Newcastle to celebrate the Commonwealth in style

A host of North East performers who are of Commonwealth heritage will be taking the stage on Sunday 22nd April at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House to celebrate the Commonwealth and help raise funds for a youth charity.

In April, for the first time in over 20 years, the UK will host the 53-nation Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting when leaders from all the member countries will gather. They come together to reaffirm the shared values of the Commonwealth, address the shared global challenges they all face and agree how to work to create a better future for all their citizens, particularly young people.

In common with some other parts of the country, the Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Susan Winfield is marking this special occasion in a way that celebrates the historic and cultural links that bind our Commonwealth of nations and that showcases people in our own area whose heritage is from a country of the Commonwealth.

The event for Tyne and Wear is an afternoon of culture and celebration on 22nd April (3pm) at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle, presenting a performance of music, song and dance from around the Commonwealth. Performers include

The Voices of Virtue gospel choir, whose singers come from several different Commonwealth countries

Malaysian-born singer Jeffri Ramli who appeared on "The Voice"

Young singer/songwriter Victor Raymond

The North Tyneside Steel Band

Young Indian classical and Bollywood dancers from the Hindu Cultural Trust

Comedian Wajid Hussain

with local singers Julie Pendleton and John Rowland

and young students from Excelsior Academy will perform a short drama called "Colour Blind" which they previously performed at Sage Gateshead

Artist Jayamini da Silva, from Sri Lanka, will exhibit some of her paintings in the stalls bar at the theatre.

The show will be compered by BBC presenter Jeff Brown, himself a Deputy Lord Lieutenant

Funds raised from ticket sales and donations are going to The Queen's Commonwealth Trust which celebrates Her Majesty's belief in young people as a force for good. Focusing on sport, education, health and environment, The Trust's ambition is to enable young people to build a better future for all.

Mrs Winfield said "I am delighted that we have such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Commonwealth and at the same time promote our common values. Our shared inheritances help us overcome difference so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division."

Tickets for the show are only £8 (£5 concessions) and can be obtained from the theatre -http://tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/events/celebrate-the-countries-cultures-of-the-commonwealth/

Donations by cheque to the charity payable to NEHCT can be sent to The Lieutenancy Office, of Tyne and Wear, Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead Tyne and Wear NE8 1HH