A TRIBUTE to the songbird Eva Cassidy is due to pack the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage. Over the Rainbow is a musical telling the story of the legendary artist, following her life growing up in a musical family right through to her tragic death. Befor

A TRIBUTE to the songbird Eva Cassidy is due to pack the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage.

Over the Rainbow is a musical telling the story of the legendary artist, following her life growing up in a musical family right through to her tragic death.

Before she died in 1996, aged just 33, Eva was unknown in the USA outside Washington, but within two years she was discovered by Terry Wogan who promoted her music to the top of the album charts in the UK.

She is now loved worldwide and a cast of actors and musicians bring her story and recreate her original arrangements to the stage.

The show hopes to pay a heartfelt tribute to an artist who wasn't interested in fame and fortune, but wanted nothing more than to create beautiful music.

The performance is for one night only, on Thursday, February 9, at 7.45pm and tickets are £16.50.

* FOR opera lovers, George Bizet's enchanting The Pearl Fishers performed by Swansea City Opera, comes to the Gordon Craig.

Set in a fishing village in ancient Ceylon, the story follows two fishermen, Zurga and Nadir, as they recall a pact they made not to pursue Leila, a woman for whom both had developed a deep affection.

Leila appears one day veiled, praying for the safety of the fishermen on their upcoming voyage but not revealing her identity.

When Leila finally uncovers the truth about the pact, she pits the old friends against each other, creating a deadly love-triangle.

The production promises to be a visual, dramatic spectacle, with elegant, classical costumes and a seductive score including the famous Au Fond du Temple Saint.

The concert starts at 7.45pm on Saturday, February 11.

For information and tickets for both dates, call the box office on 08700 131 030 or visit www.gordon-craig.co.uk