Kerry Ellis for Edinburgh

West End Star to play two Edinburgh dates

West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis is playing a major fundraising concert at Edinburgh’s St Giles tonight, Friday 11 November 2019, to raise funds and awareness for Edinburgh based charity, Make 2nds Count.

Ellis, who originated the role of Meat in Queen musical We Will Rock You, will be returning to Edinburgh in April, to perform in another of the city’s iconic venues when she plays the Usher Hall in the opening show of a nine-date tour of Queen Machine Symphonic.

Kerry Ellis

In this evening’s Winter Wonderland Christmas Concert, Ellis will be joined on stage will be another West End leading lady and Loose Women panellist, Zoe Tyler, who started her career at the age of 20 in Les Miserables. The event will be compered by Scottish actor, singer and producer, Tom Urie.

Kerry Ellis, who is also a patron of Make 2nds Count, said: “I am truly delighted to be returning to Edinburgh to sing at this concert at St. Giles Cathedral – what a magnificent venue.

“Lisa and the team at Make 2nds Count are truly inspirational and it is my pleasure to be part of this show that will help raise vital finds for this very worthy cause.”

Make 2nds Count was founded by husband and wife musical lovers, Lisa and Euan Fleming, after Lisa was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017. It is dedicated to giving hope to those affected by this treatable but incurable disease.

awareness

The charity supports patients and families, raises awareness of secondary breast cancer and funds for medical research that will contribute to advancing an increased quality of life for patients.

Lisa, who started performing on stage at age two, says her love of music has been the best medicine and form of escapism during the last 12 months where she has undergone multiple operations and cancer treatments.

St Giles, where Kerry Ellis will be performing. Pic: Thom Dibdin

The concert will feature songs from some of the best loved shows from London’s West End and Broadway – including Wicked, Les Miserables, Mary Poppins and Miss Saigon – with more than a few surprises and a special festive touch.

Lisa Fleming said: “From the day I was diagnosed I wanted to raise awareness and funds to support research into secondary breast cancer.

“On average, only 5-9% of breast cancer funding is allocated to secondary research.

“Make 2nds Count has already donated over £150,000 to Edinburgh University to support research dedicated to secondary breast cancer and we want to continue to raise even more funds to support patients and families affected by this incurable disease. The Winter Wonderland concert is definitely a fun way to do that!”

Kerry Ellis’s return to Edinburgh in April marks a long association with Queen’s Brian May. Since originating Meat in We Will Rock You she has forged a long-standing musical relationship and friendship with the  guitarist, who describes her as having “Britain’s most beautiful voice”.

comfortable, grateful and special

“I met Brian May a long time ago,” she reveals. “Before I auditioned for We Will Rock You I was in My Fair Lady and he ask me to audition for the show. I met him and Roger Taylor and worked with them closely, developing the musical.

Kerry Ellis will be returning to Edinburgh in March to perform with Queen Machine. Pic: Geoff Ford

“I have gone on to work with Brian for almost 15 years now, touring the UK and Europe, writing songs, putting albums together. I feel comfortable, grateful and special to be singing those songs in that environment, and that I have Brian’s blessing to do it.”

The all-new show, Queen Machine Symphonic, will see Queen’s hits performed by Ellis and tribute act Queen Machine – accompanied by the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra conducted by Matthew Freeman.

Ellis explains: “There are orchestral versions of Queen’s music out there, their music has been translated for an orchestra, and people do concerts celebrating Queen – but this set up hasn’t been done before; an orchestra, the rock band and then me singing. I’m so excited about it.

“When the Queen Machine Symphonic opportunity came up, I let Brian know about it and asked what he thought. The Queen Machine guys have played for one of the Freddie celebrations and are very much welcomed in the Queen family. They’re very well established, and they are huge in Europe.”

Listings

A West End Winter Wonderland
St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile, EH1 1RE.
Friday 22 November 2019
Evening: 7.30pm
Tickets and details: Book here.
Make 2nds Count: www.make2ndscount.co.uk/.

Queen Machine Symphonic
Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA
Wednesday 15 April 2020.

ENDS

Tags: Brian May, Euan Fleming, Kerry Ellis, LIsa Fleming, Matthew Freeman, Queen Machine Symphonic, St Giles' Cathedral, Tom Urie, We Will Rock You, Winter Wonderland Christmas Concert, Zoe Tyler