Love that Will still gets such prestigious charity gigs.

 

Andy Murray offers charity tennis lesson with him and Federer for £50k

By Annie Butterworth - October 11, 2017 078

TENNIS ACE Andy Murray has unveiled a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to train with him and Roger Federer – for an eye-watering £50,000.

 

The exclusive tennis clinic offers four lucky fans the chance to “personally interact” with the two world tennis stars as part of the Andy Murray Live charity event being held next month.

 

Murray revealed the details of the event today which includes a black-tie dinner and an exhibition match between him and Federer at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.

 

The £50,000 fee includes a table for eight people at the black-tie fundraiser, court side-seats for the exhibition match and the tennis session with Federer and Murray.

 

Other Table packages are also available, including the chance to sit with Jamie and Judy Murray for a slightly more affordable £20,000.

 

While a basic six person table at dinner, without any tickets to the match the next day, will set you back £10,000.

 

The exclusive dinner held on November 6th at the SSE Hydro is being catered by Michelin-starred chef Albert Roux.

 

Live entertainment will also be provided, with a music performance from Will Young with TV comedian Rob Brydon acting as auctioneer for the evening.

 

Guests at the event will be given the chance to bid on unusual prizes including a golfing experience with former British tennis number one Tim Henman and a set of used rackets from the big four – Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray.

 

A brochure sent out to fans by Andy himself said: “Dear Guest,

“Following the success of last year’s inaugural Andy Murray Live tennis event, I’m delighted that we are returning to The SSE Hydro, Glasgow on Monday 6th November for what promises to be a very special black-tie fundraising evening in aid of Unicef and local charity Sunny-sid3up.

 

“Although standard tickets to the tennis event are sold out, it is still possible to join us at the Fundraising Dinner by buying a table.”

The brochure added the £50,000 table is “The Ultimate Experience”.

 

It read: “Truly, a once in a lifetime opportunity for you and your guests to to combine the finest hospitality and premium live entertainment at the Fundraising Dinner with Andy, coupled with an unforgettable Andy Murray Live experience the following day when you will personally interact with both Andy and Roger during your clinic and then witness the evenings battle on court of these two legends from the comfort of your prime positioned hospitality box.”

 

“Four places in a shared tennis clinic of thirty with Andy Murray and Roger Federer on Tuesday 7th November, at The SSE Hydro, with lunch which includes a Q&A session with Andy and Roger”

Thanks TT, shall we get two tables and shove them together? it's only £100k. :lol:

Great write up re the Homo Sapiens podcast in the Sunday Observer Mag.

 

Originally billed as a LGBTQ+ version of Women’s Hour, this podcast by Will Young and Chris Sweeney is all kinds of great. The two friends swing from touchingly candid to downright hilarious and their laid back interview style elicits anecdotes and opinions that guests such as Russell T Davies, Owen Jones and Rebecca Root have never aired before. Young knows just how to sprinkle the right amount of celebrity stardust on the proceedings, talking about the tricky business of juggling his role as a popstar with his sexuality. Most importantly, he is genuinely interested in what the guests have to say. The low-fi approach of Homo Sapiens, with the yap of small dogs interrupting the flow and the hosts wandering off on a tangent to explore the merits of Gladiators and cake, only adds to its charm.

16/10/2017 • Entertainment • Interviews • LGBT • Lifestyle

Boys Who Podcast: In Conversation with Will Young and Chris Sweeney

Originally published in HISKIND Autumn ’17, out now.

 

Far more than Woman’s Hour’s most loyal fan-following, Will Young and Chris Sweeney’s Homo Sapiens podcast series is, undoubtedly, your new favourite listen for all the right reasons.

 

The brainchild of UK pop icon Young and acclaimed director Sweeney, this venture into the world of podcasting takes its inspiration from BBC Radio 4’s prestigious Woman’s Hour programme before adding a uniquely LGBTQ+ twist courtesy of your new favourite power-duo.

 

Following the format of a weekly conversational debate, each episode examines a diverse array of LGBTQ+ issues with the likes of journalist Owen Jones, beloved musician John Grant, trans actress Rebecca Root and Queer As Folk creator Russel T Davies joining as guests.

 

Equally as sharp and witty as it is casual and (understandably) necessary, Homo Sapiens owes its reception to the intelligent conversations and unique use for the ever-growing platform of podcasting.

