This weekend as Newcastle celebrates the Festival of Flight, the Newcastle Summer Season celebrates the life and work of the songwriter that made the town famous, with the return of Percy French – The Last Troubadour presented by the Donard Theatre Group and Newcastle Glee Singers on Friday 8 August at 8pm.
“Percy French – The Last Troubadour“, which was enthusiastically received by a sell-out crowd last summer in Newcastle, takes us on a journey through the life and times of Percy French, showcasing some of his most well-known and best loved songs. Audiences should expect to hear favourites such as Phil the Fluter’s Ball, Come Back Paddy Reilly and of course, The Mountains of Mourne, inspired by Newcastle’s magnificent mountain view.
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Eamonn McMullan, Careen Starkey and Bridin Wells ready for The Last Troubador performance in Newcastle[/caption]
Percy French is acknowledged to be one of Ireland’s finest songwriters, but he was also a talented artist, journalist and writer of many fine poems and humorous skits. He was a man in touch with all of human emotion. We laugh at the frustration of those travelling on Ireland’s most inefficient train service in, Are Ye Right There Michael, and it is difficult not to feel the sadness of a young emigrant leaving home, perhaps forever, and longing to be back in Donegal in the poignant, Emigrant’s Letter . Almost 150 years after his death, Percy French’s writing is still as fresh and entertaining as ever, guaranteeing an entertaining and evocative evening of poetry, story and song.
Dates for your diary: Don’t forget to book your tickets for the final two weekends of the Newcastle Summer Season Live Event Programme – on Friday 15 & Saturday 16 August The Southbank Playhouse present Oscar Wilde’s classic dissection of public and private morality, An Ideal Husband; on Friday 22 August don’t miss Ireland’s best Abba tribute band, The Bjorn Identity and on Saturday 23 August Balkan Alien Sound round off the season with a high-octane night of incredible Gypsy and Balkan songs and dances.
To purchase tickets (Percy French – The Last Troubadour £10 / £8) and for further information on any Down Arts Centre events, please contact the box office on 028 4461 0747.
The complete Down Arts Centre Season Programme is available to download at:
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