FANS INVITED TO SEE STING AND A GALAXY OF STARS ON TYNESIDE

FANS INVITED TO SEE STING 

AND A GALAXY OF STARS ON TYNESIDE…

CELEBRITY spotters will get a chance to see some of TV and music’s biggest names at a glittering, red carpet event next week (20 March).

A host of famous faces are set to attend a special, gala performance of Sting’s play The Last Ship at Newcastle’s Northern Stage on Tuesday 20 March.

And fans can be there to watch as Sting himself is joined by some of the region’s best loved stars on the red carpet.

Among those attending are Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson and Nick Baines, presenter Jeremy Kyle and golfer Lee Westwood along with homegrown stars such as Denise Welch, Alan Shearer, Joe McElderry and Hairy Biker, Si King – and there may be a couple of surprise appearances.

The celebrity audience is set to arrive at the theatre from 6pm and an area has been set y for fans, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourites.

The gala performance is being held in aid of the Graham Wylie Foundation and all funds raised on the night will support the Newcastle-based charity which was formed to ‘help, inspire and educate children across the region.’

“I am incredibly grateful that some of the greatest talents this region has ever produced are giving up their time to attend the premiere and support the Foundation,” said Graham Wylie.      

“It promises to be a spectacular night to rival anything the West End of London can offer in terms of glamour and I hope as many people as possible will come along to welcome them.”

The charity has built the first Nordoff Robbins music therapy centre outside London, at the Matron’s Lodge of the former Fleming Hospital – and Sting and Ricky Wilson will officially declare it open the following morning, Wednesday 21 March.

"Music has been the most important part of my life, ever since I was a young boy growing up on Tyneside,” said Sting.

“I truly believe that access to music, in its many forms, can benefit and support everyone, giving them the chance to discover a life-long love.

“It's great to see a music therapy centre coming to the North East funded by the Graham Wylie Foundation to support the important work of Nordoff Robbins.”

The musical tells the story of a group of North East shipyard workers who, faced with the closure of their yard, decide to build and launch their own great vessel and stars Emmerdale’s Charlie Hardwick, stage and screen actor Joe McGann and former Coronation Street actor Richard Fleeshman.

A proportion of the money raised on the night will also go to support FACT – Fighting All Cancers Together.