UK Theatre Network

Kenneth H Wax Ltd and Kennedy Street Enterprises Present

KERRY ELLIS & BRIAN MAY

ANTHEMS: THE TOUR

KICKING OFF IN LIVERPOOL ON TUESDAY 3^RD MAY 2011

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 18^TH FEBRUARY 2011

ANTHEMS: The Tour is the exciting new live touring version of Anthems, the musical Rock Goddess Kerry Ellis’ stunning 2010 hit debut album produced by and co-starring Queen legend Brian May.

After the phenomenal success of the forthcoming sell-out charity show, Anthems: The Concert, at London’s Royal Albert Hall in May 2011 and the launch of Kerry & Brian’s forthcoming single Defying Gravity (released 20^th March), it is today announced that Kerry & Brian will be taking their majestic show on the road across the UK. Anthems: The Tour promises to impress and entertain audiences with its fusion of rock and musical theatre anthems from shows such as WICKED, CHESS and WE WILL ROCK YOU, making it the ultimate experience for any rock lover.

The 12-date tour, which starts on 3^rd May at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall, will electrify audiences with Queen guitarist and rock superstar Brian May performing new arrangements of the favourite songs he has specially chosen to be sung by Kerry, accompanying her on both guitar and vocals.

Brian May says: “Kerry Ellis is now acknowledged as a phenomenon, equally at home in Musical Theatre and Rock.  I was convinced from the moment we worked together on We Will Rock You nine years ago, that she was destined to be a worldwide star.  The challenge was to develop songs and arrangements to allow that amazing voice to reach its true potential.”

Anthems: The Tour follows a series of acclaimed performances by Kerry & Brian. They stole the show when they performed together on the Royal Variety Show in 2008, they performed live together again at BBC Proms in the Park and at last year’s The Night of 1000 Voices, and most recently, they opened the Remembrance Day concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

The announcement of Anthems: The Tour comes as Kerry & Brian are about to launch a pounding club remix of ‘Defying Gravity’ - the lead track from the musical, Wicked, and a standout song on Kerry's debut album.

The mix, which is released on 20^th March, comes from the people behind the world's most high profile gay club, London's G-A-Y.  In its 18 years, the club has hosted performances from some of the world's biggest artists, including Madonna, Kylie, Mariah Carey, Pink and Katy Perry. This is the first time they have turned their hands to remixing. "We've been looking for the right artist and the right song” says club founder, Jeremy Joseph, "and ‘Defying Gravity’ is one of my all-time favourite songs. When Kerry performed the track at G-A-Y and the crowd went ballistic, I knew this was the one."

Tickets for the tour will be on sale from Friday 18^th February 2011.

What The Press Say:

Daily Express

“Big voice, big production, big numbers!”

The Sun

“Ellis’ huge voice and May’s scorching guitar riffs pack enough energy to blow the roof off”

Woman

“This debut album is a real showstopper – a fusion of rock-meets-musical.”

Full UK Tour Dates

Tuesday 3^rd May 2011              Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 

Thursday 5^th May 2011            Gateshead Sage
Friday 6^th May 2011                   Sheffield City Hall 
Sunday 8^th May 2011                 Nottingham Royal Centre                    Monday 9^th May 2011               Birmingham Symphony Hall               Wednesday 11^th May 2011      Edinburgh Festival Theatre                  Thursday 12^th May 2011          Glasgow Royal Concert Hall                Saturday 14^th May 2011           Cardiff St. David’s Hall           
Monday 16^th May 2011              Manchester Bridgewater Hall               Wednesday 18^th May 2011       Milton Keynes Theatre                        Thursday 19^th May 2011           Southend Cliffs Pavilion                      Saturday 21^st May 2011              Bath Forum       
 

Tickets priced between £42.50-£40 (Boxes), £39-£37.50 (Adults) & £35-£29 (Concessions)

To book tickets please call 0844 888 9991

For online bookings please visit www.ticketline.co.uk

·         Kerry Ellis starred in the leading role of Elphaba in WICKED at the Apollo Victoria in the West End and the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway. She played Fantine in LES MISÉRABLES at the Queens Theatre and Ellen in MISS SAIGON on its UK tour. She won widespread acclaim for her performance as Svetlana in the spectacular CHESS IN CONCERT at the Royal Albert Hall. She first met Brian May whilst appearing as Meat in the Queen and Ben Elton musical, WE WILL ROCK YOU at the Dominion Theatre. Most recently, Kerry played Nancy in OLIVER at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

·         Brian May’s legendary compositions and performances for Queen have earned him worldwide acclaim. He has composed such hits as ‘We Will Rock You’. ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’, ‘I Want It All’, ‘Save Me’ and ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’. Queen has released a total of 18 Number One albums, had 18 Number One singles and 10 Number One DVDs. They have sold over 300 million albums worldwide; making them one of the world’s best selling music artistes. Brian was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for ‘Services To The Music Industry’.