Talented local girl has released debut single and 2 other releases gaining international acclaim

THE stunning and highly talented 22 year old Mezzo Soprano, Actor and Dancer, from Liverpool, Sophie Clarke has just released her anticipated debut album along with 2 others!

Sophie's debut album:- "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes," is from Disney's 1950 Classic, Cinderella, featuring orchestrations by Matteo Ressa. It can be stream or download from:- DistroKid.Com.

Her other release is:- "Born Free," from the 1966 movie of the same title. It can also be stream or download from:- DistroKid.Com.

The release of:- "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" and "Born Free" follows Sophie's debut single:- "The Rose" which has just been published onto its 1st playlist by Crossover Records and has already been aired on various radio stations including on BBC Radio Merseyside. Not only that, her single has now been getting some international acclaim as well, on stations like iHeartRadio, in the USA! It is worth adding that the original by Bette Midler featured in the 1979 film of the same title, and is 1 of her favourite of all time.

In addition Sophie continues to perform in various venues around the UK and on the 24 June 2021 she will be the Guest Soloist for the 2021 Miss England Final, at the Heart of England Centre, Coventry. Since the age of 9 Sophie has performed in numerous charity concerts and events every year, most prominently for The British Heart Foundation, and she is looking forward to performing in various concerts for different charitable organisations over the coming months. She is also currently working on original material with Liverpool Composer Hannah Keeley which will be released later this year.

Since the age of 15, Sophie has been a regular busker in her hometown of Liverpool and London to help raise funds firstly for her performing arts training and then for her Masters Degree. Sophie is now delighted to have been offered a scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music for a Masters of Music in Classical Singing and Opera. The Liverpool born Mezzo-Soprano decided to record:- "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" to mark this achievement as she aims to encourage and inspire other people to be proactive in pursuing their dreams. The piece was written by Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston and it featured in the 1950 Disney film Cinderella, which was voiced by Ilene Woods. Sophie's recording of this beautiful ballad, with orchestrations by Matteo Ressa, highlights the young singers' captivatingly classic voice and allows the listener to feel as though they are stepping back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood.

"Born Free," which was the title song for the 1966 movie about Elsa the Lioness, is the 2nd of the 2 new singles released by Sophie in May 2021. She initially recorded the Matt Monroe number as a surprise for Mothers' Day and has now released this single dedicated to her wonderful mum, Angela. The song is composed by John Barry with lyrics by Don Black.

Keep up to date with latest performance dates and news on Sophie's website or follow her on social media for more music and videos please visit:- SophieClarkeSinger.Co.UK. Please do support this amazing singer...

Exclusive interview with Jeff Wayne about his Musical Version of 'The War of The Worlds'

1 of the most trailblazing arena tours of all time, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of:- 'The War of The Worlds Alive on Stage!' returns to arenas throughout the UK in 2022. If you have not already seen it, well this is a must see for all ages! If you have, you will want to see this latest version when it comes to Liverpool... Trust us... You must not miss it!

This video interview is with our Editor Patrick Trollope, Simon Peter, and the amazing Jeff Wayne.  This very open, relaxed and unusual interview also gives an insight into the man behind the music...

Play the Interview - Audio Only Copy
 

If you do not know the story, Jeff Wayne's double album was originally released by CBS Records, back in 1978, featuring:- Richard Burton, the Moody Blues Justin Hayward, David Essex, Julie Covington, the It has enjoyed huge success and critical acclaim across the globe with over 16 million records sold and spending over 330 weeks in the UK Album Charts (to date) plus achieving 2 International hit singles:- 'Forever Autumn' and 'The Eve of The War.' It has been Top 10 in 22 countries and Number 1, in 11 of them! In 2012 the New Generation double album was released and featured an expanded story line with a new cast including:- Liam Neeson, Take That's Gary Barlow, Joss Stone and Kaiser Chief's Ricky Wilson..

Jeff's Musical Version has also won 2 prestigious UK Ivor Novello Awards, the:- 'US Best Recording in Science Fiction and Fantasy...' the judges included:- Alfred Hitchcock, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, as well as winning for Jeff, Classic Rock's:- 'Showman of The Year' Award following the debut arena tour in 2006.

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of:- 'The War of The Worlds' has grown into a true classic, acquiring new generations of devoted followers since its original release. It has now been seen in London's West End, a chart topping 5 hour Audible Audiobook featuring Michael Sheen, Taron Edgeton and Theo James, and in 2019 opened at London's Old Metal Exchange Jeff Wayne's:- 'The War of The Worlds - The Immersive Experience' and winning the THEA Award, the 'Oscar' of the interactive world. Now Covid compliant, it is re-opening again from May 2022.

The 2006 DVD topped the UK Music DVD Charts for 7 consecutive weeks and was seen for a year on Sky Arts TV, and the 2012 DVD also enjoyed great success.

If that has not got your interest or our video interview withy the man himself, well this might just get your attention...

