The Tommy Tommy club

Fans of Cannon and Ball get a rare chance to see the legendary comic duo in Lytham next week when the world premiere of ROCK OFF TOMMY is staged at LOWTHER PAVILION, LYTHAM.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Jan 2014, 16:00 BST
Rock off Tommy: Tommy Cannon (left) and Bobby Ball get a surprise visit from a Spanish policeman played by Andy Cooke while fellow cast members Vera Cummins, Richie Withers and Paul Lomax look on in Fylde Coast Players production of Rock Off Tommy at Lythams Lowther PavilionRock off Tommy: Tommy Cannon (left) and Bobby Ball get a surprise visit from a Spanish policeman played by Andy Cooke while fellow cast members Vera Cummins, Richie Withers and Paul Lomax look on in Fylde Coast Players production of Rock Off Tommy at Lythams Lowther Pavilion
Rock off Tommy: Tommy Cannon (left) and Bobby Ball get a surprise visit from a Spanish policeman played by Andy Cooke while fellow cast members Vera Cummins, Richie Withers and Paul Lomax look on in Fylde Coast Players production of Rock Off Tommy at Lythams Lowther Pavilion

The play was written by Bobby Ball, who has chosen award-winning local amdram group FYLDE COAST PLAYERS to be first in the country to produce it.

It tells the “purely fictional” story of how Tommy Cannon has retired from showbiz to run a bar in Majorca having split with long-time stage and TV partner Bobby following an argument.

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The bar is struggling to survive so with some assistance from his drunken wife, his camp compere and a dopey waiter, Tommy plans some new entertainment to attract new customers. But there’s a surprise in store when the act turns out to be none other than Bobby, who is performing under a new name. Needless to say, the amazing co-incidence causes a catalogue of confusion and chaos!

“I’ve seen several of the plays produced by Fylde Coast Players over the years and been impressed with the quality of their performances,” says Bobby, who lives in St Annes. “I was delighted when they said they’d present Rock Off Tommy and I’m really looking forward to seeing it brought to life on stage.”

Director Rosie Withers added: “Being chosen to present Bobby’s play is a fantastic opportunity for Fylde Coast Players.

“We are also honoured that Tommy and Bobby are starring in it themselves.

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This is a rip-roaring comedy in true Cannon and Ball style which is certain to appeal to all audiences, especially their many fans throughout the Fylde and beyond.

Rock Off Tommy is at Lowther Pavilion for four nights from Wednesday-Saturday, February 5-8 at 7.30 pm. Tickets £15 (£12 concessions), call 01253 794221 or online at www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk

The second half of SOUTHPORT DRAMATIC CLUB’S season opens at THE LITTLE THEATRE, SOUTHPORT with Peter Gordon’s MURDERED TO DEATH, a spoof on the old Agatha Christie whodunits set in the obligatory country house.

The inept and bungling Inspector Pratt has come to solve the murder of the house’s owner and, accompanied by his hapless stooge, Constable Thompkins, he interviews all the guests, who together resemble a cast from Cleudo. There is a bumptuous Colonel, a buffoon of a butler and a dotty old lady called Miss Maple who is anxious to help with the police with their enquiries.

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Farce in the great British tradition, with an all-star cast of Steve Pritchard, Helen Pritchard, Simon Hawkins, Ceri Watkins, Tracey Batchelor, Trudi Hirsch, Paul Wilkinson and Nick Lloyd.

The play runs from Friday, January 24 to Saturday, February 1 at 7.45pm. Call: 01704 530521/530460.

Related topics:Bobby BallLytham