Alchemy Live were formed in 2020 by life long Dire Straits fans Martin Ledger and Neil Scott. Having dreamed of starting a Dire Straits tribute band for many years but neither having the time to do it due to both being busy full time musicians, the COVID pandemic and resultant lockdowns gave them that time in abundance.
Rehearsals started in 2021 after the worst of the pandemic was over & their first show scheduled in York for Friday the 13th of May 2022 (what could possibly go wrong)?
Much to the band’s surprise, their inaugural show quickly sold out and many were turned away at the door without tickets.
Further sell out shows followed around Yorkshire during the year and in January 2023 the band made their move into theatre shows.
“It has always been the ethos to concentrate on getting the music and sound right rather than just putting on headbands and shiny jackets. Dire Straits themselves were always about the music first and we are fully committed to upholding that” says front man Martin Ledger.
Every song choice is taken from a specific, classic live performance in Dire Straits’ history, for example the show’s opening song Money For Nothing is taken from their legendary performance at Live aid in 1985 and played note for note, except for the part where guest artist Sting sings the wrong words in the second verse!
Such attention to detail is carried on throughout the band’s tribute show, with every nuance of Mark Knopfler’s playing technique followed faithfully.
“He has these little percussive flourishes in his playing, which are really difficult to recreate but without them it’s just not Knopfler” – Martin ledger.
Venue Details
EAST RIDING THEATRE IS A COMMUNITY THEATRE, BASED IN BEVERLEY. Established in 2014, the venue was created from a former Victorian chapel and it oifers an intimate space for enjoying many types of entertainment, with a 200 seat auditorium and fully licensed Café Bar. The year-round programme of entertainment, includes theatre, music, comedy, spoken word and much more. Regular exhibitions of art are displayed within the Theatre Gallery. It is also a venue that is often used for festivals and other events. OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR THEATRE Without our Volunteers we would not have a theatre. They are passionate about the entertainment programme that we deliver and dedicated in making a contribution to our day-to-day activities throughout all areas of the theatre – whether it be welcoming our audience front-of-house, selling tickets in the box office, serving drink and food in our café bar, helping with maintenance, keeping the theatre clean or one of many other roles! BOX OFFICE & CAFÉ BAR OPENING TIMES Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm Saturday 10am – 2pm Onsite Café Vegetarian menu options Vegan Menu options Gluten Free menu options Local Brews Afternoon Tea The Theatre's facilities are also open at all times during any performance.
Facilities
Accessible Information Points
Accessible Toilets
Assistance Dogs
Baby Changing
Changing Places Toilet
Hearing Loop
Level Access
Onsite Cafe
Wheelchair Access
