Doncaster born West End star welcomes the return of live music with a performance at the Keepmoat

Rachael Wooding, accompanied by a grand piano placed at the centre of the football pitch at Keepmoat Stadium, sang Queen’s iconic anthems today.

The musical stunt was to celebrate a spectacular new outdoor concert series, Lakeside Live, coming to Doncaster this summer, and the return of live events after the pandemic.

Profits from the concerts are helping to support Doncaster Rovers Football Club, after what has been a difficult year financially for football clubs.

Rachael said: “We wanted to show the power of live events, such as football and music, that bring people together. Queen often performed in major sports stadiums. Music has the ability to uplift, to move us, to entertain and bring us together. This has been such a difficult year for performers, artists and musicians after our industry firmly shut since the first lockdown. So, this is a way to tell audiences, we’re well and truly back!”

The Doncaster born West End star has worked extensively in theatre including in West End Shows such as We Will Rock You, Cats and Starlight Express and is currently playing the role of Kit de Lucas in ‘Pretty Woman’ at the Savoy Theatre. She was a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent in 2016.

Lakeside Live features four concerts, including Queen Symphonic, the Rock ‘n’ Roll variety show That’ll Be The Day, an Evening at the Musicals featuring the stars of Les Misérables, the Barricade Boys, and Aled Jones who will host The Great Yorkshire Proms.

As well as acts such as Tenors Unlimited, known as the Rat Pack of Opera, The Great Yorkshire Proms will feature The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, a 50-piece orchestra specifically created to support professional Yorkshire-based freelance musicians who have been hit hard by the pandemic.

Ben Crick, conductor for Vivo Entertainment and the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, says: “Both entertainers and audiences have been without live music for too long and we can’t wait to be reunited. I know some national level musicians who have stacked shelves during the pandemic, and are so ready to get back to their true vocation.”

Melvin Besbrode, who runs the piano emporium Besbrode Pianos in Leeds, volunteered the piano.

Melvin said: “We wanted to be part of this celebration. At Besbrode Pianos, we have a track record of supporting musicians. Lockdown has shown how important music is, whether it’s the soundtrack on your Netflix series or marking milestone events in the news. We need music for our mental wellbeing. Just as we’ve looked after people’s physical health in the pandemic, now is the time for music to bring us back together.”

The Lakeside Live concerts are hosted from 19 to the 22 August, and will feature two spellbinding firework finales. Guests are invited to bring their own refreshments, chairs and blankets to enjoy a magical evening with the stars, under the stars, at the Keepmoat Amphitheatre.

The event has been created and designed to ensure potential government restrictions, including social distancing and household bubbles, can be adhered to. Additional safety measures such as on-site hand sanitising stations, additional toilets, and queuing systems will also be in place.

Tickets now on sale at www.vivolive.co.uk/doncaster

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.