Loathed by millions for his on-screen portrayal of the Street’s wide boy Terry Duckworth, Nigel Pivaro is set to leave a trail of pantomime menace and meanness at the Marina Theatre as the evil Abanazar in the pantomime Aladdin.

RADA trained, Nigel first joined Coronation Street in 1983. He had initially auditioned for the role of Curly Watts and so impressed producers they asked him to audition for the role of Terry, and British TV soap history was made!

The iconic character of Terry Duckworth has become synonymous with the Street. His many wicked ways, from breaking his parents’ hearts, along with several girlfriends, to selling his own son, have made him the villain everyone loves to hate.

Dipping in and out of Street life since the nineties, Nigel’s recent return to the cobbles was a ratings hit. Pantomime producer Paul Holman, from Paul Holman Associates said:

“Nigel is the archetypical soap baddie. He has so much experience to bring to the production of Aladdin at the Marina Theatre and we’re thrilled to have him on board.”

Life away from Coronation Street has seen Nigel appear in Hetty Wainthrop Investigates, The Bill, Expert Witness and the Channel 4 short-film Sunny Side of the Street. He has an extensive background in repertory theatre and has appeared in many pantomimes across the country, always playing the villain and always whipping up audiences into a barrage of boos and a hail of hissing!

Nigel added, “It will be an interesting pleasure to work in the historic sea faring town of Lowestoft, its residents are hardy, inventive and resilient from its fishing roots to leading the way in renewable energy. However my stage persona will not be undergoing any such transformation as I will be sticking to the script to perform one of the most dastardly pantomime villains known to man!"

Nigel will be joining an exciting cast of colourful characters in Aladdin from 18 December 2012 to 6 January 2013. Tickets are on sale now, with special discounted pricing for early bookers, available at the Box Office or by calling 01502 533 200.

A major new musical which is based in Lowestoft is proving so popular that its run has been extended for its visit to the town in which it is set.

Save The Last Dance For Me is the major new musical production from the producers of hit West End show Dreamboats & Petticoats and with seats in great demand for its week at Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre an extra performance has been added to help cope with demand.

Save The Last Dance For Me will be presented at the venue for just one week from July 2nd 2012  prior to the production’s expected transfer to London’s West End and with thousands of seats already snapped up producers have agreed to add another performance to help cope with demand.

The show follows the enormous success of Dreamboats and Petticoats which played to capacity audiences during its Lowestoft run in February.

Produced by the same writers, creators and directors of Dreamboats and Petticoats, Save the Last Dance For Me is set to take audiences back through the ‘music and magic’ of the early 60’s, a time when each passing week brought another Rock ‘n’ Roll classic.

Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran (Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, Shine on Harvey Moon), and featuring the unmistakable music of Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman, the production includes an authentic recreation of the sound of Rock ‘n’ Roll, in a nostalgic, feel-good journey through music’s golden era as the story follows two teenage sisters in the summer of ‘63.

For the first time without their parents, the sisters embark on a holiday to the seaside, and it has been revealed that much of the story is actually set in Lowestoft! Full of freedom and high spirits they meet a handsome young American who invites them to a dance at the local U.S. Air force base... But young love and holiday romance is never as simple as it sounds, and the sisters soon realise that while the world around them is still watching itself in black and white, life and love can be much more colourful.

Featuring the many classic hits of Pomus & Shuman including: A Teenager in Love; Sweets for my Sweet; Turn Me Loose; Here I Go Again; Viva Las Vegas; Little Sister; His Latest Flame; Suspicion; Can’t Get Used to Losing You; Save the Last Dance For Me and many more...

Save the Last Dance opened in January 2012 and is mostly playing in major cities throughout the UK including Manchester, Nottingham, Liverpool and Bristol therefore its forthcoming visit to Lowestoft will ensure that local audiences have the opportunity to see the show first.

