JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT HEADING TO THE LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

WHEN producer/director Bill Kenwright brings his renowned production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT to theatres across the UK, audiences will undoubtedly recognize the young man in the leading role… This amazing show hits the stage at the Liverpool Empire over 29 March 2011 to 3 April 2011.

KEITH JACK was one of the most popular finalists in the hit BBC series Any Dream Will Do. Watched by millions every Saturday night, the show was produced to find a leading man for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new West End production, and Keith, chosen from tens of thousands of wannabees, charmed audiences week after week with his vocal talents, finally coming in a close second.
He went on to play the Narrator in the UK tour of Joseph and returned in 2010 to tour in the lead role which he continues through 2011

Keith has appeared as Aladdin in Aladdin at the King's Theatre Glasgow, the title role in Peter Pan at His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen. Keith created the lead role of Charlie in the new musical Only the Brave, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Concerts include: Performing in front of her Majesty the Queen and the Spanish Royal Family at the:- 'Parliament Picnic', Choices for Life 2008 & 2009 playing to over 100,000 people and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Birthday concert at Hyde Park.

Keith has released two albums. His debut was called:- 'This Time' and went into the Top 40. His most recent album 'An Evening at the Musicals' was released last year. Most recently he has been in New York recording the soundtrack for a film called 'The Dreams of Kings' which will be entered at the New York Film Festival

Having enjoyed sensational reviews, Bill Kenwright’s ‘AMAZING’, ‘SUPERB’, ‘WONDERFUL’ and ‘BRILLIANT’ production of TIM RICE and ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’s sparkling family musical continues to enjoy huge success across the country with standing ovations at every performance.

This colourful retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours sings out to young and old alike with a score which is wall to wall hits, including Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.

Bill Kenwright, one of the most successful and prolific producers in British theatre today, (whose current hit West End shows include the musicals Blood Brothers and Cabaret and acclaimed drama The Letter), was on the expert panel of judges alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber, Denise Van Outen and John Barrowman and is delighted that Keith is taking on the leading role. Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Directed by Bill Kenwright, Designed by Sean Cavanagh, Choreographed by Henry Metcalfe, Lighting designed by Mark Howett and Sound designed by Chris Full.

To book tickets call the Liverpool Empire on:- 0844 847 2525 29.

CWU announces strike ballot at iPSL over pensions

THE CWU have announced that it is to ballot its members working for cheque processor iPSL in Bootle for industrial action over plans to change company pension arrangements. The company is planning to close the final salary pension scheme for existing members from 31 March 2011 and replace it with an inferior defined contribution pension which reduces company contributions by two thirds and places all the investment risk on members. The CWU has proposed alternative cost-cutting measures which would allow the scheme to stay open, but these have been rejected by the company.  Nigel Cotgrove, CWU assistant secretary, said:- “We have been in talks with iPSL since September last year trying to reach an agreement to keep the final salary pension open. However, the company have refused to entertain CWU proposals to reduce costs and risk and insists on going ahead with the closure of the pension despite the clear support of our members for the union’s approach. Therefore, we have had no option but to start an industrial action ballot which could lead to the first ever strike in the company. The iPSL proposals will cut company contributions to the members’ pensions by two thirds over a five year period, and leave members in a money purchase pension where all the investment risk has been moved to individuals. It is simply not an acceptable way to treat loyal and dedicated staff on the Bootle site who have been crucial in making iPSL a successful operation and delivering excellent customer service. At the request of the company we have agreed to go to talks at ACAS in an effort to see if industrial action can be avoided, but given that the pension changes are due to take place on 31 March 2011, we will be pressing ahead with our ballot.”   Ballot papers will be issued on 22 February 2011.  iPSL processes about 70% of the cheques in the UK and is owned by UNISYS, HSBC, Lloyds and Barclays. The CWU represents about 300 staff based at the Bootle site on Merseyside.

