George Formby, Dame Vera Lynn and more as 'Spirit of the Blitz' show comes to Coventry's Belgrade - The Coventry Observer

George Formby, Dame Vera Lynn and more as 'Spirit of the Blitz' show comes to Coventry's Belgrade

Coventry Editorial 17th Apr, 2022   0

A TRIBUTE to the legendary stars who kept everyone’s spirits up during the Second World War will take place at the Belgrade Theatre at 1.30pm on April 28.

The show was originally scheduled to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz in 2020 but had to be postponed because of the pandemic.

Spirit of the Blitz recaptures the defiant optimism of war-torn Britain, featuring old-time favourites such as ‘Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree’, ‘Bless ‘Em All’, ‘Leaning on a Lamp Post’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again’.

Producer Andy Eastwood, who also takes on the role of George Formby, described the show as a ‘feelgood experience’, adding it was not in the spirit of the show to give up.




“We may have missed the landmark anniversary due to Covid, but the songs will still sound every bit as good, and the atmosphere will be terrific as soon as the audience join in.

“The wonderful thing about Spirit Of The Blitz is that it means many things to different people.


“It’s first and foremost a heart-warming, uplifting singalong.

“They were such awful times that the entertainment had to be bright and breezy and cheerful.

“But beneath the humour is a subtext of suffering, loss and tragedy.

“Everyone in that audience will be remembering loved ones who went through it, so it’s very thought-provoking too.”

He said it was a fitting and positive way to remember the ‘incredibly brave generation’.

“We have performed this show at many theatres around the country but nowhere does it mean more than Coventry.”

As well as Andy, there is Maggie O’Hara who pays tribute to Dame Vera Lynne and Anne Shelton and multi-talented Pete Lindup, who recreates the comedy of 1940s favourites Max Miller and Robb Wilton.

Pete said: “There will be veterans at the show, and it’s an honour to entertain them, but it’s also great for younger people to see the lovely warm way that performers charmed an audience back then.”

Tickets are available at belgrade.co.uk or by calling 02476 553055.

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