JUGGLING a successful career as both a singer and an actress is no mean feat for anyone. Throw in an OBE for 'Services to
Music and Drama' and you know you have come across a sure-fire talent.
And, indeed, over the years Scottish singer Barbara Dickson has proved just such, establishing herself firmly in the public consciousness with a string of hit singles and albums as well as an array of television appearances on shows such as the Two Ronnies.
Now the 57-year-old will be re-living all of her hits when she plays Malvern's Forum Theatre in Grange Road tomorrow night.
The theatre's marketing officer Louise Russell said: "I'm sure this concert is going to be as successful as her previous ones here which have all been sell-outs."
Civil servant in Edinburgh by day and amateur folk-club singer by night, Dunfermline-born performer Barbara Dickson got her big break in 1974. It came about when Liverpool playwright Willy Russell offered her a singing and commentary role in his musical John, Paul, George, Ringo...and Bert.
Her first hit single, Answer Me, came in January 1976, with other hits following shortly afterwards - including Another Suitcase in Another Hall in 1977 and January, February in 1980.
She reached new heights in the mid-80s when she topped the charts with the single I Know Him So Well, a duet recorded with Elaine Page.
It was also during the 80s that she made the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers her own after Willy Russell approached her again to play the lead role.
Her list of achievements are long and weighty, topped off when was made an OBE in the 2002 New Year Honours List.
Now people will be able to experience for themselves her music when she performs in Malvern. Tickets are £20 and available from the box office on 01684 892277 or via www.malverntheatres.co.uk
But it was not just her talents on the stage which earnt her a following, with the performer also moving into television drama in the 90s
with roles in Band of Gold and Taggart.
Further accolades followed in 1999 when she picked up the Laurence Olivier and
Variety Club of Great Britain Showbusiness awards for Best Actress in a Musical.
They were presented to her for her lead role in the
musical Spend, Spend, Spend.
And
the icing on the cake came for her in when
, picking up the Society of West End Theatres Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her efforts.
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