FINE WAY TO START HALF TERM

WITH the February half-term break approaching fast, TV Licensing and the British Hospitality Association are reminding hotels and guest houses in Southport to ensure they are correctly licensed to avoid risking a court prosecution and fine of up to £1,000.

Tourist pounds are expected to flow into the British economy in 2011, with the industry tipped to benefit from an extra £500 million from the Royal Wedding in April alone. February half-term therefore provides a timely opportunity for managers to ensure that their guesthouse is up to date with the necessary legal obligations for the year ahead.

Enquiry officers will be out visiting during half term week. Using TV Licensing’s database of almost 30 million UK addresses, our officers can identify premises, including hotels, where they suspect that people are watching TV illegally. Anyone found watching TV illegally risks a court prosecution and fine of up to £1,000. Last year TV Licensing’s enquiry officers caught more than 1,000 businesses that were not covered by a valid licence.

Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, said:- “All hoteliers must recognise that if you provide televisions for guests or staff, you must be covered by a valid TV Licence. If you’re uncertain of the rules, you can brush up in minutes by calling TV Licensing’s hotel team or visiting the website. You’ll then have the peace of mind knowing that you’re covered for the potentially busy year ahead.”

Tim Downs, TV Licensing spokesperson, said:- “Hotels and guesthouses could be in for a busy year so it’s essential that hotel managers ensure they are covered now, or they don’t risk a visit from an enquiry officer over the weeks and months ahead. We would always rather people pay for their TV Licence than risk a prosecution and a fine. Managers can get in touch with our hotels team if they have any questions by calling 0300 790 6124 or find out more at:- tvlicensing.co.uk/hotels.”

As with any other business, all hotels, inns or guest houses where people are watching or recording TV programmes as they are broadcast must be properly licensed. The fee for hotels and other guest accommodation is based on the number of units of overnight accommodation available to let and is calculated as follows for colour TVs:-

► £145.50 for the first 15 rooms where a TV is installed

► A further £145.50 for each subsequent set of five rooms where a TV is installed

This licence covers all equipment provided by the hotel/accommodation owner. It does not cover the use of any TV set or other device which is not provided by the proprietor of the accommodation, which would need to be covered by a separate TV Licence.

Do you think this is going to far? Email us your views to news24@southportreporter.com.

Keeping an eye on Doorstep Security

VULNERABLE residents in the Toxteth and Wavertree areas of Liverpool will benefit from extra security measures this week

Merseyside Police, Riverside Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes and Morrison will be fitting more homes with mirrors and safety chains. The wall mirror means that means residents can clearly see callers when the front door chain is on.

The idea comes from Liverpool Community Crime Fighter chair Paul Taylor after a bogus policeman broke into a Merseyside pensioners’ home and inflicted an attack that cost her life.

Once the scheme has been trialled the Liverpool Community Crime Fighters, an initiative by Citysafe, Liverpool’s crime safety partnership, hope to expand the service city wide.

Cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Ann O’Byrne said:- “This is a fantastic initiative and will hopefully play a key part in making elderly and vulnerable people feel safe in their own homes.  We are working with residents to introduce a range of practical safety measures which empower them to take responsibility for their own security. This project is a great example of how we can send out a clear message to criminals that doorstep crime will not be tolerated.”

Debbie Mackay Neighbourhood Inspector for the area said:- “This is an excellent partnership approach to the prevention of a particularly distressing crime and will help us to reduce such incidents in the future. Initiatives like this can only help us to reduce the incidents of burglary. We ask that local residents help us by watching over those neighbours who may be vulnerable and elderly, to assist us in preventing offenders from committing these types of crime that cause misery and distress to others.”

Brian Gates, Community Development Manager for repairs provider Morrison, whose colleagues will be fitting door chains and mirrors said:- “Morrison are committed to helping to make neighbourhoods safer and through this partnership we have been able to help make a real difference to residents in Merseyside by fitting some simple but effective devices.”