 

Over much-needed caffeine in Dean Street’s Soho House, the two tell all on how the show came to be, queer art and the rise of podcasting as a platform for LGBTQ+ voices.

 

With such a unique concept behind Homo Sapiens, where did the original idea stem from?

 

Chris: We both listen to Woman’s Hour loads and, on the 70th anniversary show, they revealed that 40% of their listeners were men and how that effects the show’s content. Honestly, that made me laugh which got me thinking that no one really has a show like ours so why don’t we just do it? The concept means we can talk about anything we want to say with an LGBTQ+ perspective which makes it so easy to do.

 

Whilst podcasting is by no means new, the surge in popularity is undeniable…

 

Chris: Lots of people actually don’t know what they are or do. They’re unfamiliar with that oddly laid-out section of iTunes that homes the podcasts.

 

Will: It’s definitely a new territory which is why it’s so freeing. People find podcasts quite relaxing too, like an extension of an audiobook.

 

Chris: A lady told me that she watches reruns of Bullseye with the volume down whilst she listens to ours…

 

The rise in podcast popularity has allowed for a fresh, modernised way for the LGBTQ+ community to voice themselves in an alternative format. Is this something you noticed before creating your own series?

 

Will: A good aspect of modernisation is everything is more accessible and immediate with more space for everyone’s voice. LGBTQ+ exposure in mainstream media is often within a category, so you get your five minutes and then it moves on. More people want more time to be heard which they can do with a podcast and for the LGBTQ+ community, that’s really liberating. We can talk about whatever we want and it’s normalised within the context of our podcast.

 

Chris: Growing up, we only had the Littlewoods catalogue underwear section and that’s where you got your kicks from. There was really no other way of seeing hot guys in next to nothing and it’s something gay men of my generation understand. To me, these podcasts are an extension of that as it is common ground between LGBTQ+ people that doesn’t get discussed in mainstream media.

 

What were the criteria for the guests chosen?

 

Chris: Our own brief stated we wanted people who’d done something for the LGBTQ+ community as well as representing a current affairs issue. We wanted to talk to people that we knew we would want to listen to, a prime example being our mutual love for John Grant.

 

Will: In terms of gay men in the public eye, he’s totally unique. He’s so honest and authentic and not afraid to say anything as he knows himself so well.

 

Chris: Someone told us we should do an outtakes show, missing the point entirely. It’s scary sharing things about growing up LGBTQ+ and we acknowledge that with our guests. LGBTQ+ people are very used to sitting on a secret and that can potentially be carried through life.

 

In the first episode, you discuss how dancing with a male mannequin in the Let It Go video affected Will’s perception as an artist and, perhaps, his career. If the same video was given a present-day release, do you think it would receive the same reaction?

 

Will: I think the media perception of it would be the issue. People have told me that videos with two men are niche when it doesn’t even register with me. I thought it was interesting how people decide how something will be marketed based on the relationship of the two in the video. I recently watched a documentary on queer art, explaining how Coronation Street viewers had no idea that queer art was being broadcast into their living rooms as the guy who wrote it was gay and modelled a lot of the characters on drag queens. Now when I think of Annie Lennox and Bowie, I realise how powerful what they were doing actually was.

 

Who would be the ideal guest?

 

Will: I’d really love to interview Ru Paul. Is that too obvious?

 

Chris: He’s done a lot for America in terms of bringing attention to the LGBTQ+ community and alternative topics. I think that’d be a fascinating conversation. Oh, and Michelle Obama, obviously.

 

Listen to Season 1 of Homo Sapiens now at http://homosapienspodcast.com/

 

To keep up to date with the latest at HISKIND, follow us on Twitter & Instagram and like us on Facebook.

A special role has been written for Will, as the bandleader, when Strictly Ballroom the Musical transfers to the West End next March. :D

 

Strictly Ballroom the Musical plays at the Piccadilly Theatre London from 16th March to 21st July 2018, with an official press night on 11th April 2018. Performances are at 7:30pm every day, excluding Sundays, with matinees at 2:30pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

 

 

Will Young, Jonny Labey and Zizi Strallen to Lead Baz Luhrmann's STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL

 

Will Young, Jonny Labey and Zizi Strallen will lead the cast of Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom The Musical when it makes its West End debut in 2018. Based on Baz Luhrmann's classic film that inspired the world to dance, Strictly Ballroom The Musical will begin performances at the Piccadilly Theatre on Friday 16th March 2018 (Press Night Wednesday 11th April).

