@smileforlifene team up with local entertainers for a fabulous night of fun.

Smiles all Round

The sold-out Tyne Theatre was treated to a show with several acts providing laughs and entertainment for everyone young and old. Hosted by Theatre Royal panto stars Danny Adams and Clive Webb (whom I remember in Tiswas), the show included Nick Celino who, I found out was in the Britain's Got Talent competition, and is now signed to the American Silver Scream label. Not bad for a wee lad from Heaton, with massive hair and a large voice. 

The "Frozen Sisters" and the choirs from St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School and from St Aloysius Primary Federation, provided some Disney-themed music from that film, what's it called?

Comedy came from Lee Ridley the "Lost Voice Guy", a man not afraid to laugh in the face of his physical difficulties with cerebral palsy and with the nerve to stand in front of a big crowd and use an iPad to make them laugh with observational comedy and  his synthesised voice. 

The Twisting Ducks Theatre company expressed using music and a short dramatic piece what it's like to not be offered the same opportunities to learn and develop skills when you have a learning disability. The more I get to hear about this situation, the more I agree. All people have a lot to offer even if they can take more time to learn. 

Danny and Clive and the Cirque Du Hilarious team provided all the funnies, dance, acrobatics and slapstick their panto fans have come to expect, and drew the raffle with some super prizes for lucky winners in the audience.

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Music came from The Waiters who gave their new single "The Party Song" an airing,  and it certainly is a good party number, a canny young band, who are getting noticed by the music industry, good luck to them.

Peculiar Disco Moves won a competition to grab the other musical slot of the evening and treated the Mother's Day audience to their last single "When Your Mother Goes Home" as well as playing the brand new track "Breaking News" to the packed auditorium. The single is out on 30th April,  with a video coming soon so keep an eye on the Jowheretogo twitter for updates,

Chris Cross provided an escapology trick, not before roping in two audience members to help him with the straightjacket. He's a very likeable act, funny and a skilled magician. Look out for him at the Quayside Cabaret Club along with Paul Daniels and the lovely Debbie McGee on the 17th and 18th June, at the Prima Ristorante. 

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It was a splendid way to spend the afternoon and early evening of Mothering Sunday and raised a good amount of money for the superb Smile For Life charity.

We got to hear from Paula Gascoigne the CEO of Smile For Life, about the great work it does enabling young people with various disabilities to have a better quality of life and raise their aspirations. Their young ambassador Tom Lascelles decribed how his life as a teenager with cerebral palsy has changed completely. He now manages the charity's cafe, trains staff and  helps other young people while he studies for his A' levels. The Simle For Life charity and its volunteers deserve a huge thank you for this excellent show and for the work they do. 

You can donate to the charity and find out more about their work on their website,