REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
DIVERSITY
Presents
‘CONNECTED’ 2022 TOUR
CREATED BY ASHLEY BANJO
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
26th March 2022
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
DIVERSITY
Presents
‘CONNECTED’ 2022 TOUR
CREATED BY ASHLEY BANJO
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
26th March 2022
It’s been a long time coming but Diversity are finally able to get back to doing what they do best. Connected is the 10th show that Diversity are touring and it is more than worth the wait.
Lockdown has clearly been a big influence on how this show has been formed with the focus aimed at how every single one of us is able to be connected through the world wide web, whether it be by just a mobile phone text or call or largely through just what that small rectangular device most of us have in our pocket every day, can provide us with. The internet, FaceTime, social media, YouTube, and Google, to name just a few platforms, allow us a whole plethora of information at our fingertips. But, is this always a good thing?
Ashley Banjo leads the dance troupe, who have become a household name since they became Britain's Got Talent winners back in 2009, with their imaginative hip hop, contemporary and street dance choreography. Banjo provides the narrative of the show, rarely being off stage and is an integral part of almost every dance routine; not surprising really as the show is his creation.
It’s not until you see these guys and gals performing right in front of your eyes, that you can truly appreciate the talent that goes into every dance move. Their synchronicity is faultless and you cannot fail to be left in complete awe at some of the jaw-dropping acrobatics that they deliver.
Not only can they dance like you’ve never seen before, but they also show some great comedic skills and will have you cracking up during some numbers. There’s a fab Charlie Chaplin/black and white movie routine and the homage to Michael Jackson is outstanding. I also loved the routine that was dedicated to the girls of the troupe.
There’s a real sense of family within the troupe and this is borne out with a wonderfully touching moment where we see on screen, Ashley sending his mum a video that he’s put together with special moments of his son’s development throughout the lockdown period. The lockdown was a time when the communication aspects of the internet was appreciated more than ever, with loved ones being able to keep in touch and keep connected more than ever. A vital life-line for many.
The beginning of Act 2 really had the audience laughing out loud with a great skit played out on the huge backdrop screen, with the troupe searching for inspiration as to what they could perform for the rest of the show. I won’t spoil it, but you won’t be disappointed with the delightfully hilarious results.
There is, however, a serious moment in the show where we relive Diversity’s controversial 'Black Lives Matter' routine. Inspired by the killing of George Floyd, it gives a reflection of how the internet has the power to fuel hurt and hatred. Twenty five thousand people made a complaint after seeing it. Watching Diversity recreate this routine was truly one of the most powerful moments of the night and a massive endorsement in proving that if you believe in yourself, in your own self worth and create from the heart, then nothing else matters.
Essentially this is a show that will educate, inform, enlighten and most importantly entertain. It will make you laugh, cry, and leave you amazed at their awesome dance routines. The technology involved in creating this show is literally off the scale - they even dance with drones for goodness sake - you cannot fail to be in awe of just how brilliant a show this is and the outstanding talent within the Diversity family just keeps getting stronger and stronger. With many of the dancer’s having their own children now, I don’t think it will be long before there’s a Diversity Juniors troupe giving their peers a bit of competition!
If you didn’t manage to get to one of the shows last week, don’t despair because Connected returns to the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on the 18th and 19th June for 3 performances which include Meet and Greet packages and we are really excited to be able to see them performing once again in panto, when they return to the Cliffs Pavilion to star in Snow White this December.
REVIEW: KIM TOBIN
All tickets are available from www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk scroll down for more tour info
Lockdown has clearly been a big influence on how this show has been formed with the focus aimed at how every single one of us is able to be connected through the world wide web, whether it be by just a mobile phone text or call or largely through just what that small rectangular device most of us have in our pocket every day, can provide us with. The internet, FaceTime, social media, YouTube, and Google, to name just a few platforms, allow us a whole plethora of information at our fingertips. But, is this always a good thing?
Ashley Banjo leads the dance troupe, who have become a household name since they became Britain's Got Talent winners back in 2009, with their imaginative hip hop, contemporary and street dance choreography. Banjo provides the narrative of the show, rarely being off stage and is an integral part of almost every dance routine; not surprising really as the show is his creation.
