Tim Minchin to headline festival (From Daily Echo)

Tim Minchin to headline festival

2:38pm Monday 20th February 2012 in Entertainments By Lorelei Reddin, Entertainments Editor

TIM Minchin brings his unique brand of musical comedy as he headlines Larmer Tree Festival’s comedy line up this summer.

Enjoy his back catalogue of hilarious, scathing and unsettlingly lovely songs.

Tim is well-known for his iconic dance moves, wildly teased hair, and enormous sense of occasion.

He has made appearances on TV shows such as the BBC’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Genius and Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, as well as BBC Radio 2’s comedy sitcom Strings and BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage.

Tim has performed sell-out shows across the UK and recently toured with the 55- THE ninth UK tour of Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story arrives at the Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

This is the poignant and moving story of Washingtonborn singer Eva Cassidy.

At the time of her death, she was virtually unknown, but within four years she had been discovered by Terry Wogan and her haunting interpretation of Somewhere Over The Rainbow topped the chart.

This sad but uplifting musical play journeys through her life, from her idyllic childhood growing up in a musical family, to her studio work with boyfriend and mentor Chris Biondo; to the exuberant live recording of Blues Alley and finally to her tragically premature death at the age of 33.

Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks) stars as Eva Cassidy, Pauline Fleming (Coronation Street; Brookside) as Barbara Cassidy, and Rob McVeigh (PopStar! The Musical; Any Dream Will Do) as Danny Cassidy, whilst accomplished West End actor Robert Grose (The Lion King; Starlight Express & Five Guys Named Moe) plays larger-than-life legendary music mogul, Chuck Brown.

IT was a late toast to their Curtain Call success.

Many members of Maskers Theatre Company had been on stage performing The Graduate while the coveted Daily Echo awards for amateur dramatics were announced.

So they held another black tie party, at their studio in Shirley, for all to enjoy after scooping an impressive nine awards.

Nominated in 15 categories, Maskers were the most successful company overall, with the single most decorated pro-duction – Uncle Vanya which won best director, costumes, best actor, actress and supporting actress.

The company also won the coveted Production of the Year for Treasure Island.

The party celebrated all five productions produced during 2011 with fun prizes and amusing acceptance speeches.

Mary and Pete Hamilton.

Echo pictures by Chris Moorhouse.

Order no: 13930204 Ella Lockett, Graham and Gill Buchanan and Avril Woodward.

Order no: 13930208 Matt Avery, Rachael Courage, Serena Brown and Ken Hann.

Order no: 13930212 Paul Baker, Chris Baker, Johnny Carrington and Angela and Brian Stansbridge.

Order no: 13930216 Jo Russel, Richard Martin and Jo Welch. Order no: 13930221 Marcus Bailey and Suze Avery. Order no: 13930223 Moving story of Eva Cassidy takes to stage piece Heritage Orchestra performing his biggest live show culminating in two nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Jools Holland and Levellers are among the other impressive acts confirmed for July 11 to 15 at the stunning Victorian Larmer Tree Gardens, near Salisbury.