 

Will Young will play the brand new role of band leader, Wally Strand. Ever since winning the inaugural series of Pop Idol in 2001, Will has been one of the UK's most popular and successful music artists. He holds the record for the fastest selling debut single in British chart history, and has enjoyed a phenomenal career in music with four No1 albums, as well as acting alongside Dame Judi Dench in the film Mr. Henderson Presents, and his hugely acclaimed stage debut as the Emcee in the West End production of Cabaret.

 

Jonny Labey will make his West End debut in the leading role of Scott Hastings, the maverick ballroom dancer torn between his passion and his pride. Jonny burst into the national spotlight by winning the ITV show Dance Dance Dance. Jonny, well known for playing the role of Paul Coker in EastEnders, has also starred in the film Soft Lad, headlined the play Verge of Strife, and can currently be seen as a new judge on CBBC's Taking The Next Step.

 

Zizi Strallen will play the role of Fran, the fledgling dancer who partners with Scott and catches his eye following his fall from grace. Having shot to stardom as the lead in Mary Poppins, Zizi's additional West End credits include Follies, Cats, Dirty Dancing, Hairspray and Chicago.

 

The cast includes Michelle Bishop (Thoroughly Modern Milly, Sunset Boulevard) as Pam Short, Ivan de Freitas (Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin) as Merv, Gabriela Garcia (In The Heights, Ghost) as Vanessa Cronin, Charlotte Gooch (Top Hat, Dirty Dancing) as Tina Sparkle, Richard Grieve (Neighbours, Emmerdale and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Les Kendall, Liam Marcellino (Cabaret, Miss Saigon) as Wayne Burns, Stephen Matthews (The Lion King, The Producers) as Doug Hastings, Fernando Mira (ENO, Victorian State Opera) as Rico, Eve Polycarpou (Villa Thalia, In The Heights) as Abuela, Lauren Stroud (Top Hat, Hairspray) as Liz Holt & Gary Watson (Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be, A Chorus Line, Jersey Boys) as Ken Railings.

 

The cast also includes Chris Bennett, Chrissy Brooke, Hannah Fairclough, Selina Hamilton, Christopher D Hunt, Luke Jackson, Justin-Lee Jones, Robin Kent, Jacob Maynard, Leanne Pinder, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda & Dale White.

 

The full cast is yet to be announced.

 

Strictly Ballroom is the romantic story that was embraced around the world, and went on to put the Strictly into Come Dancing! Based on the multi award-winning movie, the first instalment from Baz Luhrmann's acclaimed Red Curtain Trilogy, the musical production is a kaleidoscope of colour and fun. When rogue championship ballroom dancer Scott defies all the rules of competition to follow his heart, he teams up with left-footed partner Fran to compete in the Pan Pacific Championship his own way. Their love blossoms as their routines flourish, and together they triumph in bringing down the sequin-clad regime of the Dance Federation.

 

Featuring the film's iconic music such as Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time, Strictly Ballroom The Musical will also include electrifying songs from a host of internationally acclaimed artists.

 

The production originated in Australia where it was created by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. Drew McOnie (whose dazzling choreography for In the Heights earned him the 2016 Olivier Award) will direct and choreograph the West End premiere, with a book by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce.

 

Strictly Ballroom The Musical is produced by Global Creatures the team behind Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular, Muriel's Wedding The Musical and the Broadway-bound King Kong and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

 

For all information about STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL, please see http://www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com.

Will has tweeted.

 

'Strictly Ballroom is an iconic film by iconic director and now I am thrilled and excited to be a part of it on west end. They are an amazingly talented company and it's an honour'.

Will & Chris are the guests on Jesse Ware's podcast this week.

 

https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/tabl ... e-23158026

 

So for Ep 2 I thought it was only right and proper that I invite over my dear, dear family friend and awesome promo video director Chris Sweeney, along with his partner in podcast crime and Cabaret star Will Young, a.k.a. the Homo Sapiens boys!

