Stars of stage and screen to celebrate musical festivities with orchestra.
Mark Williams looks set to bring a sense of festive fun to the stage this year as part of Christmas with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which also features a host of glittering performances by Carl Davis, Lance Ellington and the CBSO’s family of choruses.
One of the Midlands’ outstanding acting talents, Mark Williams, well-known for his roles in the BBC’s Doctor Who and Fast Show series as well as Arthur Weasley in the much-loved Harry Potter films, will join the Orchestra and its family of choruses for Festive Favourites, one of Birmingham’s best loved seasonal highlights at Symphony Hall. Full of carols and humorous tales from Mark as he shares his favourite seasonal stories, the concerts – conducted once again by the CBSO’s chorus director Simon Halsey – take place on Thursday 19th December, 7:30pm, Sunday 22nd December 3pm and 7:30pm and Monday 23rd December, 7:30pm.
Legendary conductor Carl Davis will also join in the festivities with a special seasonal edition of the orchestra’s popular Friday Night Classics, Wonderful Christmastime on Friday 13th December, 7:30pm. Maestro Carl, who is no stranger to working with the CBSO, will share the Symphony Hall stage with guest vocalists Lance Ellington – heard every week on BBCTV’s Strictly Come Dancing – and Katy Treharne – currently starring in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End. Popular Christmas hits such as White Christmas and Baby, It’s Cold Outside join a whole host of songs for what’s set to be a truly enchanting evening.
The CBSO Centre will also be packed full of music for all the family this festive season. The youngest, pre-school, concert-goers will have a very special Festive Treat, with their own interactive Notelets concerts on 6th and 7th December. Another audience favourite for this season of goodwill will be the Palm Court Christmas Party. Be transported back in time for a glitzy roaring twenties Christmas with the CBSO’s 10-piece Berkley Salon Ensemble alongside the CBSO Youth Chorus, performing a matinee concert which is sure to have audiences singing along to lovely lunchtime tunes and Christmas classics.
Finally, after all of the turkey and trimmings have finally departed, audiences will be waltzing down Symphony Hall aisles for the CBSO’s annual party, Viennese New Year, on 4th January, 7:30 with conductor, Stephen Bell and soprano, Elin Manahan Thomas.
Stephen Maddock, CBSO chief executive said: “Christmas is a very special time for the CBSO family, which we love to share with all of our audiences, those that are just finding their feet and those who are and will always be young at heart. This year we’re looking forward to having local lad Mark Williams join us, and of course Carl Davis who’ll bring a real sense of swing to his concert. Birmingham at Christmas is a great place to be and we look forward sharing a whole range of musical experiences with you.”
Tickets are available from Symphony Hall or Town Hall box offices in person, by phone: 0121 780 3333, or online: www.cbso.co.uk/concerts