Dame Vera Lynn-endorsed 1940s tribute show returns for fifth time

Gary Birtles, co-producer of Groovy Gazza Productions, the company behind A Salute to the 1940s, said: “We are really looking forward to returning to the Forum for our fifth year because the audiences are so great. Every year we have done the show it has brought in a larger audience”.

Gary’s co-producer wife Lorrie Brown, who was voted UK No.1 Vera Lynn tribute act by the agents association, got to meet her idol to be congratulated on the award and now the singing legend has endorsed the show, saying how pleased she was that Lorrie was helping to keep her music alive.

Lorrie said: “This is such an honour for Dame Vera to back our show in this way. I have been performing my tribute show for over 20 years and it has crowned what has been a truly magical time for me. I have played in some amazing venues, such as St David’s Hall in Cardiff, Blackpool Opera House and the middle of the West Ham FC pitch, singing at half time to a crowd of 33,000. But I always love coming back to Billingham because the crowd are amazing. We’ve even got to know a few who come back year after year’.

Also appearing in the show will be tributes to George Formby performed by local artiste Colin Bourdiec. The Andrews Sisters, Gracie Fields, Max Miller and G.I Frank Sinatra also make an appearance.

Lorrie and Gary are no strangers to The Forum, having both appeared in panto with Keith Harris in 2002.

A Salute to the 1940s will be performed on April 10. Tickets from the box office on 01642 552663 or online.