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Following the phenomenal success of last year’s concerts English Heritage is thrilled to announce they have appointed the same team, independent concert producers Portal Events Ltd, to produce the much-loved Summer Concerts at Audley End House and Gardens for the next five years! And 2013 is already a contender for the place to be this summer with a fantastic line up of music acts & displays spread over two summer weekends - Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 and Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 August 2013.

Saturday 3 August - The Greatest 80’s Party…Ever!

Opening up the festivities will be ‘The Greatest 80’s Party…Ever!’ starring 80s artists Kim Wilde, ABC, Go West, Imagination, Odyssey, Cutting Crew and Sonia. So it’ll be the perfect excuse to get out those shoulder pads, leotards and leg warmers dress up and dance into a party frenzy to famous hit songs such as “Kids in America”, “Poison Arrow”, “The King of Wishful Thinking”, “Just an Illusion”, “Native New Yorker”, “Died In Your Arms Tonight” and “You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You”.

Sunday 4 August - Olivier Award winner Michael Ball

Then on Sunday 4th August Britain’s leading musical star and Olivier Award winner Michael Ball will be performing – ‘Sings the Muscials’ with the British Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Callum McLeod. Michael has starred on Broadway and dominated the marquees on many of the leading West End shows for more than two decades. A proven and varied talent, Michael has won acclaim and the hearts of the public with the numerous performances on stage and on television.

Saturday 10 August - Chart-topper Ronan Keating

Then Saturday 10 August will welcome to the stage chart-topper Ronan Keating who will be performing hits such as “When You Say Nothing At Alll”, “Life Is A Rollercoaster” and “If Tomorrow Never Comes”. With a career spanning over 20 years, Ronan has toured the world several times over and has sold over 42 million records worldwide, including the 13 million albums with Boyzone and 10 million albums as a solo artist. Supporting Ronan on the night are Sadie and the Hotheads, fronted by the actress Elizabeth McGovern (of ITV’s Downton Abbey) and the Saffron Walden based British Jazz sensation that is Joanna Eden.

Sunday 11 August - Welsh Songstress Katherine Jenkins

The concert series culminates with a spectacular concert from the Welsh songstress Katherine Jenkins accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra plus a special guest yet to be confirmed. The evening will include a dramatic Grace Spitfire display and stunning firework display, rounding off a perfect summer’s evening.

Lynsey Coombs, English Heritage’s General Manager at Audley End House, said: “We are delighted that we can go ahead with this year’s Picnic Concerts. It’s such a popular event in a beautiful setting and a wonderful way to spend a British summer’s evening.”

Portal Events Ltd, who will promote and manage the concerts, said: “In 2012 we came late to the party and managed to get the concerts up and running at really short notice. We were so overwhelmed with the support from both the Public and English Heritage that we were delighted when we were then awarded the long-term contract for the concerts at Audley End. It is a very exciting opportunity for us to both continue and also develop the concerts in coming years and hope that this years visitors will be impressed with the improvements we are now able to start making.”

Doors will open early for concert-goers to enjoy the East Park and picnic. There will be ample food and drink stalls as well as a bar and a concert shop.

• Car Parks Open: 14.30
• Doors Open: 16.30
• Concerts Starts: 19.30 (subject to license)

Buy Your Tickets

Ticket Prices:

Saturday 3 August - £35 (£32 for English Heritage members)
Sunday 4 August - £35 (£32 for English Heritage members)
Saturday 10 August - £35 (£32 for English Heritage Members)
Sunday 11 August - £32 (£30 for English Heritage Members)

NB There will be a 2.50% booking fee charged to the customer for credit card transactions (cash and debit cards will not incur any booking fee). Cheque payments cannot be accepted.

Ticket Sales:

• Online - www.audleyendconcerts.com (booking fees apply)
• Phone - See tickets – 0844 995 0995 (booking fees apply)
• Phone - Ticketmaster – 0844 844 0444 (booking fees apply)
• In Person from both Tourist Information Centres listed below:
  
  Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre
  1 Market Place
  Saffron Walden
  Essex CB10 1HR
  Opening times: March to October, Mon - Sat 9:30am - 5:30pm
  Bank Holidays 10:30am - 1:00pm (April to August only)
  
  Bishops Stortford Tourist Information Centre
  2 Market Square
  Bishop's Stortford, CM23 3UU
  Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 3pm
  Closed: Sundays and Bank Holidays

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