REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL nominated for Best Touring Production in the TMA Theatre UK Awards!
Graeae and The New Wolsey’s Reasons to be Cheerful has been shortlisted for the Best Touring Production award which is being voted for by the public on The Stage website. We need you to vote here to ensure we have a chance of winning.
Jenny Sealey said: ‘I’m thrilled that Reasons to be Cheerful has been shortlisted for this award. The show had a hugely talented cast, band, crew and creative team and this nomination is already a fantastic testimony to everyone’s hard work and passion. Graeae and the New Wolsey have a great working relationship and to win an award as co-producers would be a fitting acknowledgement of what we have achieved together.’
The collaboration has also been shortlisted for the Renee Shepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre. This nomination reflects the marketing, front of house provision and access support and we are proud to be on the shortlist.
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL CAST AND BAND FEATURE IN PARALYMPIC OPENING CEREMONY
If you were one of the millions of people that tuned into the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony on Wednesday 29 August you won’t have been able to miss the emotive battle cry that was Spasticus Autisticus. Performed by Graeae’s Reasons to be Cheerful cast and band alongside Orbital and Stephen Hawkins, this was on of the highlights of the ceremony.
The Blockheads said: ‘Graeae’s performance of Spasticus Autisticus at the opening ceremony was historic, uplifting and spellbinding! What defined Ian Dury was his spirit, courage and wit and we can all safely say that Ian would have been proud, gob smacked and may even have shed a tear at the bravura of this performance. We are extremely proud to see these wonderful artists profile their skills and passion to a global audience.’
Jemima Dury said: ‘I had a very special place in my heart for the wonderful Graeae cast and band singing Spasticus Autisticus full pelt in a stadium with Stephen Hawking, Orbital and Her Majesty the Queen! Dad (Ian Dury) would have been exploding with pride, I was! It’s a very lovely connection to have this year not least because Dad competed in the Stoke Mandeville Games back in the 50s, in a swimming event, and it’s so exciting to see what has become of those early competitions.’
Now, with the Paralympic Opening Ceremony performance under their belts you can see the show at the Southbank Centre this coming weekend for a one off show.
Sunday 9 September 2pm
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London
Following an incredible tour which gave audiences around the UK many a reason to be cheerful, we are back bigger, better and more rockin’ than ever before. If you have been missing your dose of anarchy from Vinnie and his mates, and are ready to dance in the aisles again you won’t want to miss the cast and band take the Southbank Centre by storm.
Click here to buy your tickets.
Even more chances to catch REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL this summer…
We return to Hackney Empire on 1 September to perform some Ian Dury & The Blockheads’ classics as part of Ha Ha Hackney: Maggie Maggie Maggie… … …!
Then get your dancing shoes on as we take to the stage at this year’s Liberty Festival on 2 September at Trafalgar Square. Expect a rockin’ performance at this 10th anniversary of the festival. More details here.
‘Paul Sirett’s script snaps, snarls, laughs and leers, just like Dury’s music.’ The Stage
‘REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL is a total blast… The instinct to get up on stage with them and dance is overwhelming.’ Danny Boyle
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL with its red-hot band and gritty coming of age tale, raised the roof, had audiences dancing in the aisles and shouting for more on it’s 2012 spring tour at the New Wolsey, Hall for Cornwall, Hull Truck , Watford Palace, Dundee Rep, Nottingham Playhouse and Dury’s old stamping ground Hackney Empire.
It was all your brain and body needed an amazing 1633 mile Spring 2012 epic tour that received 5 star reviews.
‘A masterpiece!’ Chaz Jankel
We will be back to ‘ave some more later this year so watch this space! Oi Oi!
‘Beyond emotional, beyond brilliant!’ Baxter Dury
Hits such as “Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll”, “Sweet Gene Vincent”, “Spasticus Autisticus” and “Hit Me with your Rhythm Stick” filled theatres with raucous glee once again.
Listen to the cast performing Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3
Visit our ticket page for more information on dates and how to book…‘Ave it!
Reasons To Be Cheerful Promo from Ted Evans on Vimeo.
‘The music is brilliant, and there are moments of crude punk genius’ - The Times
Set during a time of political change and economic hardship, a top class cast and a scorching live band pay tribute to Dury’s anarchic spirit and propels this riotous skiddling, diddling, bled-white, died-black coming of age tale.
It’s 1979: Labour loses to the Tories, strikes rock the nation and Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3) climbs the charts. As the ultimate fans, Vinnie and his mates would do anything to see Dury at the Hammersmith Odeon, only the gig is sold out. But life has a habit of throwing strange things at you, and one night of frustration becomes something else entirely…
Written by Olivier-nominated theatre writer with a growing reputation Paul Sirett (Come Dancing, The Big Life, Bad Blood Blues, A Night In Tunisia) and directed by Jenny Sealey MBE (Artistic Director, Graeae. Bent, Blasted and Signs of a Star Shaped Diva).
Reasons to be Cheerful (Part3) original track – Lyrics and music by Ian Dury, Chaz Jankel & Davey Payne
Original production co-produced by Graeae, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, and Theatre Royal Stratford East
To download a copy of the programme in plain text click here.
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Online Publishing from YUDU
