Preview: Dolly Mixtures at South Shields Customs House

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Cast & Crew Gear Up for

Premiere of Heart-Felt Musical

Dolly Mixtures

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 24^th August - Saturday 3^rd September 2016

The team behind a heart-warming new musical are gearing up for its premiere this week.

Tom Kelly, Ray Spencer & John Miles

The Dolly Mixtures tells the true story of a group of eight women who set up a variety group and raised a massive £100,000 when one of their husbands’ was diagnosed with cancer and opens at The Customs House in South Shields on Wednesday 24^th August.

The cast have been hard at work to make sure the show, written by award-winning playwright and poet Tom Kelly and music star John Miles, is a fitting tribute to these incredible women.

Director Ray Spencer said: “The whole team is amazing, but they always had to be to be able tell The Dolly Mixtures’ story. I’ve worked with Tom and John on three previous musicals and they have this real ability to touch the heart.  On this occasion I’ve also worked with the gifted Mina Anwar as assistant director & choreographer and Dave Bintley as musical director. Together, with an exceptional cast, they have produced a truly special show.”

Mina, who is best known as PC Maggie Habib in BBC sitcom The Thin Blue Line, added: "I am so proud and honoured to be invited by Ray to be choreographer and assistant director for this wonderful musical. It’s such a heart-warming story, which we hope everyone will enjoy.  The cast, crew and creatives have worked so hard to bring to The Customs House a glorious tribute to the real Dolly Mixtures. This is for them."

Along with Mina and Dave, also working behind the scenes are long-time panto costume designer Paul Shriek, lighting designer John Rainsforth, set designer David Wilkinson, make-up & hair designer Karen Cummings.

The cast include well-known local actors and recognisable names and faces from the stage and screen, they are: Sarah Boulter, Christina Dawson, Kylie Ann Ford, Steve Halliday, Angela Hannon, Victoria Holtom, Samantha Phyllis Morris, Georgia Nicholson and Patricia L Whale.

The Dolly Mixtures performed in the male dominated social clubs of the North East in the 1970s and 1980s, while juggling kids and full time jobs, with all the funds going straight to cancer research. Collections on behalf of the Dolly Mixtures will be made in aid of Cancer Research at the end of each show.

The Dolly Mixtures runs from Wednesday 24^th August to Saturday 3^rd September 2016 and follows last summer’s smash hit Geordie the Musical, also written by Tom Kelly (Geordie Musical NETG Review LINK).

Tickets:

Tickets are from £15 and for more information or to book tickets, go to www.customshouse.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 454 1234.