Judy & Liza anniversary tour revealed including New Brighton date this summer

Liverpool-based West End actress Emma Dears is set to star in a new UK tour of Judy & Liza which comes to New Brighton this June.

Dears will reprise her role as Liza Minnelli in the well-received show which she also created and wrote, appearing alongside fellow West End performer Helen Sheals as Judy Garland.

The music-filled show, from the city’s Bill Elms Productions along with On Song Productions, marks its 10th anniversary this year and charts the at times turbulent relationship between the famous Hollywood mother and daughter, set against the backdrop of their 1964 concert at the London Palladium.

The tour will start at Worcester’s Swan Theatre on May 19 – Covid lockdown roadmap rules depending – and will come to the Floral Pavilion on Friday, June 4 for two performances. Social distancing will be followed in the auditorium.

Other venues include Leeds, Chesterfield, Lytham St Anne’s, Coventry, Theatre Clywd and Lichfield, while a further tour for October is also being planned.

Above: Judy and Liza. Top: Emma Dears as Liza Minnelli. Photos by Andrew AB

Dears, who has appeared in West End show including Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and Oliver, says: “As performers, we crave being in front of a live audience – seeing, hearing and feeling their reactions, it gets no better than that.

“Whether you’re a fan of Judy or Liza, or both, their story is unique. The show is full of love, heartache, and passion, and Helen and I have worked tirelessly to make sure we get every tiny detail just right.”

Bill Elms adds: “We’re thrilled to finally announce the 10th Anniversary UK tour of Judy & Liza. It’s a production very close to my heart as I worked on the very first show.

“It is going to be a very special tour as for many of the theatres this will be their first show of the year as we come out of lockdown.

“We can promise audiences a safe and very memorable experience as they rediscover the joy of live entertainment through this captivating show.”

Judy & Liza is at the Floral Pavilion at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on June 4. Tickets HERE