It’s not until you see these guys and gals performing right in front of your eyes, that you can truly appreciate the talent that goes into every dance move. Their synchronicity is faultless and you cannot fail to be left in complete awe at some of the jaw-dropping acrobatics that they deliver.
Not only can they dance like you’ve never seen before, but they also show some great comedic skills and will have you cracking up during some numbers. There’s a fab Charlie Chaplin/black and white movie routine and the homage to Michael Jackson is outstanding. I also loved the routine that was dedicated to the girls of the troupe.
There’s a real sense of family within the troupe and this is borne out with a wonderfully touching moment where we see on screen, Ashley sending his mum a video that he’s put together with special moments of his son’s development throughout the lockdown period. The lockdown was a time when the communication aspects of the internet was appreciated more than ever, with loved ones being able to keep in touch and keep connected more than ever. A vital life-line for many.
The beginning of Act 2 really had the audience laughing out loud with a great skit played out on the huge backdrop screen, with the troupe searching for inspiration as to what they could perform for the rest of the show. I won’t spoil it, but you won’t be disappointed with the delightfully hilarious results.
There is, however, a serious moment in the show where we relive Diversity’s controversial 'Black Lives Matter' routine. Inspired by the killing of George Floyd, it gives a reflection of how the internet has the power to fuel hurt and hatred. Twenty five thousand people made a complaint after seeing it. Watching Diversity recreate this routine was truly one of the most powerful moments of the night and a massive endorsement in proving that if you believe in yourself, in your own self worth and create from the heart, then nothing else matters.
Essentially this is a show that will educate, inform, enlighten and most importantly entertain. It will make you laugh, cry, and leave you amazed at their awesome dance routines. The technology involved in creating this show is literally off the scale - they even dance with drones for goodness sake - you cannot fail to be in awe of just how brilliant a show this is and the outstanding talent within the Diversity family just keeps getting stronger and stronger. With many of the dancer’s having their own children now, I don’t think it will be long before there’s a Diversity Juniors troupe giving their peers a bit of competition!
If you didn’t manage to get to one of the shows last week, don’t despair because Connected returns to the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on the 18th and 19th June for 3 performances which include Meet and Greet packages and we are really excited to be able to see them performing once again in panto, when they return to the Cliffs Pavilion to star in Snow White this December.
REVIEW: KIM TOBIN
All tickets are available from www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk scroll down for more tour info
DIVERSITY
Presents
‘CONNECTED’ 2022 TOUR
CREATED BY ASHLEY BANJO
Southend's Cliffs Pavilion 18th & 19th June 2022
DIVERSITY’S CONNECTED TOUR NOW TOTALS 78 SHOWS - THEIR BIGGEST EVER TOUR TO DATE
120,000 TICKETS ONSALE IN THEATRES AND ARENAS ACROSS THE UK AND IRELAND
DIVERSITY TO VISIT 33 TOWNS & CITIES IN 4 MONTHS IN 2022
Presents
‘CONNECTED’ 2022 TOUR
CREATED BY ASHLEY BANJO
Southend's Cliffs Pavilion 18th & 19th June 2022
DIVERSITY’S CONNECTED TOUR NOW TOTALS 78 SHOWS - THEIR BIGGEST EVER TOUR TO DATE
120,000 TICKETS ONSALE IN THEATRES AND ARENAS ACROSS THE UK AND IRELAND
DIVERSITY TO VISIT 33 TOWNS & CITIES IN 4 MONTHS IN 2022
DIVERSITY NOMINATED AT THIS YEAR’S TV BAFTAS FOR MUST-SEE MOMENT
ASHLEY AND JORDAN'S CHILDREN'S BOOK FLY HIGH CREW IS OUT NOW
ASHLEY AND JORDAN'S CHILDREN'S BOOK FLY HIGH CREW IS OUT NOW
Due to phenomenal demand Diversity have added 10 extra dates to their ‘Connected’ 2022 tour taking in a staggering 78 shows, their biggest ever tour to date. The tour will now visit 33 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland over four months from March 17th to June 19th. Tickets for the extra dates go onsale Friday 30th April at 10am at www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
Diversity took the nation by storm when they won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and have so far sold out nine UK and Irish tours, sold over 600,000 tickets, with countless television and live performances.
Over the past 12 years thanks to the overwhelming support of their fans and the British public they have continued to wow audiences and inspire people around the world. Ashley and Jordan Banjo are passionate about their storytelling on stage and have now put pen to paper to release their first children’s book FLY HIGH CREW. ‘Fly High Crew’ out now via Scholastic is a brilliantly fun story that champions inclusivity, the importance of teamwork, realising your dreams and is centralised by Ashley and Jordan’s sibling relationship and dynamic.
Apart from their incredible live shows, Diversity are undoubtedly certified TV superstars. Ashley Banjo returned as a judge on Dancing on Ice earlier this year. Ashley is also host and creative in the BAFTA nominated The Real Full Monty and International Emmy Award, Broadcast Award, and Royal Television Society award winning The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night, with both shows raising awareness of Prostate and Breast Cancer respectively. Ashley was also behind two hit series of Flirty Dancing on Channel 4 and appeared as a guest judge in place of Simon Cowell on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent last year. He is hosting a brand new Saturday night show for ITV, The Void that will be airing in July 2021.
Fellow Diversity member Jordan Banjo hosted two series of BBC 1’s primetime and BAFTA nominated show The Greatest Dancer. Jordan along with Perri Kiely are also part of breakfast radio royalty, presenting Kiss Breakfast every weekday.
Collectively Diversity have just been nominated for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of 2020 at the British Academy Television Awards in June for their incredible Britain’s Got Talent routine inspired by the events of last year, vote here and watch again here.
Diversity’s illustrious career shows how they continue to innovate, grow, and achieve. This new tour evolution proves just how far they’ve come with their biggest UK and Ireland run to date. Tickets for the extra dates to Diversity’s connected tour 2022 are onsale Friday 30th April at 10am at www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.ie for Ireland. VIP Packages are also available via www.sjm-vip.com. All other dates are onsale now.
DIVERSITY – CONNECTED UK TOUR 2022
EXTRA DATES ONSALE FRIDAY 30TH APRIL AT 10AM
Thu 07 Apr 2022 London Palladium
Wed 27 Apr 2022 York Barbican
Sat 11 Jun 2022 Ipswich Regent MATINEE
Sat 11 Jun 2022 Ipswich Regent
Mon 13 Jun 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Tue 14 Jun 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Thu 16 Jun 2022 Stockton Globe
Sat 18 Jun 2022 Southend Cliffs Pavilion MATINEE
Sat 18 Jun 2022 Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Sun 19 Jun 2022 Southend Cliffs Pavilion
*RESCHEDULED DATES - ORIGINAL TICKETS REMAIN VALID*
Mon 28 Mar 2022 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Tue 29 Mar 2022 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Fri 01 Apr 2022 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Sat 02 Apr 2022 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall MATINEE
Sun 03 Apr 2022 Hull Bonus Arena MATINEE
Mon 04 Apr 2022 York Barbican
Fri 08 Apr 2022 London Palladium
Sat 09 Apr 2022 London Palladium MATINEE
Sat 09 Apr 2022 London Palladium
Sun 10 Apr 2022 London Palladium MATINEE
Thu 14 Apr 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Fri 15 Apr 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Sat 16 Apr 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre MATINEE
Sat 16 Apr 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Mon 18 Apr 2022 Northampton Derngate
Tue 19 Apr 2022 Northampton Derngate
Wed 20 Apr 2022 Northampton Derngate
Fri 22 Apr 2022 Blackpool Opera House
Sat 23 Apr 2022 Edinburgh Usher Hall
Sun 24 Apr 2022 Halifax Victoria Theatre MATINEE
Sun 24 Apr 2022 Halifax Victoria Theatre
Fri 29 Apr 2022 Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Sat 30 Apr 2022 Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Sun 01 May 2022 Sheffield City Hall MATINEE