Marina Chief Executive, Martin Halliday, said “We are pleased to confirm that we have secured an extra performance of this terrific production, ticket sales are already well ahead of expectations and with the story being partly based in Lowestoft, Save The Last Dance For Me is set to become the must see production at the Marina this summer.”

Tickets are available from the Marina Box Office, for more information or to book seats please telephone 01502 533200.

After the positive vote to go ahead, Mr Sullivan said “we need the townsfolk to start thinking now about taking part in the parade and to let us know that they will be joining in. The committee is provisionally thinking the Carnival procession will take place on Sunday 23rd September 2012 and I believe that together we can take this forward and make it happen!”

Their holiday lodges and penthouses are great for a short break or holiday at any time of year, featuring fabulous views across Carlton marshes, and with unlimited use of the pool and spa included in the price. The Park also has a friendly pub, large shop and day cruiser hire.

If you're planning your 2012 holidays and fancy a few days on the water, why not base yourself at Waveney River Centre's marina and enjoy a series of day trips with a guaranteed mooring at night, complete with use of the swimming pool and luxury showers? Or for a Broads holiday with a unique twist, combine your boating journey with a few days camping or a break in one of their lodges.

Waveney River Centre holds the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award and last year was a triple winner at the EDP Norfolk Tourism Awards - winning Best Holiday Park, Best Broads Experience and the Customer Care Award. This year they are finalists in the EDP Business Awards (Environment and Sustainability).

Check out their website at http://www.waveneyrivercentre.co.uk for full information and a video tour.

Or make friends with A Fish Called Eddie and get all the latest news - http://www.facebook.com/afishcallededdie

James Knight
Waveney River Centre

A promotional video has been created for this years Air Festival website which organisers hope will give potential sponsors a visual insight into the opportunities available at this high profile event.



Produced by airshow supporter Alan O’Neil, the video which features flying displays and highlights the area, has a script voiced by former local TV presenter Clare Weller.

Managing Director Paul Bayfield said “this video is a very welcome addition to the airshow marketing plan. Sadly we have been unable to gain a main sponsor for this year's festival so we hope that the video will lead to the more people becoming aware of various business opportunities that we can offer.” 

He added “this year we are also launching a new initiative by giving away an event programme to our visitors in return for a minimum £3.00 entrance donation fee. Included inside each programmes will be four pages of money-saving redeemable vouchers which we believe will appeal to both our visitors and to our business supporters”.

Another innovation at this year’s Lowestoft Air Festival is an exciting collaboration between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Airshow at the Gala Dinner Dance.

Organisers Trisha Bayfield and Jenny Mills said ”we have teamed up with the Air Ambulance and will be able to show appreciation to them by making a donation from all ticket sales, the raffle and auction. 

The gala dinner dance is a superb evening out and takes place at the Hotel Victoria, Lowestoft on Saturday evening 23rd June 2012, the first evening of the weekend air festival. The black tie party includes a superb 4-course dinner, dancing to a live band, and a charity auction with the chance to win some fantastic raffle prizes including some that money can’t buy.”

Demand for tickets costing £50 each is expected to be high so early booking is essential. Daytime VIP lunch and viewing deals are also available. Tickets can be obtained by calling 01502 587027.

For more information about this years Airshow visit www.lowestoftairfestival.co.uk

The organisers of Lowestoft Carnival parade are reconsidering their decision to cancel the carnival parade through the town this year after unexpectedly being offered funding to meet some of their expenses.

But first they need the people of the town to clearly show that there is a strong desire for the event to go ahead.

A carnival spokesman said that for at least one year they have been promised financial support to meet a significant part of their costs.

But he said “this is only part of the equation. We need to know that businesses, organisations, families and individuals will enter into the carnival spirit by taking part in the parade, hopefully with a decorated float.

We also need lots of extra manpower to work with the organisers to make the event happen and we need to know that the public will turn out to watch the parade.”

The organisers had previously said that it was not viable to hold a parade following the traditional route through the town because of red tape and increasing road closure charges and traffic management costs.

