A Liver Birds reunion, a Game of Thrones actor, a legendary theatrical knight of the realm and two of the country’s most respected stage and screen actresses are among the stars heading for Chester Cathedral for this year’s Spirit of Christmas carol concert.
They are all part of a wonderful line-up of stars from stage and screen who are set to perform at The Neuromuscular Centre’s 21st Spirit of Christmas at Chester Cathedral, hosted by actor and presenter Matthew Kelly on Friday, November 25.
Former Emmerdate and Coronation Street star Elizabeth Estensen has already been announced for the event but it has now been revealed she will be reunited with her former Liver Birds co-star Nerys Hughes at Chester Cathedral. They starred together in Carla Lane’s famous comedy series from 1975-79.
Theatrical legend Sir Derek Jacobi has also signed up for the Chester event. Sir Derek has a long list of film and television credits spanning more than 55 years, most recently starring in Last Tango in Halifax and Vicious.
Celebrated actresses Alison Steadman, who played Pam in the hit TV series Gavin and Stacey from 2007-2010, and Lesley Manville, who appeared in the 2014 film Maleficent and played Phyllis Gladstone in Law and Order, have also confirmed their paricipation.
Game of Thrones fans will be delighted to hear that Karl Davies, who played Alton lannister in the hit fantasy series, will be at the Cathedral for the concert. He also played Robert Sugden in Emmerdale.
The Roberts Bakery Brass Band will also be performing plus The Queen’s School Chamber Choir.
And in the run up to the concert, there will be a choir competition run across primary schools in Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales in the search for a choir to perform on the night.
The Choir Competition is sponsored by Dawsons Music, who will provide a digital piano to the winning school.
Tickets to the Spirit of Christmas begin at £12.50 and are on sale now via the Neuromuscular Centre website www.nmcentre.com or by calling 01606 861733.
Matthew Kelly is president of the Neuromuscular Centre, a charity in Winsford that provides a range of services for young people and adults with muscular dystrophy, a severe and debilitating muscle wasting condition.