Sun 01 May 2022 Sheffield City Hall
Mon 02 May 2022 Carlisle Sands Centre
Thu 05 May 2022 Manchester Opera House
Fri 06 May 2022 Manchester Opera House
Sat 07 May 2022 Manchester Opera House MATINEE
Sat 07 May 2022 Manchester Opera House
Sun 08 May 2022 Harrogate Convention Centre
Wed 11 May 2022 Guildford G Live
Thu 12 May 2022 Guildford G Live
Fri 13 May 2022 Guildford G Live
Sat 14 May 2022 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena MATINEE
Sun 15 May 2022 Plymouth Pavilions
Tue 17 May 2022 Gateshead Sage
Wed 18 May 2022 Gateshead Sage
Thu 19 May 2022 Glasgow King's Theatre (from 30 May 2021 matinee show)
Fri 20 May 2022 Glasgow King's Theatre
Sat 21 May 2022 Glasgow King's Theatre MATINEE
Sat 21 May 2022 Glasgow King's Theatre
Tue 24 May 2022 Stoke-On-Trent Regent Theatre
Wed 25 May 2022 Stoke-On-Trent Regent Theatre
Thu 26 May 2022 Stoke-On-Trent Regent Theatre
Sat 28 May 2022 Bournemouth International Centre MATINEE
Sat 28 May 2022 Bournemouth International Centre
Sun 29 May 2022 Brighton Centre MATINEE
Sun 29 May 2022 Brighton Centre
Mon 30 May 2022 Oxford New Theatre
Tue 31 May 2022 Oxford New Theatre
Thu 02 Jun 2022 Belfast Waterfront
Fri 03 Jun 2022 Dublin 3Arena (from Sat 5th June 2021 matinee)
Sun 05 Jun 2022 Bristol Hippodrome MATINEE
Sun 05 Jun 2022 Bristol Hippodrome
Mon 06 Jun 2022 Bristol Hippodrome
Fri 10 Jun 2022 Ipswich Regent
Wed 15 Jun 2022 Stockton Globe
Diversity took the nation by storm when they won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and have so far sold out nine UK and Irish tours, sold over 600,000 tickets, with countless television and live performances.
Over the past 12 years thanks to the overwhelming support of their fans and the British public they have continued to wow audiences and inspire people around the world. Ashley and Jordan Banjo are passionate about their storytelling on stage and have now put pen to paper to release their first children’s book FLY HIGH CREW. ‘Fly High Crew’ out now via Scholastic is a brilliantly fun story that champions inclusivity, the importance of teamwork, realising your dreams and is centralised by Ashley and Jordan’s sibling relationship and dynamic.
Apart from their incredible live shows, Diversity are undoubtedly certified TV superstars. Ashley Banjo returned as a judge on Dancing on Ice earlier this year. Ashley is also host and creative in the BAFTA nominated The Real Full Monty and International Emmy Award, Broadcast Award, and Royal Television Society award winning The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night, with both shows raising awareness of Prostate and Breast Cancer respectively. Ashley was also behind two hit series of Flirty Dancing on Channel 4 and appeared as a guest judge in place of Simon Cowell on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent last year. He is hosting a brand new Saturday night show for ITV, The Void that will be airing in July 2021.
Fellow Diversity member Jordan Banjo hosted two series of BBC 1’s primetime and BAFTA nominated show The Greatest Dancer. Jordan along with Perri Kiely are also part of breakfast radio royalty, presenting Kiss Breakfast every weekday.
Collectively Diversity have just been nominated for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of 2020 at the British Academy Television Awards in June for their incredible Britain’s Got Talent routine inspired by the events of last year, vote here and watch again here.
Diversity’s illustrious career shows how they continue to innovate, grow, and achieve. This new tour evolution proves just how far they’ve come with their biggest UK and Ireland run to date. Tickets for the extra dates to Diversity’s connected tour 2022 are onsale Friday 30th April at 10am at www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.ie for Ireland. VIP Packages are also available via www.sjm-vip.com. All other dates are onsale now.