When local businessman John Stannard read the story in the local press he realised that he might be in a position to help. John is one of the four trustees of the Gwen Baker Trust. Gwen had been the chairman of the Friends of Lowestoft Hospital who had run the parade for over forty years and was the group’s president at the time of her death.

Mr Stannard said ”I approached my fellow trustees and we agreed that Gwen would have wanted us to do whatever we could to keep the Carnival alive in the town. If that meant using some of her legacy to pay for the expenses that were cited as being one of the obstacles to the event going ahead – then we should offer to fund them” 

John added ”this is a Jubilee and Olympic year – not just an ordinary year. I think this gives a special reason why the parade should go ahead. Young people especially enjoy taking part, dressing up, letting themselves go and generally having a good time. It would be a real shame if the parade could not be saved”.

The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Lowestoft Hospital is being held at 7.00pm on Monday 14th May 2012 at the Hospital in Tennyson Road and a final decision will be made then. 

Friend’s Chairman Pat Rayner said “if we get strong public support, particularly with extra help to organise the parade, then the decision to go ahead with a parade, probably on a Sunday in September, could be made for us.”

To let the organisers know that you either want to take part in, spectate or help to organise the parade please e-mail info@lowestoftcarnival.co.uk, send a facebook message or a letter to Pat Rayner, c/o Lowestoft Hospital, Tennyson Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1PT.

The Lowestoft Airshow organisers have announced the line-up for this year’s event, that takes place at the weekend for then first time, and they are thrilled that the Red Arrows will again lead a very strong RAF contingent.

Paul Bayfield, the Air Festival’s managing director, in making the announcement expressed his delight that the RAF events team, who sift through literally hundreds of applications for RAF display aircraft to perform at shows all over the country and abroad, had allocated such a great selection to Lowestoft.

He said “We realise that the RAF have had to make substantial cuts in their finances this year but they have done Lowestoft proud and we are so very grateful to them for committing to us once again. 

As well as the Red Arrows, who this year will be a seven strong team instead of the usual nine, other RAF displays will include the ever popular Battle of Britain Memorial flight featuring the Dakota, Hurricane and Spitfire. 

A Hawk, Tucano, Grob Tutor, King Air and Tornado will also grace the skies and delight the crowd at the 16th Lowestoft Air Festival. The Falcons Free Fall Parachute team will be making their first appearance in the town when they drop onto the South Beach during the airshow.”

This year the festival of flying is being held at a weekend in June for the first time to avoid clashing with the London Olympics but organisers believe this will give many more local people, who may otherwise have been working, the chance to see the town’s biggest summertime event.

Mr Bayfield added “our display programme has received a wonderful boost from the RAF but we have also booked some great commercial displays to make a varied programme. Regular favourites the Brietling Wing Walkers will be appearing as will the thrilling Red Bull pair and the Aerostars, the largest civilian formation aerobatics team in the UK flying six Russian Yakovlev aircraft. 

We would love to have some foreign air forces displaying their aircraft at our Airshow too, but despite our Air Display Director Tim Miller contacting them, so far we haven’t had any positive replies – but we live in hope”

An airshow spokesman said that perhaps the biggest dilemma that the organising committee had faced this year was whether or not they could afford to include the Vulcan in the airshow. But with costs of £10,000 for the Saturday display and £12,000 for Sunday, a total fee that would represent well over a quarter of the flying budget, they reluctantly accept that it is unlikely that the Vulcan will be in the programme this year. That is of course unless someone willing to sponsor the display of such an iconic and awe inspiring aircraft comes forward.

He added that negotiations with other display aircraft operators were still going on, so the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival, which takes place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June 2012, could also feature some further surprises.”

Air Festival Quiz Night
A few spaces are still available at a fundraising quiz night and Fish & Chip supper in support of the Lowestoft Air Festival.

It is open to teams of four or six people and takes place at The Masonic Hall in the Avenue, Lowestoft on Friday 27th April. Tickets for the event cost £11 per head and can be obtained by calling Michael Cook 01502 567942.