford station… its Thomas, with his Rudolph red nose, antlers and fairly lights, the smile on Joe’s face was priceless, the rides are now open..
Flynns Fire Rescue
This is a ride that suffers seasonally, in summer I imagine its great fun standing on the back of Flynn and squirting water at a ‘burning’ building as you go round. In winter its decided that it would be too cold for water and so it is a largely pointless exercise though thanks to our child’s imagination and ‘pretend’ hoses he enjoys it so much that both Mum and Dad get a turn on the ride.
Jeremy Jets Flying Academy
A great ride for the little ones, taking controls of a plane – well you can send it up or down – Joe tells me we are flying to the sunshine and swimming pools. We must be horrendously delayed as we never got there.
Captains Sea Adventure
Sit in Captain and beam the spotlights into the water (see, its search and rescue) whilst spinning around – a little faster than we anticipated but Joe is unfazed and this was a contender for a second ride
Blue Mountain Engines
A simple ride based on the smaller trains like Skarloey etc.. a basic sit and go round but again because of the characters its great fun for the little ones.
Winston’s Whistle-stop Tour.
An aerial car ride, giving your little on the chance to drive Winston on an inspection of Sodor, there is an amusing in car commentary which adds to the fun and the tour offers great views across the park
Sodor Classic Cars
Directly underneath Winston and a tenuous link as how many times do you see cars on Sodor, especially of this vintage. Again the little ones get to drive along this guided track through the farm land. Again one that Joe wanted to do twice..
Harold’s Helicopter Tours
Again an aerial roundabout type ride but again one that thills as they fly Harold while Mum and Dad relax in the back
Ladys Carousel
One of the most sedate rides suitable for even the very youngest.. Daisy and her carriages on a small roundabout
Diesels Locomotive Mayhem
One of the rides that Joe had most fun on, especially as he got to go on xx. Travelling around in a figure of eight, so many near crashes and close misses.
Carousel
Joe has always loved these big old fashioned carousels and again this was one he did twice
Finally we visited the Castle for (another) meeting with Santa, our appointment was 2pm but we were accommodated early, that said that is and nearly always is apparently a 15minute wait. There is nothing to see or do during this wait which is a missed opportunity. Finally you are split into two queues behind closed doors and alternately families are led through into a corridor with several doors, green and red lights above them. Now the adult cynic might say there were , shock several Santa’s at play here, controlling safe entry via a red and green entry system. That said, our particular Santa, though not as old as I would have expected by now, was highly personable, very friendly and coaxed all the relevant info out of Joe.
The present were a bit of a let-down, a corporate Elf cuddly toy, the slide in the pound against the euro and dollar seems to have hit Santa too this year.
There were other things we just didn’t have the time or inclination to do, we didn’t actually take the very short train ride up to the zoo etc.. seemed like too much time was wasted queuing Nor did we visit the Zoo, there aren’t a great many animals and the key Christmas attractions are the Reindeers which can be seen as you exit the Castle. The Troublesome Trucks ride is a small scale roller coaster and not suitable for small children, I quite fancied it but this was a special day for our Son, a treat before he stops being an only child! Tobys Tram Experience, Cranky Crane, Bertie Bus are all more vigorous rides and not suitable for our little one but look good fun for those a little older.
As we climbed into our car for the journey back up North, Joe couldn’t stop chattering about his favourite rides and wanting to tell Nana all about it. Ten minutes later he was fast asleep. Joe will take some lovely memories away from this, it really is perfect, as Parent we too took immense joy in seeing his enjoyment but the visit was tainted by the poor service and accommodation at the Hotel which had massively increased the cost of our visit.
The winter season continues and we thoroughly recommend you visit if you are so inclined but select from a range of offsite accommodation unless you can get a themed rood. We only wish we had..
Lotherton Halls Christmas Event adverts and its 12 days of Christmas walk immediately draws comparisons with Stockeld parks long established walk.
There the comparisons end though as what LCC have put together for the 12 installations are generally poor and lacking in imagination, sound or light. The woods around the Hall don’t have the same intensity or darkness either of Stockeld, it just doesn’t work here. For example the Lords-a-leaping are represented by static figures that neither move nor light up, Neither do they pipe. Each of the 4 calling birds down to the Partridge in a pear tree can be easily missed up in trees with no colour light or sound to attract.
There are some “Have-a-go” type stalls to represent certain days but there are set for older children than ours and were crowded with adults anyway as we approached.
Earlier we had visited the Elfs workshop and that was a good session where the children, with help could make a little reindeer feed to leave out on that most important night. It’s a fun little hands on experience and is the precursor to visiting Santa. There is a little diversion in the form of sing along Christmas songs and letters to Santa and then it’s in to see the big man. Authentic? well he looked the part, age, whiskers, coat. He engaged well enough with our little one. As seems to be trend this year, presents seem a bit generic and poor. Thin books or teddy bears, Joe got the bear and to be honest he likes it as it was given to him by Santa.
Overall, was it worth it? Well to get into the grounds, Adults must purchase an estate entry at £5.50, children under 4 are free. Then for the Elf workshop and Santa it’s another £9.95 for the child only so just over £20. Personally I would rather have paid the tenner and let Joe do the Elf Village and Santa, it would have been better value.
This is Lothertons first Christmas event and in my opinion needs a rethink should it choose to go again in 2017.
Pontefract Races today confirmed what we leaked briefly last week that Bananarama will be playing their 80s night after racing next May, 26th 2017
This year’s night was headlined by Bucks Fizz and was a resounding success with the majority of racegoers packing into the parade ring for a hugely entertaining set of Fizz classics and medleys of some of the decades most memorable songs by other artists.
Bananarama have carved out a niche as purveyors of top 80s pop, a huge back catalogue of hits to pick from, Venus, Cruel Summer, Love in The First Degree, I Heard A Rumour, I want You Back and many many more.
We have seen the Nana’s at many Rewind type festivals and they are always one of if not the highlight, always a professional but fun set and one not to miss
The band will perform on the raised grass area next to the Parade Ring and will be on stage as soon as the horses have left the area after the running of the last race – between 9.20pm and 9.30pm.
Racegoers from all enclosures will be able to move to the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure to watch the performance.
The audience is encouraged to go IN TO THE PARADE RING to watch the concert.
For safety reasons, after the last race, there will be NO ACCESS to the stepped area in between the raised grassed area and the Parade Ring.
A disabled viewing area is available in front of the saddling boxes. Should you need assistance, please ask one of the designated helpers in the hi-vis tabards.
Bars around the Parade Ring will stay open after the last race during the concert.
Last orders will be at 10.30pm.
Get your tickets before they sell out - book here
David Walliams new sketch show, Walliams and Friend to BBC one this month. The ‘Friend’ will be different every week and among them are Harry Enfield, Jack Whitehall, Miranda Richardson and Sheridan Smith. A Christmas special with Hugh Bonneville is also in the can.
Thanks to our friends at the Beeb, we had a brief catch up with David earlier this week..
Were you eager to return to sketch comedy with Walliams & Friend?
I wanted to reconnect with something purely comic. This show has no agenda - it’s just there to make you laugh. It’s rather old-fashioned in that way, like The Two Ronnies.
Why do you think sketch shows remain popular?
A sketch show is a great way of doing comedy, because it is constantly reinventing itself. If you don’t like one sketch, another one will be along in a minute. People often try to write off sketch shows and say that they’re finished, but they are a perfectly valid way of doing comedy. You can also cover a lot of ground doing sketches. You can do everything from spoofs to relationship comedy.
Were you anxious to make a show that does not replicate your huge sketch show hit, Little Britain?
Yes. The big thing for me was to be different from Little Britain. On that show, we didn’t do historical sketches or spoofs. Little Britain had a very strong idea of its own identity. I didn’t want Walliams & Friend to be like a spin-off of that. I wanted it to be very much its own thing.
Is there an advantage of having a different guest star every week?
Yes, It means the show can reinvent itself week to week. It feels very fresh and never gets boring. In other sketch shows, there are a lot of reasons why you end up doing the same characters every week. You need at least a hundred sketches for a series, and that’s very hard. But if you’re writing for specific people, you can constantly reinvent the show.
In addition to your guest stars, you are featuring some old-school celebrities such as Bob Carolgees and Spit The Dog in the sketches, aren’t you?
Yes. I loved working with them all. For instance, it was great filming with the Chuckle Brothers. They’re so talented. They’re natural clowns. They’re very hard workers, too. They come prepared with lots of ideas and really deliver. I’d love to work with them more. It would be great to have them on set every day because they’re such fun!
So tell us why you chose your six guest stars in this series? Firstly Jack Whitehall
He’s so, so funny. In fact, he is too funny. He needs to be stopped! He made me feel really old when he told me, “I used to love watching Little Britain when I was at school”.
“I’m sorry, how old are you?” He’s still in his 20s. It’s absurd!
What about Meera Syal?
She is fantastic. She is very nice, very intelligent and brilliantly funny. Having been in Goodness Gracious Me she’s a wonderful sketch performer. But she’s also a really good serious actor - she’s been in dramas such as Broadchurch before. So she’s got a lot of gravitas - unlike me! She is excellent with scripts, and very committed to everything. Meera and I also had the delight of doing a sketch with Jeanette Krankie!
And Sheridan Smith?
She’s a consummate actress. She’s proven herself on stage and she’s a huge star in musicals. She has that vulnerability and likeability that you can really play on. She’s like Julie Walters - there is nothing she can’t do. Although she is known for comedy, you could give Sheridan any dramatic role and she would excel in it. Not many people have that talent.
One of our favourite actresses, Miranda Richardson?
She is an incredibly classy actress. She is iconic to the nation because of Blackadder Two. Although it is now 30 years ago, her performance as Queenie is still emblazoned on our imagination. She has done comedy before, with French and Saunders. She is a brilliant and incredibly committed performer. Because she’s such a great actress, everything she does is believable.
And comedy legend Harry Enfield?
I’ve always been in awe of him. He is one of my absolute favourite comedians. I loved him when I was growing up. When he did Stavros and Loadsamoney on Saturday Live it was so fresh. It’s an incredible thing when someone who is your comedy hero treats you as an equal. I never lose that sense of wonder when I meet my comedy heroes.
What about Hugh Bonneville, your guest in the Christmas special?
I worked with him on Mr Stink, and I knew that he was a fantastic comic actor. He throws himself into everything. It’s great to see him in a way that we haven’t seen him before.
Do you see yourself making more series of Walliams & Friend?
I’m very old now! But I’d love to do more. Hopefully it’ll stand out because there are so few sketch shows these days. We’re trying to be funny in a very uncomplicated way. You don’t have to think too much - it’s just meant to be a fun watch. The moving moments in The Office are magic. But comedy is valid in all its different forms.
Can the restaurant scene in Leeds get any better?
The simple answer to that is yes with the news that Gino D’Acampo is bringing his “My restaurant” brand not to that South Yorkshire city that now allegedly forms his middle name but to Leeds and with a pre-xmas opening hoped for, its sure to be the go-to venue this year.
Those familiar with Leeds city centre will know the site until recently occupied by PIccolinos on Park Row. This is where the 150 seat My Restaurant will open, it is opposite and across from Jamie’s Italian and a prime location. Piccolinos themselves are relocating within the city, more news on that soon…
Those subscribers not familiar with Leeds might want to take advantage of a quick unbeatable rail and hotel offer landing in your inboxes. Whilst we can’t guarantee that Gino’s restaurant will be open for your visit, as you will have seen last issue there are many other reasons to visit this wonderful city and perhaps plan your New Year visit for a great experience at his new Leeds offering.
The opening follows the hugely successful launch of his restaurant brand Gino D’Acampo - My Restaurant in Manchester’s Corn Exchange and London’s Euston station. Mrs JM and I are regular visitors over the hills to the Manchester restaurant and as reported earlier this year have had nothing but wonderful food and service, frankly we cannot wait for the Leeds restaurant to open, anything Manchester can do….
The two-storey restaurant will boast an open kitchen, lower ground cocktail & wine bar and an eat-at deli bar, great for those of us who work or play in central Leeds.. The design has a true Mediterranean feel, with the use of white marble, washed woods and trademark green leather reflecting Gino’s passion for his homeland of Southern Italy. The menus are packed with favourites from his books and TV shows, offering good value, family friendly kids options that our increasingly fussy offspring love but at the same suitable also for serious evening dining. – as Mrs JM will testify.
Gino told us: “After months of planning for the opening, I can’t wait to welcome guests to My Restaurant, Leeds. Every effort has been made to make sure our guests have a true Italian experience – we’ve got some great dishes for you to try. I’m looking forward to treating Yorkshire to a real taste of Italy.”
Gino’s popularity grows from strength to strength and his primetime TV series, Gino’s Italian Escape, returned this month. The series is accompanied by a new book, Gino’s Hidden Italy, a cracking book which we got signed during his visit to Leeds last week , and the restaurant will feature many of its delicious dishes on their seasonal menu.
More news to follow including confirmed opening dates and booking details, keep an eye on http://ginodacamporestaurants.com/myrestaurant/
Recently announced for June 16 are The Charlatans, with 22 Top 40 singles and three number one albums, their back catalogue is a jukebox of indie rocks greatest hits including the unmistakable swagger of The Only One I know, North County Boy, How High, Weirdo and 2015s Come Home Baby. 
