Previous Acts Who Have Performed at Scarborough OAT

2012

 

Dionne Warwick

 

Dionne Warwick, who began singing professionally in 1961 after being discovered by the young song writing team, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, has enjoyed a glittering music career and has a clutch of Grammy awards to her name, not to mention more than 100 million record sales. She is second only to Aretha Franklin among female vocalists with the most Billboard Hot 100 chart hits during the rock era (1955–1999) with 56. In all, Warwick, who has also enjoyed film and television success, has released 35 studio albums, five live albums, 22 compilation albums and 85 singles. In the UK, her highest charting studio album came with Heartbreaker which reached number three – the title track of the same name also reached number two in the UK singles charts. Throughout the 80s and 90s, she collaborated with many of her musical peers, including Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, Kashif and Stevie Wonder.

 

Dionne performed to the Open Air Theatre crowd on the 6th June 2012. Fortunately, although the UK was experiencing record rainfalls for this particular time of the year, the rain decided to hold-off until Dionne, sporting her 'slacks', had sang a medley of songs that ensured her adoring fans went home with smiles from ear to ear.

 

 

John Barrowman

 

John Barrowman is an Entertainer with a capital E. Voted number 3 in Broadcast Magazine’s Hot 100 Talent, he sings, he dances, he acts, he presents, he judges - he is a unique talent in the British entertainment industry.

 

In November 2007 John’s solo album 'Another Side' was released by Sony Music and went Gold. In November 2008 Sony’s Epic label released Music Music Music. John's third album with Sony John Barrowman was released in March 2010 and entered the UK Album charts at number 11. His latest album The Best of John Barrowman was released in 2011.

 

John undertook a sell out solo UK concert tour in April 2008. In May 2009 he undertook a second UK concert tour, culminating in one night at the Royal Albert Hall. A Live DVD of this concert tour was released and went straight into the music DVD charts at number 2. John completed another tour of the UK in 2010 and his DVD John Barrowman Live At The Royal Albert Hall is on sale now. He completed his forth UK tour in 2011.

 

For 2012, Barrowman performed a series of Summer Concerts against the backdrop of some of the UK's most iconic landmarks and attractions, including gigs in Glasgow and London. On Thursday 21st June 2012, he kicked-off his summer programme with a concert at our very own Open Air Theatre in sunny Scarborough. The gig was packed with families and friends all having a great time, singing and dancing along to his variety show, yes it was tongue in cheek glitz at it's finest but few modern stars can engage with their audience so easily and effectively as John Barrowman did that night.

 

 

Olly Murs

 

Essex boy Olly Murs shot to fame after coming runner-up in the sixth series of The X Factor, with his first solo single, Please Don’t Let Me Go, debuting at number one in the charts in August 2010. He’d previously scored a number one hit with You Are Not Alone with other finalists from the TV talent show. Murs cemented his place among pop music’s elite with more number one hits and albums including In Case You Didn’t Know which also entered the charts at number one. He returned to The X Factor fold last year to co-present The Xtra Factor.

 

Supported by the 20-year-old X Factor star Diana Vickers, the pair performed to a sold out crowd at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Sunday 15th July. Thankfully, the sun was shining down on the Yorkshire Coast and as the star took to the stage, the town went wild for Olly with cheers heard as far away as the town centre!

 

The Essex star was obviously a fan of the region and even tweeted during his rehearsals: "Loving the 'Welcome to SCARBADOS' tweets ... Its a pleasure to be here!!" The singer went one step further as well by making a local 11-year-old's dream come true. Alethea, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 3 months old, was overwhelmed when the team at Yorkshire Coast Radio, along with sponsors Marshall Honda Scarborough, introduced her to the singer himself backstage and you can watch the moment Alethea met Olly right here.

 

The whole day was a major success for the town and cemented Scarborough's Open Air Theatre as one of the UK's most iconic outdoor venues.

 

 

Russell Watson

 

Russell 'The Voice' Watson - The self styled “People’s Tenor” took to the stage of Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre on Saturday 4 August to a crowd of over 3,000 people.

 

Although, the weather tried to dampen the occasion earlier in the afternoon, fortunately the sun burnt through the dark clouds to ensure an unforgettable evening for all involved.

 

 

Big Night Out

 

A ‘Big Night Out’ featuring stars from The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice took centre stage at Scarborough's Open Air Theatre on Saturday 18th August 2012.

 

The line-up of stars included Marcus Collins and The Risk from The X Factor 2011; Loveable Rogues, The Mend and Scarborough-born Dalek impersonator Martyn Crofts from Britain’s Got Talent 2012; and Jaz Ellington and Max Milner from the BBC's The Voice UK 2012.

