Musical celebrating the life of Dusty Springfield comes to Devon
A new musical stage show celebrating the life and music of the legendary Dusty Springfield and the pop stars of the Sixties comes to Exmouth Pavilion in March.
Dusty and the Shades of the 60s stars singer and actress Emily Clark with the singing trio The Shades, this pop-filled show, which tours the UK from March 2018, is dedicated to the invention of pop music, the songs and the stars of the 60s.
Dusty Springfield’s string of smash hits began on January 1st, 1964 when she performed I Only Want to be with You on the BBC’s new TV programme ‘Top of the Pops’. It was closely followed by You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, Son of a Preacher Man, I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself and You Don’t Own Me. All these songs and more will be performed in the show when Dusty and the Shades will take audiences on a music-filled journey featuring the songs, artists and songwriters who worked with Dusty over a stellar 35 year career.
The cast will perform a roster of Dusty hits written by Burt Bacharach, Carole King and others including Say A Little Prayer, Downtown, Natural Woman and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough which was a huge hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967. Dusty was a powerhouse singer and a style beacon; her blonde beehive up-do and black eyeliner inspired millions of teenage girls, while her soulful voice and clever choice of material gained her legions of followers here and in the US.
'Dusty and the Shades of the 60s’ is produced by Red Entertainment, the fast-rising company who produced one of 2017’s most successful tours, ‘Cilla and the Shades of the 60s’.
Says Red Entertainment Executive Producer Matt Brinkler: “I’m a huge fan of Dusty Springfield and have created this show around her own catalogue of smash hits and those by many of the great singers and songwriters of the day. At Red Entertainment we’re extremely proud of the ‘Shades’ brand which we launched with ’Cilla and the Shades of the 60s’ in 2017. ‘Cilla’ went down a treat with audiences all over the UK and I’m confident ‘Dusty’ will be just as popular. I think ‘Dusty and the Shades of the 60s’ will lead audiences to re-discover Dusty and the music of her fellow artists – there will be people who remember the hits from the first time around and those who will know many of the songs from the radio or movie soundtracks. ‘Dusty’ is perfect entertainment for pop music fans and families – it’s a truly fun, easy, entertaining night out.”
Says Emily Clark: “Ever since I could speak I’ve wanted to sing professionally and, being a huge fan of the music of the 60s, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to pay homage to one of the greatest singers of that time as well as the writers of some legendary songs. Dusty was an amazing woman, personally and professionally and I hope the Shades and I will be doing her proud!”
Dusty Springfield, her brother Tom and their friend Tim Field performed as The Springfields in the late 1950s when Dusty was still in her teens. The trio quickly became Britain’s top pop act so when Dusty decided to leave the group to go solo, she already had a following. From 1964 to the late 1970s Dusty enjoyed chart toppers in the UK and US and won numerous Top Female Vocalist awards. In the 1980s she had another run of success via her work with the Pet Shop Boys with the smash hit single What Have I Done To Deserve This? and Nothing Has Been Proved for the film ‘Scandal’. Dusty’s final live performance was on Michael Ball’s Christmas show in 1995.
DUSTY AND THE SHADES OF THE 60S
Sunday 4 March, Exmouth Pavilion
Tickets: £18.50
Box office: 01395 222477
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