Lichfield Garrick reopens for shows this November - and legendary band The Fizz will take centre stage
Sound the applause, bring back the standing ovation as theatres in Staffordshire begin to open their doors again for live entertainment this November.
The Lichfield Garrrick has confirmed that it will be open next month with a two-show performance from Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston – aka The Fizz – on Friday November 6.
The venue says that social distancing and patron safety are at the forefront of its reopening plan with changes being made across the building to make it COVID-secure.
This includes sanitiser stations, one-way systems, pre-ordered snacks and drinks via the website.
The Garrick has confirmed that it had achieved the We’re Good to Go standard – an industry mark designed to reassure visitors.
The venue says that enhanced cleaning, PPE for staff and air extraction rather than recycling will also reduce the opportunities for the virus to spread.
The Fizz shows will include a matinee performance at 2.30pm and an evening show at 7.30pm.
The band, which were all members of 80s group Bucks Fizz, enjoying huge success after winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Making Your Mind Up, will be among the first artists to perform at the COVID-secure venue.
Theatregoers will be able to enjoy an extra-special show which will celebrate nearly 40 years since their song won the Eurovision Song Contest.
Making Your Mind Up performed by Bucks Fizz – Jay Aston, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Bobby G – won a close-fought competition and went on to become a classic Eurovision hit. Famously, the winning performance featured the boys in the band whipping off the girls’ skirts to reveal shorter skirts worn underneath.
The triumph saw the song rise to the top of the singles chart, with it becoming the year’s biggest selling song and launching a hit-laden career for Bucks Fizz.
Jay, Cheryl and Mike from the original Eurovision line-up are committed to completing their nationwide tour as The Fizz to celebrate their incident-packed career.
“The evening,” says the group, “is the ‘warts and all’, behind-the-curtain story of Bucks Fizz.
“From being put together and winning the Eurovision Song Contest to becoming one of the most successful bands of the 1980s with five number one hits and ten top ten songs.”
Bucks Fizz hits included Land of Make Believe, My Camera Never Lies, Piece of the Action, New Beginning (Mamba Seyra), Now Those Days are Gone, If You Can’t Stand the Heat, When We Were Young, Run for Your Life, One of Those Nights, Talking in Your Sleep and, of course, Making Your Mind Up.
The evening is backed up with projections and images as the trio tell their story of being part of one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, all interspersed with the hit songs.
“There’s a questions and answers session during the evening,” says show promoter David Halford of Artistes International Management, “where the audience are invited to ask absolutely anything.
“Don’t miss your piece of the action, make your mind up to book your seats today!”
Tickets are available online at Lichfieldgarrick.com.
