The producers said that strong sales on more expensive seats allowed them to offer a limited number of £30 tickets throughout the run. "The producers acknowledge the show and the West End itself should not exclude families or anyone who cannot afford the higher priced seats, and have therefore used the incredible sales on the higher prices tickets to offset the cost of the new lower priced seats being introduced at all performances," a statement said.
Under Pressure - Foo Fighters have begun a series of rescheduled gigs in the UK. The band were forced to cancel several dates, including Glastonbury, earlier this year after frontman Dave Grohl shattered his leg falling off stage. "We came back for you!" he declared as Saturday's show began in Milton Keynes. "We waited a long time to be here." Grohl performed the two-and-a-half-hour set from a giant, motorised throne, as his leg continues to heal. The concert, at Milton Keynes Bowl, was the first of two to be moved from London's Wembley Stadium after the star's accident in June.
The band were joined by Queen's Roger Taylor and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones to play Under Pressure. "I don't know if ya'll have ever seen a super group? Well, this is a super-duper group," said Grohl. "Let me just tell you that the Foo Fighters, right now, are living out our rock'n'roll fantasy."
Air Pressure - David Bowie has been named as one of the singers who has signed up to write a song for a new SpongeBob SquarePants musical. Nickelodeon has announced it will produce the show in Chicago next summer. It will also feature songs from John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips, T.I. and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, among others. Producers have called it "a rousing tale of a simple sea sponge who faces the unfathomable. It's a celebration of unbridled hope, unexpected heroes, and pure theatrical invention".
Adios Rico - Rico Rodriguez, trombonist in ska band The Specials has died at the age of 80, the group has announced. Rodriguez was a ska and reggae musician who played with the band on songs including the 1979 hit A Message to You Rudy. Rodriguez was born in Cuba and grew up in Jamaica, before moving to England in the 1960s, according to the Jamaica Observer. Rodriguez performed as a solo artist and worked with many different musicians and producers during a lengthy career, including Prince Buster, Karl Pitterson and Jools Holland in his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. He was made an MBE in 2007 for services to music. Thank you for the music.
Wicked News - West End musical Wicked has extended its booking period until 5 November next year. Following the closure of The 39 Steps, the musical will become the ninth current longest running show in the West End. It is also the 19th longest running show in West End history.
(Jim Evans)
