More Thrills - Thriller Live has extended its run at the Lyric Theatre in London by an extra year. The show, which is a concert of music by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, is now booking until 28 September, 2014. It was first staged at the venue in January 2009 following three UK tours. The show has extended its run at the theatre every year since then, with the last fixed booking period ending in March of this year. On October 24 the production will celebrate its 2,000th West End performance. Last month Thriller Live embarked upon a tour of the UK and Ireland featuring Cleo Higgins, a finalist from the recent series of BBC1 singing contest The Voice, and also Rachel Adedeji, who was a finalist on ITV's X Factor.
Tribute Gig - Musicians including Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande and Rita Ora headlined a concert in memory of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence. Along with Jessie J and others, they played London's O2 on Sunday night. The tribute gig marked 20 years since the 18-year-old was killed in a racist attack in Eltham, south-east London. Proceeds from Unity: a concert for Stephen Lawrence are going to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, which helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Late News - Two women from Essex have received a reply from Sir Paul McCartney, half a century after trying to contact him. Barbara Bezant and Lyn Phillips recorded a message to the then Beatle in 1963 and sent a tape to the London theatre where the band was playing. Decades later it turned up at a car boot sale and the women were reunited with the recording by The One Show. Sir Paul wrote to them to thank them for their "lovely tape" and said "better late than never".
(Jim Evans)
