Six music shows planned for Connaught Gardens this summer

Live music concerts are to take place at Connaught Gardens this summer.

The acts are expected to include the 'supergroup' from Les Miserables, The Barricade Boys; a Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons tribute act, and the Charles Court Opera.

Six shows will be put on by Paul Taylor-Mills, the producer behind the hugely popular Summer Play Season at the Manor Pavilion Theatre.

No dates for the shows have been given yet.

Mr Taylor Mills originally approached East Devon District Council's Events team with a proposal for 19 shows over three and a half weeks.

But when Sidmouth Town Council were asked for their views, they expressed concern about the number of concerts and the potential level of noise.

In response, Mr Taylor Mills agreed to scale down his plans, and the revised programme went before Sidmouth councillors on Monday evening.

They agreed to support the use of Connaught Gardens for the concerts 'due to the unprecedented ongoing Covid situation and restrictions', but said this should not set a precedent for future years.

They requested that 'the direction of amplified sound and decibel levels should be strictly controlled and monitored with concerts ending no later than 10pm'.

Members also said consideration should be given to food outlets, alcohol licensing, toilet facilities, security fencing and possible damage to the gardens and flower beds.

They said if food and drink was to be sold, it should be sourced from locally made produce.

Summer Play Season programme for 2021

Meanwhile, the Summer Play Season is to go ahead at the Manor Pavilion Theatre, running from Tuesday, June 22 until Saturday, September 25.

There are six plays and a musical on the bill; Alan Ayckbourn's Living Together; Murder With Love by Frances Durbridge; Ding Dong by Marc Camoletti and Tudor Gates; California Suite by Neil Simon; Spider's Web by Agatha Christie; Sailor Beware by Philip King and Falkland Cary, and Clue – The Musical.

The theatre will operate under whatever Government guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of customers.

For more information on performance dates, and to book tickets online, visit the Manor Pavilion Theatre's website.