2015 is set to be a bumper year for entertainment on the south coast, with bands, musicals and children’s favourites all set to make guest appearances in theatres across Dorset and Hampshire.
Here are just some of the highlights.
January
1) The year kicks off with a laugh, as comedian Omid Djalili, fresh from a sell-out, four week West End residency and sold-out season at the Edinburgh Festival, appears at Bournemouth’s Pavilion in January as part of his new tour.
2) “Maestro of comedy” Stephen K Amos also takes to the stage at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne with his Welcome to My World tour.
3) World famous Russian Ice Stars will be bringing one of the best-loved fairy stories of all time to the ice. Snow White on Ice will be a mesmerising show with ballet, gymnastics and aerial acrobatics.
February
4) Following a run of summer festivals, Kaiser Chiefs have confirmed a UK headline tour in 2015, including a performance at the BIC.
5) Multi-platinum singer, saxophonist, producer and songwriter Curtis Stigers is appearing at The Regent Centre in Christchurch in February.
6) Strictly favourites Anton and Erin will be back at Bournemouth Pavilion with a “dazzling” new production entitled That’s Entertainment.
7) Fans of The X Factor can catch all the stars at the BIC with the Live Tour 2015, when contestants will be performing classic songs and viewers’ favourites from the live TV shows.
8) Funny man Al Murray, AKA the Pub Landlord, is back in town at the Tivoli in February with his brand new show One Man, One Guvnor, which marks his 20 years at the top of the comedy circuit.
March
9) In March, the incredible Paloma Faith will be wowing fans at the BIC.
10) Another Strictly star, Brendan Cole, will be delighting audiences with A Night to Remember, following last year’s sell-out Licence to Thrill tour.
11) Irish trio, The Script will be doing a UK arena tour in 2015, playing at the BIC in March, and will be joined by a very special guest, Labrinth. The tour follows the release of their fourth album, ‘No Sound Without Silence’.
April
12) Everyone’s favourite fox, Basil Brush, will be appearing at the Regent Centre in April to charm theatregoers of all ages.
13) Comedian Paul Merton will be gracing the Pavilion stage with his ‘Impro Chums’: Mike McShane, Lee Simpson, Richard Vranch, and Suki Webster to create a new and unique comedy show based entirely on suggestions from the audience.
14) Six-piece supergroup McBusted will be performing all their hits at the BIC.
15) British illusionist, mentalist and trickster, Derren Brown will be performing a new show, The Miracle in April at the BIC.
May
16) Dorset becomes comedy central in May, as Alan Carr brings his stand-up Yap, Yap, Yap tour to Lighthouse, Poole
17) Dara O’Briain takes to the Bournemouth Pavilion stage
18) Newly reformed pop powerhouse S Club 7 bring their Bring It All Back arena tour to the BIC the same month.
19) The Bournemouth Wheels Festival 2015 will be on for the second year running, with three days of BMX stunts, Monster Truck parades, and even a Pier jump.
20) Bournemouth 7s Festival is the largest sport and music festival in the world and takes place every year on the last Bank Holiday weekend in May. Launched in 2008, the Festival hosts over 300 teams in an action packed weekend full of Rugby 7s, Netball 7s, Hockey 7s and Dodgeball.
June
21) Watch Brian Conley take to the high wire as he stars in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Barnum at the Mayflower in Southampton during June.
22) The Overtones make an appearance at Bournemouth’s Pavilion.
23) Tony Award-winning singer and actress, Idina Menzel follows the release of her festive album, Christmas Wishes with the confirmation of her biggest UK and Ireland tour to date. Menzel will perform at the BIC, singing songs including Frozen’s Oscar-winning Let It Go.
July
24) Swanage Carnival 2015 is the one of the South Coast’s summer highlight events. During the week, Swanage will be hosting a two mile carnival procession with live music, three firework displays, art competitions, a talent show, treasure hunts, parachute jumps, and more.
25) Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood gets nasty as Miss Hannigan in Annie in July at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre.
26) Firm family favourite Shrek comes to the same theatre.
27) Over in Bournemouth, Gladys Knight will be appearing at the BIC.
28) Bournemouth’s Pier to Pier charity swim will see hundreds brave the English Channel in this incredible 1.4 mile open water swim from Bournemouth to Boscombe Pier.
August
29) The Thai Summer Festival will feature classical Thai dancing and musical performances, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), fruits carving, Thai massage, and stalls selling toys, crafts, clothes, and luxurious hand-woven Thai silk. Visitors can also choose from an assortment of delicacies from London and south England’s best Thai eateries.
30) One of Bournemouth’s most highly-anticipated annual events: The Bournemouth Air Festival features amazing aeronautical displays from pilots and their jets, helicopters and other aircraft.
31) Michael McIntyre returns with his hotly-anticipated new show Happy & Glorious, taking in a night at the BIC in August – not to be missed.
September
32) Many events are yet to be announced for the autumn months, but The Drifters will be appearing at the Pavilion in September.
October
33) Comedian Dave Gorman will be taking to the Lighthouse stage in October.
34) The annual Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival celebrates the diversity and creativity of Bournemouth’s art scene with a series of exhibitions situated around the town.
35) Another big autumn event is the Bournemouth Marathon Festival, which will put on a series of running events, including a full marathon, half marathon, supersonic 10k, speed of light 5k and two junior races.
November
36) Dance group Diversity are booked in at the BIC in November for their 2015 Up Close and Personal tour.
37) Bournemouth’s Town Centre will be embracing the Christmas spirit with their annual Christmas Market featuring stalls, animated figures, decorations, and festive events all in one place.
December
38) Gareth Malone will be bringing his Voices choir to the BIC in December.
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