TICKETS are on sale for a special fundraising event to celebrate our 125th anniversary.

This is one that musical fans will not want to miss as West End star Gerard Carey and his musical director David Harrington come to Newport’s Coldra Court Hotel near the Celtic Manor Resort for a musical extravaganza on Sunday July 16.

The event, which starts at 2.30pm and includes a three-course lunch, will be a musical celebration as Mr Carey explains: “It’s a celebration of songs past and present. There will be some old tunes people will recognise, but it is integrated with humour and audience participation.

The event is a must for all theatre and musical fans, and will feature a raft of songs performed by actor Mr Carey, who is currently starring in the West End in the Cameron Mackintosh production of Half a Sixpence, recently played Lord Farquaad in the award-winning Shrek musical.

The actor has appeared in the BBC series Torchwood and Love Soup. Music is in his blood with his parents appearing in variety shows in Wales.

Mr Carey added: “I love performing in front of a Welsh audience. I don’t get back to Wales much because most of my work is in London, but it’s where my roots are and it’s where I started honing my craft in front of audiences.

“The Welsh have an openness and a willingness to laugh and be entertained. Music is in the Welsh genetic makeup, so people love to hear good music and they like a good laugh.”

The event will raise funds for our 125 Appeal to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care in Newport. The money raised will help with running costs for the hospice which cares for more than 3,200 patients and families every year, at a cost of more than £7.5 million.

Mr Carey’s own mother died of cancer in 2008 and she received end of life care from a hospice, and so the 125 Appeal is a cause that is close to his heart.

He said: “I lost my mum to cancer and she received palliative care. I just whole-heartedly support the work that is needed in this field. It is great to support the work of a hospice like St David’s Hospice Care.”

Mr Carey’s partner Emma Beecham is research associate at the Louis Dundas Centre for Children’s Palliative Care at the University College London and they say that the work that hospices doo is central to their lives.It is great to support the work of a hospice like St David’s Hospice Care,” he said.

The evening is organised in conjunction with Applause Productions, a company that creates entertainment specifically for each event.

Tickets are on sale now for £35 which includes a three-course meal and entrance to the event.

For tickets contact Heather Symonds on 01633 777046.