Galloway's launches its annual Morecambe Bay Walk

SIGHT loss charity Galloway's is ready to make up for lost time by launching its famous Morecambe Bay Walk, spreading over 2 days this summer. The charity will devote a weekend to the iconic fundraiser, which will take place over:- Saturday. 31 July and Sunday, 1 August 2021. The 8 mile walks will be led by the Guide to the Sands, Michael Wilson, starting at 10.45am on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday. Both start in Arnside and end in Kents Bank. Galloway's can take 800 walkers across the weekend and over the years, the event has raised thousands of pounds.

Charlotte Carnell, events fundraiser at Galloway's, said:- "This year, we know there is a real buzz about communities getting together after events like this were postponed last year. So we are very excited to be able to get this walk up and running again, as we know that many people are keen to join us. We have had so much support over the years for this walk and we can't wait to welcome everyone back. We also wish to thank our sponsor Frank Whittle Partnership Ltd, who has supported this event for seven years. We are working hard to ensure that the walk can take place safely and complies with any Government guidelines in place at the time. The walk in 2019 raised more than ₤16,000, which helped us to continue to support local blind and partially sight people in Lancashire and Sefton and so we can't wait to raise more money this year."

The Queen's Guide to the Sands, Michael Wilson, said:- "The walk this year will be even more momentous as we know it means so much to everyone. Galloway's does amazing work in supporting people with sight loss and I can't wait to meet the army of fundraisers once again as they take on this annual walk. With two dates to choose from, there are plenty of spaces, so why not sign up today?"

A spokesman from Frank Whittle Partnership Ltd said:- "Galloway's is an incredible charity and we are more than happy to continue supporting its Morecambe Bay Walk. It is such a fantastic event and we would encourage people to sign up."

To register, visit:- Galloways.Org.UK/Events or call Charlotte on:- 01772744148. If anyone requires any more information, they can email:- Events@Galloways.Org.UK.

Judy and Liza Musical To Be 1 Of The 1st UK Tours Staged Out Of Lockdown
Photo by Andrew AB...

A dazzling and heart warming stage show charting the careers and relationship between Hollywood Mother and Daughter Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli is going on a UK tour which will open many theatres out of lockdown. Captivating audiences for a decade, Judy and Liza will embark on a national tour throughout May and June 2021 to mark the show's landmark 10th Anniversary, visiting:- Worcester, Leeds, Chesterfield, Lytham St Annes, New Brighton, Coventry, Clwyd, and Lichfield. A London date will also be announced soon.

The show is thought to be 1 of the 1st shows to tour the UK post lockdown, coinciding with the Government's roadmap for the easing of lockdown restrictions. Social distancing and any further required measures will be in place to ensure Covid secure environments for audience safety.

The Judy and Liza UK Tour is Wednesday, 19 May 2021, at the Swan Theatre in Worcester, Thursday, 20 May 2021, at the City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds; Saturday, 22 May 2021, at Chesterfield's Pomegranate Theatre; Saturday, 29 May 2021, at the Lowther Pavilion in Lytham Saint Annes; Friday, 4 June 2021, at New Brighton's Floral Pavilion; Saturday, 12 June 2021, at Coventry; Sunday 13 June 2021 at Clwyd; and Saturday, 26 June 2021, at Lichfield. The show will also tour in October 2021, with dates to be announced soon.

Judy and Liza is produced by Bill Elms Productions and On Song Productions, created and written by West End performer Emma Dears, who appears as Liza Minnelli; with Francis Goodhand, as Musical Director. Emma performs alongside Helen Sheals, who plays Judy Garland. Together they belt out timeless classics with uncanny resemblance of Judy and Liza, bursting with their unrivalled and elusive star quality.

The incredible talents of 2 of the biggest names in Hollywood show business, Mother and Daughter, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, are reunited thanks to this sensational musical experience. This dazzling production tells the turbulent tale of the stars against the backdrop of their infamous 1964 London Palladium concert. Audiences are taken on an emotional rollercoaster journey as they discover the uncanny parallels between some of Judy and Liza's most iconic songs and their own personal lives. The show features performances of iconic songs including:- Cabaret, Maybe This Time, Over The Rainbow, The Man That Got Away, The Trolley Song, and Together Wherever We Go.

Liverpool born actress Emma Dears self-penned the musical biopic to critical acclaim. Emma's acting career began at the age of 9 when she toured the UK in the title role of Annie. She later headed to London to join the Italia Conti Academy for Performing Arts, however she left before completing the course as she was offered a part in the tour of Les Miserables performing in Dublin and Edinburgh. Emma's West End roles have included:- Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and Oliver. Television roles include:- Emmerdale, Nice Guy Eddie, Shameless, Hollyoaks, Brookside, and Second Coming.

Helen is widely known for her roles in Coronation Street and Downton Abbey. However, Helen is no stranger to portraying Judy Garland having previously played the title role in the West End musical Judy! at The Arts Theatre in London. Her extensive theatre roles have included:- Mistress Quickly in Merry Wives and Goneril in King Lear for Northern Broadsides, Directed by Sir Jonathan Miller; Mari Hoff in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Hull Truck and UK Tour); and Shirley Valentine. Helen's TV credits include Brookside, Meterosexuality, Family Affairs, Last Tango in Halifax, Silent Witness, Holby City, Casualty, Doctors, Dalziel and Pascoe, and Mrs Wigan in three seasons of Downton Abbey.

Producer Bill Elms commented:- "We are thrilled to finally announce the 10th Anniversary UK tour of Judy and Liza, it's a production very close to my heart as I worked on the very 1st show. It is going to be a very special tour, as for many of the theatres, this will be their 1st show of the year, as we come out of lockdown. We can promise audiences a safe and very memorable experience as they rediscover the joy of live entertainment through this captivating show."

Writer and actress Emma Dears added:- "It is with pure excitement that we can take Judy and Liza's emotional and iconic story on the road. As performers, we crave being in front of a live audience; seeing, hearing and feeling their reactions, it gets no better than that. Whether you're a fan of Judy or Liza, or both, their story is unique. The show is full of love, heartache, and passion, and Helen and I have worked tirelessly to make sure we get every tiny detail just right. Join us for an evening with the mother and daughter who really did put the:- 'show' into showbiz."

The nearest performance will take place on Friday, 4 June 2021, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, at the Floral Pavilion, on the Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral. To find out more visit:- JudyAndLiza.Co.UK.