THE hugely popular NSW Premier's Christmas Gala Concerts are on again - and, for the first time, those unable to attend can still sing along to their favourite carols via an edited version online.
"No matter where you are, this video is our way of bringing the Christmas celebrations right to you," said Minister for Ageing Tanya Davies.
Ms Davies said the Christmas concerts toured different locations each year to ensure as many seniors as possible could attend.
"These concerts are our Christmas gift to seniors - as a small thank you from the NSW Government for your contributions to your families and communities across the state."
Tickets are now available for the free concerts to be held at Taree, Grafton, Port Macquarie and Queanbeyan.
This year's entertainers include Peter Cousens, well known for his performances on stage and screen including being the only Australian to play the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera on London's West End, as well as performing alongside Russel Crowe in Blood Brothers and Richard Harris in Camelot. He also directed the film Freedom, which was released world-wide in 2015 and is an ambassador for the White Ribbon Campaign.
Appearing with Peter will be his daughter Daisy, who performed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony and also appeared in the corporate dance show Celtic Magic. She has appeared in Floyd Collins in Concert, was a featured performer in Peter Cousens' Cabaret: Broadway Babies, and was a cast member of Hats Off 2011.
Also on the entertainment line-up is Darren Coggan, who kicked off 2010 by performing to a sold-out concert hall at the Sydney Opera House in his highly acclaimed production Peace Train - The Cat Stevens Story. This show continued to inspire, playing to standing ovations and critical acclaim as it lapped the country from 2012-14, playing every major theatre in Australia. In 2016, Darren was awarded Male Artist of the Year at the Australian Celtic Music Awards, and has most recently released his long awaited new album The Wide Horizon.
Completing the line-up is Ashleigh Rubenach, who made her professional debut in the 2015 national tour of Anything Goes, and toured with GFO's production of The Sound of Music.
Concert details:
Taree - Manning Entertainment Centre, 33 Manning River Road, Taree.
Friday, November 17, 10.30am and 2pm
Tickets from the box office (Tuesday to Friday, 10am-1pm), phone (02) 6592-5466, online or by visiting the Stockland Forster Information Desk.
Grafton -Saraton Theatre, 99 Prince Street, Grafton.
Friday, November 24, 10.30am.
Tickets from the box office (Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 8pm).
Port Macquarie -Glasshouse Theatre, corner of Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie.
Tuesday, November 28, 10.30am and 2pm.
Tickets from the box office (Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm), phone (02) 6581-8888 or online
Queanbeyan -The Q Theatre, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan.
Thursday, December 21, 10.30am and 2pm.
Tickets from the box office (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-2pm) or phone (02) 6285-6290.
The concert can be downloaded online from December 11 www.nswseniorsfestival.com.au/events/christmas_concerts
Keep an eye out for where you can watch the concert online closer to the date.