DIVERSITY – CONNECTED UK TOUR 2022
EXTRA DATES ONSALE FRIDAY 30TH APRIL AT 10AM
Thu 07 Apr 2022 London Palladium
Wed 27 Apr 2022 York Barbican
Sat 11 Jun 2022 Ipswich Regent MATINEE
Sat 11 Jun 2022 Ipswich Regent
Mon 13 Jun 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Tue 14 Jun 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Thu 16 Jun 2022 Stockton Globe
Sat 18 Jun 2022 Southend Cliffs Pavilion MATINEE
Sat 18 Jun 2022 Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Sun 19 Jun 2022 Southend Cliffs Pavilion
*RESCHEDULED DATES - ORIGINAL TICKETS REMAIN VALID*
Mon 28 Mar 2022 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Tue 29 Mar 2022 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Fri 01 Apr 2022 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Sat 02 Apr 2022 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall MATINEE
Sun 03 Apr 2022 Hull Bonus Arena MATINEE
Mon 04 Apr 2022 York Barbican
Fri 08 Apr 2022 London Palladium
Sat 09 Apr 2022 London Palladium MATINEE
Sat 09 Apr 2022 London Palladium
Sun 10 Apr 2022 London Palladium MATINEE
Thu 14 Apr 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Fri 15 Apr 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Sat 16 Apr 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre MATINEE
Sat 16 Apr 2022 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
Mon 18 Apr 2022 Northampton Derngate
Tue 19 Apr 2022 Northampton Derngate
Wed 20 Apr 2022 Northampton Derngate
Fri 22 Apr 2022 Blackpool Opera House
Sat 23 Apr 2022 Edinburgh Usher Hall
Sun 24 Apr 2022 Halifax Victoria Theatre MATINEE
Sun 24 Apr 2022 Halifax Victoria Theatre
Fri 29 Apr 2022 Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Sat 30 Apr 2022 Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Sun 01 May 2022 Sheffield City Hall MATINEE
Sun 01 May 2022 Sheffield City Hall
Mon 02 May 2022 Carlisle Sands Centre
Thu 05 May 2022 Manchester Opera House
Fri 06 May 2022 Manchester Opera House
Sat 07 May 2022 Manchester Opera House MATINEE
Sat 07 May 2022 Manchester Opera House
Sun 08 May 2022 Harrogate Convention Centre
Wed 11 May 2022 Guildford G Live
Thu 12 May 2022 Guildford G Live
Fri 13 May 2022 Guildford G Live
Sat 14 May 2022 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena MATINEE
Sun 15 May 2022 Plymouth Pavilions
Tue 17 May 2022 Gateshead Sage
Wed 18 May 2022 Gateshead Sage
Thu 19 May 2022 Glasgow King's Theatre (from 30 May 2021 matinee show)
Fri 20 May 2022 Glasgow King's Theatre
Sat 21 May 2022 Glasgow King's Theatre MATINEE
Sat 21 May 2022 Glasgow King's Theatre
Tue 24 May 2022 Stoke-On-Trent Regent Theatre
Wed 25 May 2022 Stoke-On-Trent Regent Theatre
Thu 26 May 2022 Stoke-On-Trent Regent Theatre
Sat 28 May 2022 Bournemouth International Centre MATINEE
Sat 28 May 2022 Bournemouth International Centre
Sun 29 May 2022 Brighton Centre MATINEE
Sun 29 May 2022 Brighton Centre
Mon 30 May 2022 Oxford New Theatre
Tue 31 May 2022 Oxford New Theatre
Thu 02 Jun 2022 Belfast Waterfront
Fri 03 Jun 2022 Dublin 3Arena (from Sat 5th June 2021 matinee)
Sun 05 Jun 2022 Bristol Hippodrome MATINEE
Sun 05 Jun 2022 Bristol Hippodrome
Mon 06 Jun 2022 Bristol Hippodrome
Fri 10 Jun 2022 Ipswich Regent
Wed 15 Jun 2022 Stockton Globe