 

The show also featured one of the most recognisable voiceover artists in the UK – Peter Dickson who is the voice of The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JLS

 

JLS – aka Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, Jonathan Benjamin “JB” Gill and Marvin Humes performed to a sell-out crowd at Scarborough's Open Air Theatre on Saturday 25 August 2012.

 

As runners-up of the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008, coming second to Alexandra Burke, JLS were described as “the biggest boy band for a generation” leading up to the event, and boy, they did not disappoint!

 

On what was one of the busiest Bank Holiday weekends ever in terms of events for the town, JLS' Sound City Summer Tour took centre-stage. Joined by the likes of I am Tich, Clement Marfo & The Frontline and NVS, the boys performed a faultless set to around 6,500 screaming fans, despite the weather's best efforts to put a dampener on the occasion.

 

 

Free Midweek Entertainment

 

As well as staging some of the world's greatest singers, the Open Air Theatre also layed on some free midweek entertainment for residents and tourists alike with the shows 'Sunshine Showtime with James Aconley & Friends' and 'Family Funtime with Gary T'.

 

In what was billed as family-orientated music and variety, singers James Aconley and Friends performed twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from Monday 23 July until 30 August 2012, with the 'Family Funtime with Gary T' show taking the limelight on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

 

James, who has sung in theatres across the region and has his own cabaret show which he performs in hotels and restaurants, along with his cast, sang songs from Glee, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Michael Buble, Take That, One Direction and Olly Murs, as well as singing iconic British pop and children’s anthems. The shows also featured a selection of community and youth groups, as well as being backed up by dancers from the Scarborough Dance Centre.

 

Gary, whose routine included comedy, song and impressions, inspired by the likes of The Mask, Bob The Builder, Shrek, The Blues Brothers and Jedward, has perfected his acts in holiday centres and other venues around the UK, as well as appearing on several TV shows including ITV’s Classy Acts and Sky’s The All New Variety Show.

 

Throughout the summer run, the 'Family Funtime' show also featured local girl duo, Disctracted, who had previously performed in the theatre for the Olympic Torch celebration in June; and the Hatton School of Performing Arts.

 

Not only did the shows present a great opportunity to showcase young, local talent, they were also a worthy addition to what has been a fabulous 2012 summer line-up for Scarborough's Open Air Theatre.

 

 

2011

 

Elton John

 

In 2011, Scarborough Open Air Theatre was proud to present a full summer of entertainment, kicking off first with none other than Sir Elton John.

 

Playing to a sell out, record crowd in June 2011, Elton John belted out hit after hit to the 8500 strong crowd. The 64-year-old defied the leaden skies to brighten up the venue with a string of massive hits during the two-and-a-half show. And he declared Scarborough a “wonderful” place to perform. He said: “This is my first show of the summer in England and I couldn’t have asked for a better one...Thank you so much Scarborough, it was wonderful to be here...I have played all over the world but never at Scarborough and it has been a blast.”

 

Having flown straight in from an art exhibition in Venice, the pop sensation was dressed in a sparkly black suit, complete with a complimentary purple shirt to complete his look. Without taking a break, the legend sang hits including Candle in The Wind, Your Song, Sacrifice and Crocodile Rock, resulting in the whole crowd taking to their feet and dancing the night away.

 

When the crowd thought it was all over, Sir Elton returned to the stage to perform an encore of Circle of Life and I’m Still Standing, with fans taking over vocals, before signing autographs at the front of the stage.

 

One local fan who saw the whole concert live summed the occasion up nicely saying “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To get someone like him in Scarborough is amazing...The show was just fantastic”

 

 

N-Dubz

 

Fresh from their second sell-out UK tour, global pop sensations N-Dubz took to the stage at Scarborough's Open Air Theatre on Saturday 30th July 2011.

 

In-between being the new judge on X Factor, Tulisa along with bandmates Dappy and Fazer performed a special one-off show that had people of all ages dancing long into the night.

 

This was the first concert at the newly refurbished theatre that was aimed towards the younger generation and without a doubt the event has not only helped the venue attract similar artists but it has also been a source of inspiration for many children up and down the Yorkshire Coast.

 

 

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

 

Last Night of the Proms featuring Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall and The Orchestra of Opera North staged an unmissable night for classical music lovers on 28th August 2011.

 

Introduced by Aled Jones, a beloved TV and Radio personality, the night was deemed a huge success for all involved with the crowd watching in awe, whilst waving Union Jack flags proudly.

 

The night was topped off with a stunning firework display that illuminated the Yorkshire Coast and ensured the season's musical programme was one for people of all ages to remember.