Pudsey singer to bring curtain down at Leeds City Varieties
Filed Under Kitchen Curtain | Posted on May 15, 2008
Pudsey’s Lawrie Briggs has played Leeds City Varieties so often she is almost part of its fixtures and fittings.
Now the popular performer says she is proud to be singing at the former music hall for one last time before its multi-million pound refurbishment.
Her Varieties history dates back more than 20 years to when she appeared with the much-loved Good Old Days shows.
On Sunday, Laurie and her tribute band, The Karpenters, will take a 20-strong children’s choir to the historic Briggate venue.
Laurie said: “I am delighted we have been able to play there before the closure.
“It is one of the oldest theatres in the country and it is the heart of our city. The staff there have been big supporters of my career since I was in my early 20s.
“The Varieties is so authentic, it is like going back in time. You are surrounded by history in there, it is wonderful.”
Laurie said the choir, from West End Lane Primary School, Horsforth, would join the band for a rendition of the Carpenters classic, Sing.
The youngsters are also guaranteed to tug at the audience’s heart strings when they perform a sign language version of another Carpenters favourite, Top of the World.
Laurie said: “There was a children’s choir with us last year and it was beautiful. And back in 2005 little Harry McHale joined us on stage – I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house that night.”
Harry was named the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Child of Courage in 2005 for his inspiring attitiude in the face of serious illness.
Next spring, the City Varieties will close its doors for a year while the ï¿¡9.2m refit takes place.
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