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/show ... re_20dec

 

Will Young presents with Great Pleasure at Christmas.

 

Will Young takes us on a tour of his favourite bits of writing, songs, entertanment and art including Lord of the Rings, Joni Mitchell, Magritte, Cabaret and King Lear. Along the way he'll talk about his life and his career. And there'll be live music and performance from Will himself :party6: plus a range of special guests.

 

Wonder if this could be the start of more radio work for Will.

Any news on a new album for Will. I like all the other stuff he does but it's all about the music for me. I know he's busy doing bits this year but is more or less confirmed for 2018? I loved the last album but it did under perform slightly and i'd be surprised if he is still with Island Records..

Any news on a new album for Will. I like all the other stuff he does but it's all about the music for me. I know he's busy doing bits this year but is more or less confirmed for 2018? I loved the last album but it did under perform slightly and i'd be surprised if he is still with Island Records..

 

He’s been saying in interviews recently that he’s having a break from music to concentrate on acting, and that his pop career is behind him now. He’s got another stage role next year in Strictly Ballroom in the West End.

Radio 2 Essential R'n'B

 

Good to see there are 4 shows in total. :D The first two to be aired on 20th & New Year's Day.

 

 

 

Will Young returns with another hour of his favourite contemporary R&B tracks. This programme features music from Angie Stone, Missy Elliott, Sade and Babyface.

Will says, "It's great to be back on Radio 2 with a very personal selection of some of the finest R&B tracks. I've had great fun rummaging through my old CDs and vinyl and I hope you approve of my choices. Some of the tracks you mightn't know and some...well, you probably bought when they first came out. But the one thing they have in common is that they're all Essential R&B".

Will returns on New Year's Day with the first of three more programmes

 

Edited December 8, 20177 yr by truly talented

FB message from Will.

 

I will be hosting a Carol concert 22nd December at Hall for Cornwall for Shiresholt horse sanctuary tickets available at hallforcornwall.co.uk tickets £15

Lots of carols and mince pies !

 

Showbiz › Celebrity News

Will Young: I’ve learned to live with my anxiety

ALISTAIR FOSTER

 

Will Young says he has “learned to live” with the anxiety that led him to quit Strictly — and is ready for his return to ballroom dancing.

 

The singer, 38, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2012 and walked out of last year’s BBC dancing competition after three weeks.

 

Last month it was announced he will join the cast of the musical Strictly Ballroom, which debuts at the Piccadilly Theatre in March. Speaking about his casting for the first time, Young told the Standard: “I would separate Strictly on the BBC from Strictly on the West End. They all exist in their own right.

 

“With PTSD, sometimes it could be difficult for me to go to the coffee shop, or visit the bank — but I now know when to expect it. It’s just something I’ve learned to live with the best I can, and listen to my body.

 

“If my nervous system is too much then I might not want to go round to a friend’s for dinner. If I push myself to do things it gets worse. It’s like having a broken leg if you are an athlete — you need time to recover and can’t push yourself.

 

“I’ve got really good at looking after my nervous system — it’s been the making of me. Self-care is what everyone should aspire to.

 

“I’m a very content person. People think that PTSD must be depressing. That’s not the case.”

 

Young, who won the first Pop Idol in 2002, is working on a second series of his podcast Homo Sapiens, which focuses on LGBTQ+ issues. He starts preparing for his West End role next month. “I work on things that pique my interest,” he said. “With Strictly Ballroom, I’m excited and slightly scared.”

Edited December 18, 20177 yr by truly talented

He’s been saying in interviews recently that he’s having a break from music to concentrate on acting, and that his pop career is behind him now. He’s got another stage role next year in Strictly Ballroom in the West End.

Seen that. Not happy. I may be in a minority but my interests in Will are limited to his pop career. I'm not interested in anything else...

Surprised but delighted. :dance:

 

We’re now ready to unveil our headline music acts to bring that true festival vibe to Pub in the Park. We hope you’ll agree we’ve got the 'Golden Touch' & that we'll have you 'Dancing in the Moonlight'! The line-ups includes Razorlight, Will Young & Tom Odell...check them out!

 

https://www.pubintheparkuk.com/marlow/music/all-acts

 

Hope there's more.

Edited January 26, 20187 yr by truly talented

Tweet from Will.

