Acropolis acrobats, from Deerness Gymnastics Academy in Durham, will join a host of other Geordie stars and underground entertainment legends on stage for ‘The Greatest Show on the Tyne’ at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Friday 2 September.
The acrobatic gymnasts, aged 11 to 22 and known as Acropolis, will include British, European and World Acrobatic Gymnastic Champions, as they close the show following a host of other performances including Sue Sweeney, Alfie Joey, Bobby Pattinson, Pete Peverley and Nat Lunatrick, all hosted by Chris Cross – the globetrotting Geordie Magician and escapologist.
Acropolis is the acrobatic entertainment group from Deerness Gymnastics Academy, the successful Durham gymnastics club. The group perform at corporate events and on TV in order to raise money for the club, which is now volunteer-led and a charity providing grassroots opportunities for many children and young people in the north-east.
The Greatest Show on The Tyne is presented by Newcastle’s favourite magician, Chris Cross, with the very best in North East variety, and a line-up of well-known Geordie legends appearing in one show at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Friday 2 September! It’s an eccentric show featuring magic, burlesque, live music, stand-up comedy, escapology and lots more madness.
“The Greatest Show on The Tyne is exactly what it says on the tin,” said Chris Cross. “My aim was to gather a bunch of awesome acts to put on a world-class variety show to raise the cabaret culture in the North East and I believe that’s what I’ve done. The combination of well-known Geordie entertainers with unheard of ‘underground’ acts will prove to be a really entertaining mix for the audience.
“When I met Acropolis at a corporate gig at the NewcastleGateshead Hilton earlier this year, I simply HAD TO invite them along to perform as their skills were obviously apparent! Forget Cirque Du Soleil when we’ve got talent, just as good, right here on our doorstep and what’s more is that tickets are accessible to EVERYONE as they’ve been priced at the super-affordable price of just £12 (£10 U’16’s) for this packed show starring 15 exceptionally talented acts in one big musichall-esque evening of extravagance!”
After winning the ITV1 show ‘Let’s Get Gold’ four years ago Acropolis were also runners-up in France’s TV talent show ‘The Best’ in 2013 and also appeared on ‘A League of their Own’ where James Corden described them as ‘the amazing Acropolis’, before touring twice with Diversity for the stadium tour Limitless.
“It is great for Acropolis to be performing in this show. We have lots of talented gymnasts at Deerness Gymnastics Academy and it’s great for group and the club that new gymnasts have been able to take up this fantastic opportunity this year,” said Stuart Thompson, Acropolis Coach and Head of Acrobatics at Deerness Gymnastics Academy.
“Although gymnastics is a hugely popular sport, acrobatics is a lesser-known discipline and it is great to be able to showcase it to a new audience again at the theatre. Acropolis also plays an important part in raising valuable income for our club as well as gaining our young gymnasts experience, so if the exposure can generate further bookings for Acropolis then this will be very beneficial to the future of the club.”
Over the past twenty years, Deerness Gymnastics Academy has become one of Britain’s top gymnastics clubs, developing over 100 international gymnasts with more than seventy World and European medals, including fifteen World and European Champions in its roll of honour. It is not only one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain but it is also recognised on the International scene as one of the top clubs in the world.
The club took over the running of Deerness Gymnastics Academy in 2011, following the closure of Deerness Leisure Centre and is making gymnastics coaching sessions with world-class coaches available to all ages from novice to elite level. Acropolis are helping to build a future for the club by earning valuable income for the charity.
“As a charitable body and volunteer-led club it is important that we continually look at additional ways to introduce additional income streams to keep the gym going,” said Stuart Thompson. “Our aim is to produce happy, healthy confident children and Acropolis is not only doing the club proud by helping us to achieve this aim but also inspiring more children to take up gymnastics.”
Acropolis are available for corporate and private events as well as and commercial opportunities. To find out more go to www.acropolis-live.com. Follow on Twitter @acropolislive or find on Facebook.
Tickets to ‘The Greatest Show on The Tyne’ are priced £12 general admission, £10 under 16s’s, £20 VIP, Groups buy 9 tickets and the 10th is free.
For more information: http://tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/events/chris-cross-presents-the-greatest-show-on-the-tyne/