TV and radio icons to grace the stage

Two British icons will be performing on the same Warrington stage within days of each other as Parr Hall enters its busiest period since reopening.

Chat show king, Sir Michael Parkinson, will be sharing tales from his industrious career interviewing A-listers and high-profile figures on Monday, 18 October, while Tony Blackburn – famous for being the first DJ to broadcast on BBC Radio 1 – will turning back the clock to the 1960s at his live show on Thursday, 28 October.

Sir Michael is widely regarded to be one of the best talk show hosts and broadcasters of his generation. But now the tables have turned because the 86-year-old will be talking about his own life. In a career spanning six decades, and from Madonna to Muhammed Ali, Sir Michael has interviewed more than 2,000 of the most important cultural figures of the 20th and 21st centuries.

At the Parr Hall, he will be in conversation with his son – and long term producer – Mike in a show that will also feature highlights from his much loved and long-running show Parkinson. But the night will touch upon his wider life story too – from a pit village in Yorkshire to the top of those famous stairs.

Meanwhile, broadcasting legend Tony Blackburn is bringing the live version of his BBC Radio 2 show to the historic Palmyra Square venue. Joining Tony will be the ‘Sounds of the 60s All Star Band and Singers’ who will be performing the music live. The evening will bring the much-loved Saturday morning radio programme to the stage with the best tracks, stories and memories from the golden decade of pop.

Tony made his name on ‘the boat that rocked’ – Radio Caroline. The pirate radio station broadcast on international waters as a way of getting around the BBC’s monopoly on the airwaves. It became so successful that the Beeb eventually adopted an ‘if you can’t beat them’ mentality and that is how Tony was invited to become a key part of the launch of BBC Radio 1.

He was the first DJ to broadcast on the station at its launch at the end of September 1967. He remained the breakfast show presenter until 1973 and between 1979 and 1981 he fronted the Sunday Top 40 show on the station.

Tickets are on sale now for both shows. Visit parrhall.culturewarrington.org or call the box office on 01925 442345.