Variety the spice of life at Riverside

Children

Scotland’s premier puppet company, Clydebuilt Puppets, is returning to the Riverside with its brand new production of the magic fairy tale for young children, Rapunzel.

There’s just one performance of the show, on Wednesday, May 15 at 11am in the main auditorium. Narrated by a wonderful frog, this fun adaptation has all the elements of a traditional tale…the witch, the beautiful girl locked in a tall tower and, of course, the handsome prince who attempts to save Rapunzel.

And with specially recorded music, beautifully made, rod puppets, and Steve Smart’s masterly puppetry skills, this is a show that has been hugely enjoyed by adults and children alike all over Ireland and the UK.

Comedy

Riverside is hosting a tribute to one of BBC TV’s most loved and popular shows of the 1980s, ‘Allo ‘Allo, on Saturday, May 18, at 8pm, The stage version follows the adventures of René, the hapless café owner in war-torn occupied France, as he and his wife, Edith, struggle to keep for themselves a priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis and endeavour to repatriate two British airmen with the help of the Resistance.

The Führer is due to visit the town. And René will need all the wit he can muster to save his café and his life!

If you loved the television series you will love the stage show. Featuring all your favourite characters including Gruber, Officer Crabtree, Yvette, Mimi, Herr Flick, Helga, Michelle – and of course, René, The show is a Riverside debut for one of Northern Ireland’s newest theatre companies, Showcase Productions, based in Belfast.

Music

Another brilliant artiste making a welcome return to Coleraine is Albert Lee, together with his fabulous backing band, Hogan’s Heroes. They’ll appear on stage, for one night only, on Wednesday, May 22 at 8pm.

Albert Lee has worked with some of the world’s top artists, from Emmylou Harris to the Everly Brothers, Dolly Parton to Eric Clapton. In November 2002, at Eric’s request, Albert appeared at the star-studded Memorial Concert for George Harrison at London’s Albert Hall, and was featured alongside Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill and Eric Clapton at Eric’s 2007 and 2010 Crossroads guitar festival.

He is a double Grammy award winning musician, whose talents continue to be in demand by fellow performers the world throughout. Albert will be on stage in Riverside with the sensational Hogan’s Heroes – and Riverside is doubly-delighted to welcome back this evening of brilliant music for purists!

Variety

And for something completely different Riverside invites you to his first visit to the theatre – television’s spiritualist medium Derek Acorah on Thursday, May 23 at 8pm.

Given the very nature of this controversial subject, it is of course important to be insightful and accurate as well as to be able to communicate. However to fill theatres across the land requires not just these talents but also the ability to entertain. It requires a sensitive delivery and a warmth, so often absent from less accomplished practitioners.

Derek’s sincere and friendly approach marks him out as someone very special as he continues to bring help and support to so many.

Tickets for all these events can be purchased online at www.riversidetheatre.org.uk or by calling the Riverside’s Box Office Manager, Louise, on Coleraine (02870) 123 123.