Seán and friends returning for Christmas concert

Fabulous feedback and a host of requests prompted Bacup-born singer Seán Ruane to invite his friends back on stage for a second concert in the town.
Sean RuaneSean Ruane
Sean Ruane

For the last two years, international opera singer Seán has just been holding a ‘Sean and Friends’ night at Bacup Royal Court Theatre.

Former St Theodore's pupil Seán, who lives in Burnley, said: “We had such good feedback from our May concert on social media and people were asking us if we would do a Christmas show that we decided let’s do it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It will be a true variety show with a host of home-grown Valley talent showcasing the amazing singers and talented musicians and performers that we have in Rossendale.”

May’s show opened with St Anne’s Edgeside Community Choir and the singers, from primary school age to pensioners, will be back at Christmas to delight the audience.

Seán said: “I think having the community choir performing made the last concert extra special because the audience could see themselves in the performance.

“The choir was set up initially to combat isolation and it now attracts people from all over Rossendale.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Since performing in Bacup, members have gone on to sing at Wembley in front of 70,000 rugby fans where they helped to keep a tradition from 1929 alive by singing ‘Abide With Me’."

The concert, on Saturday December 7th, will have traditional carols and Christmas songs for the audience to interact and sing along with and some surprises.

Seán, who grew up on the Pennine Road Estate, loves returning to the nearby theatre where his career started, especially when he sees familiar faces.

He said: “Chrissie Donnelly and Mrs Daley were always on the front row when I was younger; they used to look after me as a child when my mum died when I was four.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Both Chrissie and Mrs Daley are sadly no longer with us, but now Chrissie’s daughter Theresa takes up a front row seat and I look forward to seeing her again in December.

“These concerts are all about connecting the community and it is amazing how many people tell me that is just what happens when they come along.”

As well as the choir, cruise ship artists The Lomax Brothers will be on stage along with singer Rachel Spencer, who owns Sophia Management and Casting Agency.

Classical pianist Joanna Garcia will be accompanying Sean and brass trio Josh Brown, Thomas Kershaw and George Hanson and ‘The Band’ of Liam Spencer, Dan Connolly and Roger Hindle will be playing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Seán now runs Chant Productions, working with young people, groups and businesses to create choirs and perform.

He said: “It has been a busy year and although not performing live at The Ashes, the England cricket team did walk out to my recording of ‘Jerusalem’.

“We are also working with Blackburn charity Child Action North West and BBC Children In Need.”

Tickets are £13 and available from the Royal Court Theatre Box Office or Wishes Galore in Bacup.

Related topics: