Al Martino UK Tour

Mark Fox · Post by **Mark Fox** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:20 am

H&L-remind me(& those here)is Al due here soon?

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:49 pm

Al Martino certainly is here in February Mark....... the dates and venues..
NIDD HALL ...HARROGATE..... Warners Holidays 10th Feb
LITTLECOTE... WILTS........... Warners Holidays 11th ....
WORTHING (Assembley Hall ) Sussex. ....... 12th......
CLIFFS PAVILLION... Southend ......... 14TH....
CROYDEN ... (Fairfield Halls) ... 15th....
DUDLEY .... ( Town Hall ) ...... 17th...
ST ALBANS....... (The Arena)..... Herts .. 18th
LIVERPOOL.... (Philharmonic hall).... 19th ..
RHYL... Pavillion Theatre.. 20th....
NEWCASTLE ... ( City Hall... 22nd...

john · Post by **john** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:29 pm

And we can't wait, can we, Lena and Harry?

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:06 pm

No we can't John.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:12 pm

How do you feel about these great singers appearing in Warners' venues?
Jack Jones went to Hayling Island too. I can't help feeling uncomfortable about it. I believe they deserve more prestigious venues, with proper theatre audiences.

Marian.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:59 pm

Yes we agree Marian and understand exactly what you are saying, considering that here are stars of International fame who are used to appearing in lush clubs and venues in cities such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City. New York etc. It seems some how a lack of respect on the promotors part for stars of this calibre.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:57 am

That is exactly what I mean Lena and Harry. When JJ appeared at Sinah Warren during his last tour, we didn't go, but a friend did, and she said there was a lot of pushing and shoving in the queue waiting to go in to see the entertainment, then a great rush to get a table near the front..
We've not actually stayed at a Warner's Hotel for a weekend break, but we did visit friends during their stay and went in with them for the entertainment. It just seemed there were many people who couldn't care less who was appearing and just spent the evening talking and drinking.
I know Gerard Kenny appears regularly and seems to enjoy these venues, and that Matt Jnr is at Gunton Hall on the weekend of 3rd of February, but he's young and know what to expect! Hopefully!!

Marian

john · Post by **john** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:38 am

I agree as well to this comment, Marian. When he appeared 2 years ago one of the venues was Southport Theatre, that was where we saw him, it isn't very large and not what I would call grand, though it was packed out, deservedly so, and I noted this time as well there were a number of smaller theatres. Saying that though, we are seeing him at the Liverpool Philharmonic and I've been told this is a beautiful venue, and I's sure places like The Cliffs Pavillion are pretty grand too. I would go and see him on Blackpool North Pier if I had to.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:04 pm

I have to say that I really do not like these Huge arenas--Wembley.MENA, NEC etc---but I suppose these places can pack many more people in. Its Ok if you are near the front.

Personally the nicest and most comfortable venue that I have ever seen JM in, was Wembley Conference Centre--just beautiful.

But when I was at Wembley arena last year, I was horrified to see that the Conference centre is being pulled down !!!

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:40 pm

I enjoyed Shirley Bassey's performances at the Royal Festival Hall. The size of the hall was just right and the ambience was outstanding.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:22 pm

We haven't booked either of the Warners venues, but not because we have anything against Warners Holidays. We have had some fantastic holidays at these centres and they have moved with the times and have become quite up-market. Accomodation,Food, entertainment, excellent, but we like to see these stars in the appropriate setting, but as John has said he would go to see Al on Blackpool North Pier if he had to which is a fair comment.
We have to say that we were at Blackpool Empire Theatre Three years ago when Al appeared there. We hadn't experienced being in an atmosphere like that for many years. The reception from the entire audience was unbelievable. He told the audience that it was 52 years when he first stood on that very stage. The place erupted with everyone on their feet and most of them for the whole night. It was the same at Southport. Wonderful crowds.

Terence the Festival Hall is quite an acceptable venue. We saw Tony Bennett there a couple of years ago.
Marian, it seems a great pity that Wembley Conference Centre is to be demolished one often wonders why.

john · Post by **john** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:47 pm

Have you decided if you are going to Liverpool yet, Lena and Harry?

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:46 pm

Is Warner a hotel chain? Or is it a week-end break with planned activities and all food included? Are there age restrictions? Can you see the show without staying at the hotel?

Also, I thought Wembley was a football stadium. Is it actually an enclosed concert hall? (I'm asking because I would like to see Muse there, but I don't want to be in a huge stadium.)

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:44 pm

Hi Paul,
Warners is a holiday chain of mostly old notable buildings of the past across the U.K. which provide weekend and midweek breaks for adults only. They are generally great and interesting venues. They include accommodation, inclusive food and evening entertainment.
I don't want you to get me wrong here, I have nothing against Warner's and their type of holiday, which are excellent. I'm just concerned that International Stars might never have experienced this kind of venue. The audience are in very close proximity and I should think, maybe wrongly, that it would be impossible to do a complete stage performance, as in a theatre.
It is also not possible to attend a "Star Break" performance without booking for at least three days in the hotel - this can prove costly.

Marian.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:02 pm

Hi Paul---yes the Wembley set up is confusing. The New Wembley Stadium for football, that is still being worked on looked very impressive, from where I could see it--but absolutely massive.

Wembley Arena--where the concerts are held is a huge massive place--it has recently been revamped and it looks good inside and out---floodlit fountains ,and lights in the trees outside--and inside the arena--[not the seating area] is a lot smarter.

But the seats in the arena were so uncomfortable--at over Â£50.00 a ticket and sitting in a tip -up seat that was as hard as iron for over 2 hours was not much fun !! Apart from seeing JM of course!! Especially as I was in the front row, right under the mike, with some help from a French Friend.

At least in the MENA although the seats were tip-up, at least they were cushioned and comfortable.

Another drawback with these places, is that no sooner is the show over, and they are rushing you out, and dismantling all the seats almost before there is time to get up.

But the whole of that area is being regenerated---even the Station {Wembley Park}--used to be a funny little place--you could almost miss it, if you were passing it--but now it is a huge and modern station--although still being worked on when I was there. As far as I can gather,from my taxi driver they are building more shops & hotels, maybe another Conference Centre. It needed something doing , as Wembley was severeley lacking in facilities apart from the Stadium and Arena.