Studio play of the weekend

Same Same Different, York Theatre Royal Studio, tonight and tomorrow, 7.45pm

NAOMI Sumner Chan’s verbatim play was inspired by her own experiences as a trans-racial adoptee, brought to England at the age of 15 months in the 1980s by a white northern Army family.

By focusing on what adoptees perceive as the similarities and differences between themselves and their family members, she asks: does nature or nurture most influence a person’s identity? A question that ultimately leads her back to her own sense of self and where she wants to belong.

York Press:

Campbells' scoop: York Barbican books UB40 for 40th anniversary gig

Friday night is...reggae music night

UB40, York Barbican, tonight, 7.30pm

BIRMINGHAM reggae veterans UB40 are on the road celebrating their 40th anniversary, aptly with 40 dates, after relesasing new album For The Many in March.

Not to be confused with brother Ali Campbell’s rival line-up, UB40 features Robin Campbell, fellow founders Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer and Norman Hassan, plus long-time members Duncan Campbell, Martin Meredith, Lawrence Parry and Tony Mullings.

Saxophonist Brian Travers will not be in line-up after undergoing surgery for a brain tumour the day before the tour started. He has been advised by doctors that his recovery will take six months.

A touch of brass at your fingertips

Brass try-out, York Railway Institute, York, Saturday, 2pm to 4pm

FANCY a play on a brass instrument but you have never tried or maybe you want to pick one up again?

Why not drop in for a free session at the York Railway Institute band room, close to the railway station, hosted by the Railway Institute’s Golden Rail Development Band, which welcomes recruits of any age.

Free cake and refreshments will be the reward for trying out an instrument of your choice, ranging from a mighty tuba to a dinky cornet.

In addition, anyone tempted to come to the band’s weekly Wednesday evening practices will receive the free loan of an instrument, free tuition and a free band uniform.

York Press:

Quality Strut: Magic Adam hosts cabaret night's Queen celebration at Micklegate Social

Cabaret Queen of the weekend

The Strut Club presents A Night At The Opera, Micklegate Social café bar, York, Saturday, 8pm, doors 7pm

THE dress code for Strut Club Cabaret's menagerie of delights will be Queen. "We want to see yellow leather, cloaks, crowns and of course handlebar moustaches," says resident star, puppeteer and artist Freddie Hayes.

Hosted by Magic Adam, alias York magician Adam Baxter, the night promises a Flash (Queen again!) line-up of comedian Kimi Laughton; house band Croft & Mullen, featuring York singer-songwriter and jazz chanteuse Rachel Croft and pianist Karl Mullen; more curiosities and delights, bingo and a raffle.

Mercury on the rise...again

Mercury, The Ultimate Queen Tribute, Grand Opera House, York, Sunday, 7.30pm

CELEBRATING their 20th anniversary on the road, Mercury present “The Ultimate Queen Tribute”, with affection for Freddie peaking anew in the wake of the award-garlanded Bohemian Rhapsody biopic.

This state-of-the-art theatre production “fully emulates the true charismatic appeal of rock’s most flamboyant front man, faithfully and accurately recreating the distinctive Queen experience”.

Up front will be Joseph Lee Jackson’s Freddie Mercury, while Glenn Scrimshaw handles the intricate guitar work of Brian May. "Freddie was an original. He and Queen were the best. But now, in this new century, Joseph, Glenn and Mercury are the next best thing,” says Jer Bulsara, Freddie’s mum.