Relive the life & times of Cilla Black at the Assembly Hall

FANS of Cilla Black and 60s music are in for a real treat later this month when the smash hit stage show ‘Cilla and the Shades of the 60s’ comes to the Assembly Hall.

Described as the perfect musical stage show for families and pop music fans of all ages, ‘Cilla and the Shades of the 60s’ takes the audience on a musical journey starting with the discovery of the teenage singer, Cilla Black, at Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club and presents many of the biggest hits by artists who changed the world of popular entertainment in the 1960s including Cilla, Dusty, Lulu, Tina Turner, the Beatles and more.

Playing the role of Cilla Black is fellow Liverpudlian Victoria Jones, who has looked up to the iconic star ever since she discovered her on television  in the Eighties. Speaking to the Melksham News, Victoria said,  “The show is a tribute to the wonderful Cilla Black, starting in the 60s at the beginning of her career. There are some really beautiful ballads from this time that I love to sing – they are so full of emotion and heartache.

“We then move on to her career in the 80s, which is what I remember her for, growing up watching her on TV on ‘Blind Date’ and ‘Surprise Surprise’. She was such a fun character to watch, with an amazing personality. To see someone on TV from your home town with the same accent was inspiring, I really related to her.

“It was such an important part of Cilla’s career that we had to acknowledge it, so there are some fun nods to this era. I might even sing the ‘Surprise Surprise’ theme tune!”

Victoria has been performing on stage for many years and was once voted the UK’s best Kylie Minogue tribute act. But it is her love of Sixties music that led to her start performing as Cilla Black. “I have my own show called ‘Liver Bird’ which involves me performing songs from the 60s,” said Victoria. “I just adore the 60s and its music. It had a really raw and special sound that comes across in the music, compared to music these days which is over edited and almost too perfect.

“Having red hair and a Scouse accent I was always getting compared to Cilla, so I decided to incorporate more of a Cilla sound into my show. I’ve probably been performing as Cilla for about 3 to 4 years now.”

Victoria’s tribute to Cilla has received wide critical acclaim, even from those closest to the star. “It feels like everyone in the city has a story about meeting Cilla but unfortunately I didn’t get to meet her. However, I did meet her son Robert who heard me perform. He said I had a really lovely voice.”

Performing alongside Victoria are The Shades, a trio of West End and musical theatre singers who will perform some of the 60s’ greatest hits individually and together. “They are absolutely fantastic.” said Victoria. “The audience is not going to be able to resist dancing along!”

‘Cilla and the Shades of the 60s’ comes to the Assembly Hall on Tuesday 27th February. Tickets for the show are available from the Assembly Hall on 01225 709887, Melksham TIC in Church Street or visit www.melksham town.co.uk/assemblyhall.