A Leigh opera star returns home for a charity concert to help secure the future of a local venue
A Wigan borough-born opera singer is not forgetting his roots as he heads home for a special concert
A Leigh-born opera star is set to return home next month for a charity concert to help save the town’s last remaining theatre.
Internationally renowned tenor, Joe Shovelton, will take to the stage at Leigh’s iconic St Joseph’s Hall on Sunday December 6 for a festive afternoon performance featuring live music and conversation, all washed down with a warm pasty and glass of fizz.
Joe, who was born in Firs Maternity Home, Leigh, left town at 18 to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, and went on to become Principal at the New D’Oyly Carte Opera company before moving to Opera North.
Since then, he has entertained audiences around the globe, performed for the late Queen and entertained rock royalty, Rod Stewart.
Joe said: “I made my debut at St Joseph’s Hall in the pantomime, Humpty Dumpty, and I got the bug. I have always been incredibly grateful for that.
“My family have been local to the Bedford area of town for 200 years, and many of us have performed on St Joseph’s stage or worked behind the scenes.”
For his Leigh concert, Joe promises something for everyone with a set taking in songs from the musicals, opera standards, Christmas favourites and a few Irish tunes to reflect his ancestry.
He added, “I am very proud of my achievements, and I feel lucky and grateful every time I perform, but I will never forget my roots and my hometown.
“The Hall inspired me all those years ago, and I want to help it encourage our next generation of young people.”
Priced £20 each, tickets for Joe’s December 6 concert, starting at 2pm and including a pasty and glass of fizz, can be booked online at ticketsource.co.uk/st-josephs-players