Rolling out the tributes

TRIBUTE shows account for more than one third of the autumn entertainment at the Grand Opera House this autumn, 16 of the 42 shows being nostalgic.

Music dominates the tribute line-up, starting on Sunday with The Masters Of The House, a "stylish and sophisticated concert of songs from the hit shows, humorous theatrical anecdotes and fascinating backstage stories from the world of musical theatre".

This is the latest production from Ellie Jay, who promoted Beyond The Barricade, and the company features former cast members of Les Miserables: Thomas Barsoe, Jayne O'Mahoney, Lindsey Danvers, Loren Geeting and James Barron. They will be accompanied by a seven-piece orchestra, in performances of songs from Evita, Cats, Phantom Of The Opera, Les Miserables, Beauty And The Beast, Miss Saigon, Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar and more besides.

Next Saturday, The Other Beatles will be Keeping The Legend Alive; on September 13, Walk Right Back!, "Europe's No. 1 and only Everly Brothers tribute show", re-creates the rock'n'roll of not only Phil and Don but also Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Duane Eddy and Hank Marvin.

On September 14, The Squadronaires Orchestra plays the music of the Forties when they Strike Up The Band at 8pm; the following night, Masquerade present A Tribute To Stage And Screen, comprising songs from stage and screen.

Rockin' On Heaven's Door, returning to the Opera House on September 23, is a fantasy concert celebration of Elvis Presley (performed by Richard Atkins), Roy Orbison (Johnny Curtis), Buddy Holly (Marc Robinson) and Eddie Cochran (Rebel Dean).

Roll Out The Barrel, at 2.30pm on September 27, takes a musical trip down variety-hall memory lane; musicians and singers from the BBC Big Band and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra re-activate the timeless standards of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby in Legends Of Swing on October 2; Duncan Breeze leads the company for A Night At The Musicals on October 6.

In West End Nights Broadway Lights, on November 2, a cast "direct from London's West End" performs songs from the most popular musicals; That'll Be The Day, a regular booking at the Opera House, returns on November 13 to both celebrate and satirise the rock and pop stars of the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies.

On November 17, at 8pm, six-piece band The Corrz replay the Celtic sound of three Irish sisters and their brother, namely The Corrs; the next evening, Grease Lightning packs together the hits of Grease, Happy Days and the Fifties and Sixties; on December 4, Hollywood Broadway is another compilation of songs from the musicals; on December 9, frequent visitors Abba Gold are back again.

There are plenty more musical attractions during the next four months. Chisinau National Opera performs Bizet's Carmen on September 9 and Puccini's Turandot on October 7; Blackmore's Night, featuring Deep Purple guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore, showcase their new Fires At Midnight album on September 25; York Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society stages Fiddler On The Roof from October 10 to 13.

Former Fairground Attraction singer Eddi Reader is in the solo spotlight on October 28, promoting her Simple Soul album; Raymond Froggatt plays York on his Songwriter Tour on November 1; York party band Huge host their annual charity show on November 3; and The Manfreds team up with singer Paul Jones's other band, The Blues Band, on December 2.

Three shows are being given week-long runs, starting with James Harmen's Any Extras?, a sex comedy set in a massage parlour, from September 17 to 22. Raw!, alias Rhythm At Work, combines dynamic dance and pounding percussion in a Scott and Michelle Peters show dedicated to making extraordinary music out of ordinary objects, from October 15 to 20.

Bill Kenwright's touring production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's ever popular musical, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, makes its annual visit to York on October 22 to 27, this time with Glen Drake in the lead role. As always, there will be performances galore, including three on the Saturday, at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm.

On the comedy front, the hairy, slightly scary Bill Bailey is in York on October 30, followed by the definitely scary Scottish comic and magician Jerry Sadowitz on November 9; the deeply blue Roy Chubby Brown, on his Thunder B****cks Tour, on November 12; and the ever-so-happy Jack Dee on December 8 at 8pm.

Children's shows are led off by The Sooty Show, Magic And Mayhem with presenters Richard Cadell and Amanda Howard, on November 11 at 1pm; then Bananas In Pyjamas on November 18 at 11.30am and 2pm, and Johnny Ball's Tales Of Blooming Science on November 22 at 10am and 1.15pm.

For proof of diversity at the Opera House, consider the shows that complete the line-up this autumn and winter before the Christmas pantomime. Puppetry Of The Penis, The Ancient Australian Art Of Genital Origami, features two handsome, well-endowed Australians manipulating their manhood on September 28 in an 8pm show newly moved from October 4.

The Andrea Ferrebee School of Dance presents Showtime 2001 on September 30; Big Time American Wrestling returns on November 11 at 7pm, and The Fist Of The Dragon gives an insight into Wushu-Chinese martial arts on November 14.

Former drugs dealer turned raconteur and writer Howard Marks recalls his encounters with the CIA, the Italian Mafia and MI6 in An Audience With Mr Nice on November 25 at 8pm; hypnotist Paul McKenna is Hypnotic on December 5 at 7.45pm.

The Grand Opera House year ends with Simon Barry's production of Dick Whittington, starring Neighbours' soap star Anne Charleston as Queen Rat; Jean Fergusson, from Last Of The Summer Wine, as Fairy Marina; impressionist Aiden J Harvey; choreographer Warren James as Dick Whittington and Phil Randall as Sarah the Cook. Staged by New Pantomime Productions, the panto runs from December 13 to January 6.

All one-night shows start at 7.30pm unless stated. Tickets for the autumn and winter season can be booked on 01904 671818; group bookings 01904 678705.