Bobby Crush plays Dame Dolly in Sleeping Beauty at Kenneth More Theatre
The legendary pianist and entertainer Bobby Crush will be playing Dame Dolly in this year's panto Sleeping Beauty at the Kenneth More Theatre!
Tickets are on sale now for 14 December-12 January. To find out more visit visionrcl.org.uk/kmt
#004 Britannia Music Building 2006 v 2019
The Britannia Music building was already well established before the company moved in. In the early 1980s the tenant was H. Chappell & Co*, the famous music publisher and piano manufacturer based in Bond Street. During the 1970s Phonodisc Ltd* occupied the building and pressed vinyl records from it.
Britannia Music Club was a small mail order firm based in New Cross which moved to Ilford in 1986**. Its membership swelled to over 2 million in the late 90s becoming Europe's largest music and video mail order club.***
However, the emergence and popularity of the MP3 music format by the early 2000s meant customers sought alternatives to the high premium subscriptions, even with the perks of four albums for £1 each up front.
By 2005 the music business as a whole was struggling under the weight of illegal downloading and a shift towards owning compilation albums or individual playlists than single-artist albums. The sale of DVDs from the late 90s didn't prevent a decline in subscriptions either with online retailers offering much cheaper and broader catalogues to choose from.
Britannia staff did receive perks for working there; for instance a free DVD or album each month, but in the age of streaming and downloading, even that seems like an archaic offer to get excited about.
What are you memories of Britannia Music?
References and Thanks to:
*Redbridge Central Library
** A Potted History of Ilford by Norman Gunby
***
Backstage at the KMT During Aladdin (Part 1)
An award winning documentary which takes a look backstage at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford's production of Aladdin 2008/09. Constructed by four of the cast - Hamilton, Rikki, Nathan and Owen it as insightful journey into what it takes to stage a British pantomime and includes a spoof horror too!!! We've all had an amazing time. Thanks for making it so special. Enjoy!
Peter Pan Panto Promo - Kenneth More Theatre
Sat 9 Dec 2017 - Sat 13 Jan 2018
Come and join us on a magical journey as we fly away to Neverland this festive season with Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. The KMT once again promise a pantomime full of adventure, with stunning sets and costumes, outstanding song and dance routines, fun for all the family and an abundance of audience participation!
Following overwhelming public demand, Marc Seymour will be returning to join in the fun and mayhem once again as everybody’s favourite Pantomime Dame, so book your tickets now for this spectacular Christmas panto.
PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH GREAT ORMOND STREET
HOSPITAL CHILDREN'S CHARITY AND SAMUEL FRENCH LTD.
The Twenty Four Hour Plays at The Kenneth More Theatre
On Sunday the 26th September at the Kenneth More Theatre, it was its first Twenty Four Hour Play Gala held at the KMT. 24 Actors, 6 Writers and 6 Directors worked tirelessly throughout the night and day to create 6 never seen before plays! This Video was shown just before the show started! Produced by Caulfield Productions: thecaulfieldtwins.co.uk
TREASURE ISLAND. KENNETH MORE THEATRE. I WANNABABEE. Song three.
It seemed amusing to think the straitlaiced Catain Smollett might have another side to him. Hence...the song and dance man.
Backstage at the KMT During Aladdin (Part 2)
An award winning documentary which takes a look backstage at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford's production of Aladdin 2008/09. Constructed by four of the cast - Hamilton, Rikki, Nathan and Owen it as insightful journey into what it takes to stage a British pantomime and includes a spoof horror too!!! We've all had an amazing time. Thanks for making it so special. Enjoy!
Film Club-I've Gotta Feeling
A music video made by Film club
斷腸詞 歐寶誼 鄧雪雲
Cantonese opera songs (百花齊放良朋聚紐咸演唱會) , Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford, Essex, England on 15-6-14
Backstage at the KMT During Aladdin (Part 3)
An award winning documentary which takes a look backstage at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford's production of Aladdin 2008/09. Constructed by four of the cast - Hamilton, Rikki, Nathan and Owen it as insightful journey into what it takes to stage a British pantomime and includes a spoof horror too!!! We've all had an amazing time. Thanks for making it so special. Enjoy!
In The Cage
Los Endos play the Genesis classic track In The Cage at Hurtwood Hall, May 2008.
The Audience Promo - KMT
Peter Morgan's award winning play THE AUDIENCE comes to the Kenneth More Theatre from Thursday 14 - Saturday 16 September 2017,
As Queen for sixty years, Elizabeth II has met each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace - a meeting like no other in British public life – it is private. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said. Not even to their spouses.
The Audience play breaks this contract of silence - and imagines a series of pivotal meetings between the Downing Street incumbents and their Queen. From Churchill to Cameron, each Prime Minister has used these private conversations as a sounding board and a confessional - sometimes intimate, sometimes explosive. In turn, the Queen can’t help but reveal her own self as she advises, consoles and, on occasion, teases. From young mother to grandmother these private audiences chart the arc of the second Elizabethan Age. Politicians come and go through the revolving door of electoral politics, while she remains constant, waiting to welcome her next Prime Minister.
