“Across the Pond: The British Invasion to play in Stirling” The Intelligencer
Leisa Way, centre, stands alongside members of the Wayward Wind Band in full costume for their Across the Pond: The British Invasion concert. Submitted
The smash hit concert, Across the Pond: The British Invasion, lands in Stirling at the Stirling Festival Theatre on Saturday, March 4 with two showings to celebrate 50 years of British musical invasion from the hits of the 60’s to today’s favourites.
In 1964, something magical happened that changed the world of music. After The Beatles’ electrifying appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, Beatlemania and the popularity of British music spread rapidly across the US and North America. The Invasion never really ended.
An all-star Canadian cast of award-winning musicians, under the direction of Academy Award nominated composer and musical director, Bruce Ley, captures the magic of the British invasion. Across the Pond salutes such musical royalty as: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Petula Clark, Tom Jones, Queen, Rod Stewart, Herman’s Hermits, Adele, The Dave Clark Five, Shirley Bassey, Elvis Costello, The Who, Gerry & the Pacemakers, The Animals, Dusty Springfield, Eric Clapton, The Troggs, Van Morrison, Sting & The Police; Annie Lennox, Joe Cocker, Lulu, The Hollies, Donovan, Cilla Black, Peter & Gordon; The Kinks, Mary Hopkins, George Michael, Spencer Davis Group, Manfred Mann, The Swinging Blue Jeans, and more!
Across the Pond tells fascinating stories of how the Rolling Stones were banned from The Ed Sullivan show, of the day Tom Jones passed out singing the James Bond Theme Thunderball, Petula Clark and Dusty Springfield’s impact on racial equality, and how Van Morrison nearly blew up his parents house with his first PA. The concert shares stories with audiences, such as how The Kinks created the now famous distortion of the electric guitar, how artists like Donovan created the first psychedelic music, and fun facts about 60’s fashion, including the poster girl for the mini-skirt, Twiggy.
The show’s creator, Leisa Way, also stars in the show, treating the audience to 12 costume and wig changes as she embodies an array of musical legends. Way has enjoyed a career that has taken her all over the world. She formed Way-To-Go Productions 15 years ago and has enjoyed phenomenal success with the 12 concerts she has created, including Sweet Dreams (Patsy Cline), Country Jukebox (duets), Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot), Rhinestone Cowgirl (Dolly Parton), Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell), Opry Gold, Rock n’ Roll is Here to Stay and Oh, Canada, which thrilled audiences across the country on their 44-city Canada 150 tour in 2017.
The Wayward Wind Band and singers joining Way for this production are outstandingly talented multi-instrumentalists. Fred Smith has performed with the likes of Vince Gill, Chuck Berry, The Supremes, The Drifters, and The Mamas & The Papas; Bobby Prochaska (Toronto) is a Broadway veteran (Buddy Holly & original production of Crazy For You (Royal Alex); rock fiddler Nathan Smith of The Barrel Boys fame (nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award); pianist Bruce Ley was The Tommy Hunter Show pianist, and his bandmates once opened for The Rolling Stones; and drummer Don Reid (Collingwood) is a versatile percussionist who is a producer & writer for video, radio & television, and has played with orchestras and theatrical productions across the country.
Put on your dancing shoes and join Way and The Wayward Wind Band for a fun night of the greatest hits from the British invasion. Across the Pond: The British Invasion sets down at the Stirling Festival Theatre on Saturday, March 4 for two performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.