There’s nothing quite like the thrill of live entertainment, the sheer joy of seeing your favourite stars performing on stage in front of you – and the 2022 Spring & Summer line-up at the Plymouth Pavilions boasts some of the best performers in the business. #AdvertismentFeature
Love a good laugh? Entranced by dance? Music more your thing? Or sport? The Pavilions brings all of these, and more. Here are just six of the shows that will get you laughing, dancing, singing, and cheering in ’22 …
DANCE
Anton & Giovanni – Him & Me: Tuesday 21 June (7.30pm)
Two of BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s best loved professional dancers, Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice, team up for a fabulous night out for all ages. The Ballroom King (Anton) and the two-time Guinness World Record holder & Master of the Jive (Giovanni) are joined by a world class cast of dancers and singers for the tour, making this an evening of dance, song and fun not to be missed. Giovanni is, of course, the reigning champion of BBC Strictly Come Dancing, after famously winning the 2021 series with Eastenders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, whose achievement as someone who is deaf has proved such an inspiration to many. The show is produced by Strictly Theatre Co. and directed by Alan Burkitt.
Here Come the Boys: Wednesday 13 July (7pm)
The critically acclaimed West End show hits the road this year, giving fans locally the chance to see some of the biggest dance superstars in this non-stop extravaganza. Graziano di Prima, Pasha Kovalev, Nikita Kuzmin and Karim Zeroual are joined by Nadiya Bychkova in a high-octane celebration of dance, featuring a cutting-edge soundtrack of dance-floor anthems, club classics and guilty pleasures. The show wowed audiences and critics at the London Palladium last year, and the Pavilions is delighted to play host for one night this summer. As London Theatre Reviews said in its review, “the show is a big, joyful party from the beginning to the end”. Bring it on!
MUSIC
UB40 – Bigga Baggariddim Tour: Tuesday 10 May (8pm)
UB40 bring their much-anticipated Bigga Baggariddim Tour to the Pavilions in May, as part of a nationwide tour that is kickstarting a new era for the legendary reggae band – more than four decades after they had their first hits. Matt Doyle makes his UB40 tour debut as the band’s new lead singer, making it a must-attend event for UB40 fans: “I can’t wait for the tour to kick off! UB40 has always been such a big influence on me and to now be joining them on stage, I feel incredibly honoured.” Matt is joined by founder members Robin Campbell, James Brown, Earl Falconer and Norman Hassan, and long-time members Martin Meredith, Laurence Parry and Tony Mullings. The 2022 tour promises to be a true UB40 fest, with a celebration of their classics, alongside their latest material including the single, You Don’t Call Any More. Classic songs include Food for Thought, One in Ten, Many Rivers to Cross, Cherry Oh Baby, If it Happens Again, Kingston Town, Rat in mi Kitchen, Don’t Break My Heart, and their three Number 1 chart toppers: (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You, I Got You Babe, and Red, Red Wine.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines: Saturday 30 July (7.30pm)
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth is renowned all around the world, and Plymouth Pavilions is thrilled to welcome the band back for a summer concert. The new Director of Music, Captain Matt Weites and the band will bring the usual mix of traditional and contemporary music, virtuosic solos, and the hugely popular Corps of Drums to the Pavilions for a night of wonderful entertainment. This year, the country commemorates two important national events: HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict. It is also a chance to at last mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Pilgrim fathers from Plymouth to America. Expect these anniversaries to be reflected in some of the music performed by the band.
SPORT
Test Match Special Live: Saturday 16 April (7.30pm)
Get in the mood for the 2022 English cricket season, as Phil Tufnell and Jonathan Agnew take you inside the famous BBC Test Match Special commentary box and share memories from their international playing careers. “Tuffers” and “Aggers” have watched more cricket (and eaten more cake!) than most and can tell amazing stories of life on the road as players and now as commentators. From Barbados to Birmingham and Christchurch to Kolkata – they’ve seen it all. Enjoy never-before-seen footage of iconic commentary moments; find out how the TMS team kept their emotions in check on-air as the 2019 World Cup Final went to the very last ball of the Super Over; and hear what life is really like watching England from the best seats in the house. There’s even the chance to bowl them some googlies of your own, with a Q&A. A special guest will be announced ahead of the Plymouth show.
COMEDY
Kevin Bridges – The Overdue Catch-Up: Friday 5 & Saturday 6 August (8pm)
Crowned the UK’s ‘Ticket of the Year’ by Ticketmaster fans in 2018, stand-up comedian Kevin Bridges will be at the Plymouth Pavilions for two nights on 5-6 August. Kevin’s astute observations about current events, human interactions and everyday life have helped to make him a well-known face on TV programmes such as Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You, Live at the Apollo, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow. He also had his own 6-episode series on BBC One, Kevin Bridges: What’s the Story. South West fans will have to jump in quick to be sure of securing their tickets for his Overdue Catch-Up tour. The Scottish comedian has previously broken box office records, with his last two tours, Brand New (2018) and A Whole Different Story (2015), going on to win awards from Ticketmaster and Ents24 for Fastest Selling Ticket of the Year. His last two tours accumulated almost one million ticket sales across the world, including a record 35 sold-out-shows at Glasgow’s Hydro, awarding him the most shows at that venue for one artist. Book now to avoid disappointment!
Info …
Tickets are available through the Pavilions website, www.plymouthpavilions.com , or through The Ticket Store, www.theticketstore.co.uk . You can also call and book tickets on 0333 772 7727 between 10am-2pm Monday-Friday.
Feature Article by our feature writer Laura Joint
