Secrets of Showbiz – Electric Palace, 19th March 2026, 2pm

Join us for an afternoon of showbiz stories, backstage gossip and golden memories featuring live music and rarely seen music and film clips.

Starring Steve Scruton, veteran BBC radio presenter of 35 years, in conversation with Alan Goldsmith, legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll music promoter with over 60 years in the business.  

It’s a unique event revealing behind the scenes encounters with some of the world’s biggest stars.  Alan will reveal how much he paid Stevie Wonder for a 1960s gig, why he turned down The Rolling Stones, some of the riders and demands of the artists and so much more!

There’s also live music to accompany the stories and memories from the fabulous Adam Knight. Steve will have tales of interviewing over 20,000 guests from household names to East End gangsters along with some studio secrets too.  

Be prepared for star-studded stories, plenty of laughter and some rare footage of death-defying arena stunts organised by Alan in an era before health and safety...

A man claiming to be from the future takes the patrons of an iconic Los Angeles diner hostage in search of unlikely recruits in a quest to save the world.

Will, a small goat with big dreams, gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball – a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world. Will's new teammates aren't thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, but Will is determined to revolutionize the sport and prove once and for all that 'smalls can ball'!

With her life crashing down around her, Linda attempts to navigate her child's mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

The film tells the story of a group of activists that were recruited to undertake agitational work on behalf of the African National Congress. It won best drama documentary in Johanesburg and best anti-racist film in a 5 day festival in Cuba. This is a thriller with edge of your seat entertainment, that tells the story of the expoits of the recruits. Some were successful but some paid a heavy price.

After the film there will be a Q&A hosted by Steve Marsling and the opportunity to purchase a London Recruits Education Resource booklet for more information on the themes explored in the film.

The world is a perplexing, peaceful mystery to Amélie until a miraculous encounter with chocolate ignites her wild sense of curiosity. As she develops a deep attachment to her family's housekeeper, Nishio-san, Amélie discovers the wonders of nature as well as the emotional truths hidden beneath the surface of her family's idyllic life as foreigners in post-war Japan.

A lonely Frankenstein travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman and The Bride is born. But what ensues is beyond what either of them imagined.

Brazil, 1977. Marcelo, a technology expert in his early 40s, is on the run. Hoping to reunite with his son, he travels to Recife during Carnival but soon realizes that the city is not the safe haven he was expecting.

Raised by a scheming dwarf and unaware of his true family origins, a young man embarks on an epic journey. Soon, destiny brings him face-to-face with a shattered sword, a fearsome dragon and the cursed ring it guards, and a Valkyrie forced into enchanted slumber...

Moments of transcendent beauty and heroic triumph sparkle in the third chapter of Wagner’s Ringcycle, brought to life under Barrie Kosky’s inspired eye following his spectacular Das Rheingold (2023)and Die Walküre (2025).

Andreas Schager, in his much-anticipated debut with The Royal Opera, stars as Siegfried’s titular hero, alongside Christopher Maltman’s towering Wanderer, Peter Hoare’s treacherous Mime and Elisabet Strid’s radiant Brünnhilde. Antonio Pappano conducts, drawing out the unspoken tensions and ethereal mysticism of Wagner’s dynamic score.

The ELO Encounter

Face the Music

Roll over Beethoven, because the greatest tribute to Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra is here! In an all live show featuring soaring strings, striking vocal harmonies and playing all the much loved songs from ELO’s hit-filled library including Evil Woman, Telephone Line and Don’t Bring Me Down. The ELO Encounter promises a night filled with rock, roll and Blue Skies that would make even Mozart mambo and Bach boogie! So Hold On Tight because Rock and Roll Is King in a show that is guaranteed to have you partying All Over The World.

Not only flawlessly recreating the wonderful music of ELO, it’s a spectacular live show from start to finish. Stunning lights and special effects create an atmosphere that will have you fully immersed in the whole experience. As the ELO Encounter reel off ELO classic hit after hit, it’s guaranteed to have the hairs on the back of your neck dancing in time to the music!

As a recent reviewer remarked, “Not really a tribute, that cheapens what this band does, which is to transport you back to those days. So sensitively and authentically done, at times it felt like it was actually ELO being mirrored up there on the stage”.

That’s what The ELO Encounter tribute show is all about.

★★★★★ "An incredible evening! It isn't often we get shows of your calibre!" Muni Theatre, Colne

★★★★★ “A brilliant night out” – Steve Scruton – BBC Radio

★★★★★ “Amazing … a fantastic band” – Tony Fisher – BBC Radio

★★★★★ “I’ve never seen such a standing ovation here!” – Braintree Arts Theatre

★★★★★ “Simply outstanding … thank you ELO Encounter” – RoadHouse Birmingham

★★★★★ “Certainly went down a storm!” – Quay Theatre

★★★★★ “Best Tribute band we have seen at the Fisher.” - Fisher Theatre

A concert to celebrate the life and legacy of Electric Palace Trust Chairman Chris Strachan.

It is safe to say the Electric Palace would not be here today if it were not for the efforts of Chris Strachan. Chris was Trustee Chairman for more than 30 years. He was also an accomplished jazz trumpeter and ensured the music was enshrined in the fabric of the Electric Palace.

Chris's main ensemble was The Tendring Thunderbirds, a flexible local group of musicians playing jazz in the tradition of New Orleans but with a contemporary vibe.

The "Thunderboids", as Chris pronounced them, were formed at the beginning of this century and were a regular attraction for many years playing to an enthusiastic and packed house.

The Electric Palace is proud to reunite a number of the Thunderbirds for a very special concert to celebrate the legacy of Chris at the Electric Palace two days before what would have been his birthday. All profits will go towards the Memorial Fund in his name.

Stepping into Chris's shoes as trumpeter and band leader is Paul Higgs, who guested several times with the Thunderbirds. Paul is no stranger to Ronnie Scott's Club and has played with the likes of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Johnny Dankworth, John Williams, Tony Hatch, Nancy Wilson and Lulu, to name but a few.

He will be joined on stage by Alan Arnold bass, Kevin Harris drums, Evan Jones saxophone, Tom Monahan trombone, John Parker guitar and Carl Sterling saxophone for what will be a fun-filled and uplifting night of hot Crescent City jazz in the good old "Thunderboids" spirit.  

 

 

 

The Paul McCartney Project presents an evening of music, written by Sir Paul McCartney.  The show recreates the excitement of the most recent concerts performed by Paul during his worldwide Got Back Tour and features a live band playing songs from an enormous back catalogue including those from his time with The Beatles, Wings and his solo career.

Band members include:

• Paul M (vocals, keys & guitars)
• Crazz (guitars)
• Mick Rose (keyboards & vocals)
• Dave Osborne (bass guitar & vocals)
• Bill Brooks (drums, samples & vocals)