The next run, in 2022, will see Steps' and stage star Claire Richards makes her debut as:- 'Beth, The Parson's Wife.' With Steps, Claire has amassed fourteen Top 5 singles, including 3 Number 1's, and 3 multi Platinum albums, not forgetting:- 20 million in record sales and seven sold out arena tours. Claire is often our TV screens, including The One Show, Loose Women, Celebrity Big Brother and Popstar to Operastar, and her 2019 solo album, My Wildest Dreams, hit the UK Top 10.

Claire said:- "I am so thrilled to be joining the cast of Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds for their 2022 Arena tour. To be a part of such an iconic production is so exciting, and I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the road next year."

Strictly and West End star Star Kevin Clifton will debut as:- 'The Artilleryman.' Kevin has thrilled audiences in the West End and across the UK, starring in:- 'Rock of Ages', 'Dirty Dancing the Musical' and 'The Wedding Singer.'

Now, he'll be returning to the stage in 2022 for this exciting role. Kevin is best known as a Pro Dancer on BBC One's:- 'Strictly Come Dancing' being the only pro dancer to ever dance in four consecutive finals.

Kevin said:- "I am unbelievably excited to be joining the cast of Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds. In 2022 this particular story could not be more relevant. After so long without live performance, what better experience could there be than this spectacular arena production complete with a full live onstage orchestra and special effects. 'Life Begins Again!'"

Based on HG Wells' dark Victorian tale, it remains a firm favourite to millions around the world.

In 2006 TWOTW was considered a cutting edge production with 6 trucks filled to the brim. In 2022, marking a momentous 16 years of touring, the production will be up to 12, and with it, a host of ingredients and special effects that will challenge and excite the senses for audiences of all ages, all set to Jeff's iconic score.

Featuring:-

► The iconic 3 tonne, 30 foot tall Martian Fighting Machine firing real flame Heat Rays at the audience.

► The 8 piece Black Smoke Band and symphonic ULLAdubULLA strings.

► Leaf drops over the audience.

► Mixed live in Surround Sound.

► Giant bridge from the lip of the stage out over the audience.

► 3 Panoramic screens featuring 2 hours of cutting edge CGI and Video content.

► The incineration of a Cast member in full view of the audience.

New for 2022:-

► The Flaming Man.

► Callum O'Neil as:- 'The War of The Worlds' author, HG Wells - in Sight and Sound.

► Otherworldly special effects!

Jeff said:- "Why are we calling this:- 'The Life Begins Again Tour?' It's certainly a name appropriate for the times we have been living through since the first lockdown in 2020, caused by the Pandemic. But ironically, the title comes from a musical phrase in my original 1978 double album just as Humanity learns that the Martians, with all their superior intelligence, incredible machines and weaponry, hadn't foreseen one particular thing; the common cold, and the bacteria that caused it. And in a sneeze, they were gone! Now from all over Britain, mankind began returning to their homes. Life was beginning again. By 2014 I decided that original musical phrase should be expanded into a full song, performed by all the characters we have met along the way, and it has appeared in every tour and production since. HG Wells conceived his story's ending with Human bacteria defeating the invading alien force. But how could he have possibly known, that over 120 years later, a virus born on Earth, would appear and reap havoc on innocent people of all ages, colour and ethnicities, worldwide. Let us hope, that like HG's Martians, this horrible disease is being truly defeated, as life will begin again."

Tour Dates and locations:-

MARCH 2022...

► 23 March 2022 - NOTTINGHAM MOTORPOINT ARENA

► 24 March 2022 - BIRMINGHAM RESORTS WORLD ARENA

► 26 March 2022 - CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA*

► 27 March 2022 - BRIGHTON CENTRE

► 28 March 2022 - BRIGHTON CENTRE

► 29 March 2022 - BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

► 30 March 2022 - BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

APRIL 2022...

► 01 April 2022 - MANCHESTER AO ARENA

► 02 April 2022 - GLASGOW THE SSE HYDRO

► 03 April 2022 - LEEDS FIRST DIRECT ARENA

► 05 April 2022 - HULL BONUS ARENA

► 06 April 2022 - LIVERPOOL M&S ARENA

► 07 April 2022 - NEWCASTLE UTILITA ARENA

► 09 April 2022 - LONDON THE O2*

Dates with * have both MATINEE and EVENING shows!

Tickets on general sale now via:- LiveNation.Co.UK.

As an added note... Did you know Jeff Wayne was born on 1 July 1943 in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, United States?  Jeff Wayne likes Tennis and has also represented Great Britain in the sport?  Also, as you can here in this interview, Jeff Wayne's son is a DJ and Producer and you can hear a track called:- 'Wulfman' from the album Jeff talks about, on:- YouTube. It has also been released on the Rekids Ltd label. More to follow... Plus his other son of the of composer, also talked about in this very open interview is, Joab Wayne, who is a junior tennis player.