Piano Man

NEWCASTLE composer, conductor and performer ROSS FIDDES will launch the first in a series of monthly public soirees at PEPPERINA tomorrow night, with a performance of his own works on the venue's new baby grand piano. Fiddes has not only composed piano music (PIANO GAMES on the TALL POPPY label) but has two operas to his credit - ABELARD & HELOISE and THE PROPOSAL. He will be joined at the Bolton St, Newcastle coffee and book shop by well-known singers JENNIFER BARNES, MICHAEL SAUNDERS and FRANCINE BELL. A short scene from the forthcoming YPT production of ROMEO & JULIET will also be played by JOHN RADVAN and ERIN JAMES, featuring music composed by Fiddes.



ROCK ARENA: ANOTHER mega-arena spectacular 'in the round' went on sale this week, for the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Sunday, April 30, from the producers of THE MAIN EVENT. The MUSIC OF TIM RICE, who wrote THE LION KING, EVITA, ALADDIN, CHESS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT, will be led by Rice himself and a full orchestra. Stars confirmed for the concert are INXS, IVA DAVIES, BACHELOR GIRL, DAVID ESSEX, ANTHONY WARLOW and KATE CEBERANO.