A Whitehaven cinema is set to play host to live music for the first time.
The Gaiety Cinema, which first opened in 1922 on Tangier Street, is getting ready to do something different with its cinema space, by hosting what is believed to be its first ever in-person live music event.
Cinema manager Laura Davidson said the idea came from rising-star musician Logan Paul Murphy, 18, of Workington, while he was busy filming a music video in the venue.
She said: “Logan contacted us to see if we’d be able to let them film in the cinema for a music video and it all started from there really.
“He then asked if there was an opportunity for him to do a live performance at the Gaiety because of its history within the town and we thought it would be a nice opportunity to revisit live events and see if there’s a market for it.
“Previously we have done live events like comedy nights and it is something we have looked at potentially doing again, just as a new use for the space really as its a community asset with it being in central Whitehaven.
“We’re well supported by the town, so its a good chance for us to see if we can do a little bit more with the space outside of showing films.”
Logan’s manager and Dad Lee said he felt hosting live music in the Gaiety was a chance to bring something new to the town.
He said: “We just thought it’s something a bit different for Whitehaven. The Gaiety has had things like comedy nights before Covid, but they’ve never had live music before.
“The town has always been one of his biggest supporters because he’s been performing full-time since he was 14 years old, so he’s played every single venue in the town.
“He doesn’t play in the town so much now as he’s playing further afield and doing more theatre shows, but every time we do he sells out a venue, so we thought let’s try something a bit different and a bit bigger and see what we can do.
“I’m from Whitehaven originally and I remember going to the Gaiety to see my first ever film and it was Grease and I remember queuing around the block for it with my mam.
“It’s a lovely theatre, there’s not many picturehouses like it anymore, it’s all reclining chairs and things now, but going into the Gaiety is like going back in time.”
Logan, who first rose to popularity at just 13-years-old with his covers of Beatles songs, is now getting ready to perform his Beatles versus Elton John theatre show in the venue in March.
Tickets are already selling out fast – with over 120 seats already sold in the 240 seat venue.
Logan said: “We played at Rosehill Theatre and the Theatre Royal in Workington last year and sold them both out and this year I wanted to do something a little bit different.
“When we recorded the music video for one of my original songs in the Gaiety, as soon as I walked in I just loved it, it has that old style feel to it.
“The show is totally different to a gig, as we have themes for shows, and this year it’s a Beatles and an Elton John show but with a little help from their friends like Billy Joel who went on tour with Elton, so there’s a lot of stories to tell.
“I’m always excited to do theatre work because people buy the ticket to come and see you, which is a lot different to playing in a pub with people just coming in, so I do love it.”
The show will take place on Thursday March 20 at 7.30pm. Ticket information can be found on Logan’s website or purchased at The Gaiety.
Logan was quickly scooped up into the music industry aged 13, when he was spotted busking in Liverpool by the managers of the world-famous Cavern Club.
He became the youngest person to ever perform in the iconic venue and has continued to perform there since. He has also been regularly invited to perform at International Beatleweek.
While he initially became popular for his covers of Beatles songs – he also plays piano and often covers songs from other popular artists of the 60s and 70s including Elton John.
The youngster now travels and performs across the UK and recently featured on Channel 4’s hit show The Piano.
Last year he released his debut album Yet To Fly and he has also recently finished recording for his second original album.
Logan has amassed a following of over 70,000 people from across the world on social media and is planning to further his theatre shows in the coming years.
