Thriller Tour - Thriller Live will embark on a UK tour in October, as the West End production of the show undergoes a creative overhaul. The London run of the Michael Jackson production will have four new songs added, and will have new video film sequences and visual effects. The tour opens the Blackpool Grand Theatre on 5 October and visits venues including the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury and the Opera House in Manchester. It is touring until July next year, with venues beyond March yet to be confirmed.
Flower of Scotland - Taylor Swift declared to fans at the start of her 1989 world tour in Glasgow: "I am one of you". The US star told the sell-out crowd at the SSE Hydro her father had instructed her by email to speak about her Scottish heritage. The 25-year-old said, "In the subject line it said 'Tell Scotland this' and in the email he said our whole family is from Scotland and you have to tell them that." After performing Blank Space, during which she swung a golf iron on stage, she added: "I happen to love Scottish people, personally."
Potter's Progress - Harry Potter is to make his theatre debut in London next year, his creator JK Rowling has revealed. The blockbusting author took to Twitter to announce the return of the famous boy wizard in a stage production called Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. The play, which will open next summer, is the result of a collaboration between herself, writer Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany.Rowling made the announcement on the 18th anniversary of the UK publication of her debut novel and the first in the Harry Potter series - Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone.
Farewell - Chris Squire, the bass guitarist and co-founder of British progressive rock band Yes, has died, says the band. He was 67. Squire, who appeared on each of the band's 21 studio albums, passed away overnight in his adopted hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, according to a statement. With his trademark Rickenbacker 4001 bass, he was widely hailed as the leading bass guitarist of his genre in the early 1970s. "It's with the heaviest of hearts and unbearable sadness that we must inform you of the passing of our dear friend and Yes co-founder, Chris Squire," the band said in a statement on its Facebook page.
(Jim Evans)