Performed by kind permission of Peter Morgan and Independent Talent
Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (KMT).wmv
Genesis Tribute, Los Endos, perform Dancing With The Moonlit Knight at The kenneth More Theatre in Ilford on 21st Feb 2010.
My Funny Valentine - Babes In Arms - Danielle Morris
My performance of My Funny Valentine in Babes In Arms by Rodgers and Hart, at the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford.
Year 6 concert 2017- behind the scenes
Some photos of behind the scenes at the 2017 Year 6 concert!
Jack Petchey Awards Celebration
The Jack Petchey Achievement Awards Celebration March 2014 took place at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford. Jordan Xavier led our Young and Talented teens in a performance of One Up For Love.
Young and Talented School of Stage and Screen had three students who collected their awards, Jack Sands, Jade Benjamin and Sabrina Sousa. Along with these students Suzann McLean and Jordan Xavier both were honoured receiving Leader Awards.
The awards are given to young people who make a wholehearted, unselfish and dedicated contribution to their group. The leader awards are given to adults who have an outstanding ability to encourage and motivate young people.
youngandtalented.co.uk
1965 Kathy Kirby - I Belong
1965 Kathy Kirby - I Belong
Kathy Kirby (born Kathleen O'Rourke; 20 October 1938 – 19 May 2011) was an English singer, reportedly the highest-paid female singer of her generation. She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's Secret Love and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in second place.[4] Her physical appearance often drew comparisons with Marilyn Monroe. She peaked in popularity in the 1960s, when she was one of the best-known and most recognised personalities in British show business.
Kirby was born in Ilford, Essex. She was the eldest of three children of Irish parents. Her mother Eileen brought them up alone after their father left early in their childhood.[6] Kirby grew up in Tomswood Hill, Barkingside, near Ilford and attended the Ursuline Convent School in Ilford, where she sang in the choir.
Kirby's vocal talent became apparent early in life, and she took singing lessons with a view to becoming an opera singer. She became a professional singer after meeting bandleader Bert Ambrose at the Ilford Palais in 1956. She remained with Ambrose's band for three years and he remained her manager, mentor and lover until his death on stage in Leeds in 1971.
During the summer of 1957 Kirby performed at the Florida Park Restaurant in Madrid, Spain, and after returning to the UK not only performed with Ambrose's orchestra, but also with Nat Allen and his band. In 1959 Kirby joined vocalists Tony Mansell and Rikki Henderson in the Denny Boyce Band, and appeared regularly at the Lyceum Ballroom in London.[5] In the summer of 1959 she made her solo cabaret debut at the Astor Club, and was subsequently signed to Pye Records in 1960, releasing two singles Love Can Be and Now You're Crying, which sold few copies but helped her getting a six-month contract at Mayfair's Blue Angel nightclub. She adopted the look of a blonde bombshell, and was compared to Marilyn Monroe.
In 1962 she signed a contract with Decca Records, and released her first single (He's a) Big Man in October 1962. The single sold well over a long period of time, but failed to reach the top of the British charts. It was, however, a hit in Vancouver's CFUN in January 1963. In the summer of 1963 she had her first hit, after becoming a regular on the musical TV program Stars and Garters, the record being Dance On!, which peaked at No. 11 in the UK and No. 1 in Australia. Its follow-up was an upbeat reworking of the Doris Day classic Secret Love, which peaked at No. 3 on the British charts and stayed there for about 5 months.[5] In the same year she won Top British Female Singer in the New Musical Express poll. Her album 16 Hits From Stars & Garters was released in the end of 1963, and cracked the top 20. The single Let Me Go, Lover!, another upbeat reworking, this time of the classic by Joan Weber, reached the No. 10 spot in early 1964. Kirby disliked the song, stating that: Honestly, I was really surprised because I never had much hope for this record, and when I recorded it I thought it might never get anywhere at all.
Let Me Go, Lover! was followed by You're The One, which peaked at No. 17 in May 1964. This success was followed by a record breaking summer season show at the ABC Theatre in Blackpool.
Kirby became one of the biggest stars of the early to mid-1960s, appearing in the Royal Command Variety Performance and three television series for BBC TV. She represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965 and came second with the song I Belong which also became a hit. Author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor describes Kirby's I Belong as being far more representative of current musical tastes than other songs from the contest, but she was beaten by France Gall from Luxembourg, singing an even more contemporary song written by Serge Gainsbourg. An EP was issued featuring the six songs selected for the Eurovision Contest, featuring a different version of I Belong, which peaked at No. 10 in 1965. She also sang the theme tune of the BBC television series Adam Adamant Lives!.
In December 1983 she gave one last concert in Blackpool, then retired from show business altogether
Sideshow - Disney's High School Musical - Getcha part 1
Early rehearsal of the London Premiere of High School Musical, taking place at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford April 10 - 14 2007 - SideShow Youth Theatre Company - Getcha Head in the Game part 1
Teen dies after fight outside middle school
A 13-year old girl from Attucks Middle School ended up on life support at Texas Children's Hospital two days after a fight off campus.
Kashala Francis' mother, Mamie Jackson, says her daughter told her she was attacked by two girls after school on Thursday, and that another girl later jumped in and kicked her in the head.
Jackson says when her daughter returned home Thursday afternoon, she had a bruise on her face, but insisted she was okay.