 

Well rather a fun gig has come in.....@pubinthepark in marlowe #pubinthepark May19th. I shall be with my old band which I am very excited about! Great food and setting and music

Tweet from Will.

 

Well rather a fun gig has come in.....@pubinthepark in marlowe #pubinthepark May19th. I shall be with my old band which I am very excited about! Great food and setting and music

 

Great to see he’s performing while also doing Strictly Ballroom. :cheer:

2nd series of Homo Sapiens coming soon. :cheer:

 

West End

Strictly Ballroom to get its West End musical debut

Will Young stars as new band leader character in a production promising ‘subversive anarchy’

 

Mark Brown Arts correspondent

Wed 14 Feb 2018 18.58 GMT Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 22.01 GMT

 

Image

 

 

Will Young, Zizi Strallen, Jonny Labey with cast members of Strictly Ballroom the Musical at the Cafe de Paris in London. Photograph: Dave M Benett/Getty Images

Details of a new West End musical were announced on Wednesday.

 

It will be based on the 1992 Baz Luhrmann film, which told the story of a young maverick ballroom dancer who follows his heart, breaks the rules and takes on a rigid autocracy in the form of the Australian Dance Federation.

 

The production began life four years ago in Australia before a second version ran in Leeds and Toronto. The latest incarnation will be radically different, according to its director and choreographer Drew McOnie.

 

“It is quite a lot different to all of the previous productions,” he said. “We want this theatre experience to have the same subversive anarchy of the film.”

 

 

The main difference is the inclusion of a new band leader character played by Will Young, who will be the main singer.

 

It will give the show a gig-like quality, said McOnie. “Will Young’s character scores the action, he is like a devil of mischief and anarchy, he is the spirit which is inside all of us.”

 

The heavily sequinned, blindingly-glittered dancers will do their stuff while Young leads the singing of pop classics including Time After Time, Love is in the Air, Tequila and Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.

 

McOnie said the popularity of ballroom dancing, because of Strictly Come Dancing, was a gift but had also forced the producers to raise their game.

 

“The pressure for us [is]that the entire audience are now expert judges,” he said. “The trauma! If I’d done this 10 years ago, you could have got away with anything, you could have done a tap dance in a ballroom dress. But that’s the thrill of it … it pushes us in to a very exciting place.”

 

The new show is based on a film which some people mis-remember as a musical.

 

It was very much a drama, one first created as a stage show when Luhrmann was still a student. He produced a version at a youth drama festival in Bratislava in Slovakia in 1986 and then Sydney. The film, his first, was released 26 years ago and soon became a cult hit across the world.

 

It was a springboard from which Luhrmann went on to make the movies Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge.

 

Young said he jumped at the chance to be part of the show because of his memories of the Strictly Ballroom film. He pulled out of the 14th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 after just three weeks, saying he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that manifested itself in a condition called “derealisation”, adding he quit “for my own wellbeing”.

 

Young, speaking about his new role, said it was very different to Strictly Come Dancing because he was an actor in the West End show, not a contestant.

 

Young said he had decided to stop recording pop music and would, one day, like to be a therapist. Or not. “In 12 years time if I want to become a mechanic, I’ll become a mechanic. The problem is, in society, we’re all put in to boxes.”

 

He said Strictly Ballroom was a “great metaphor” for how people should creatively do what they want to do.

 

 

 

The show’s producer Carmen Pavlovic said the story of youthful rebellion had a strong resonance today.

 

“It’s joyous but it’s also about personal freedom, about speaking up, about daring to be different and the modern relevance of Barry Fife [head of the Australian Dance Federation] … a badly tanned dictator.”

 

If audiences are less convinced about the political overtones, they might be won over by the exuberance of it – with McOnie admitting it could be the campest production for some time.

 

In Leeds the costumes, designed by Catherine Martin, Luhrmann’s wife, had 200,000 handcrafted diamantes and 4,000 ostrich feathers.

 

“There will be more, we’ve definitely added another third,” McOnie said.

 

“The costumes are very funny, very sexy and very colourful. The costume design of the show is going to [be] quite an event and unlike anything the west end has to offer at the moment.”

 

• Strictly Ballroom the Musical begins previews at the Piccadilly theatre on 29 March.

Edited February 15, 20187 yr by truly talented