Gary Barlow to give once-in-a-lifetime concerts on P&O Cruises – when is he onboard?

P&O Cruises has today announced the 2024 dates for two charity shows by one of Britain’s best-loved singer-songwriters, Gary Barlow, onboard Iona.

When will Gary Barlow perform on P&O Cruises?

Following sell-out shows in 2022 and 2023, Barlow will once again take to the stage under the lights of Headliners Theatre onboard Iona on two sailings from Southampton, departing on September 21 2024 and October 5, 2024.

How can I get Gary Barlow tickets on P&O Cruises?

Guests who want to be in with a chance to secure a seat in one of the performances will purchase raffle tickets on board for £10, with proceeds from ticket sales donated to Teenage Cancer Trust and Child Bereavement UK.

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What does Gary Barlow do with P&O Cruises?

Through Gary’s partnership with P&O Cruises as music director of The 710 Club on Arvia and Iona, an eclectic range of performances are showcased onboard, curated to appeal to British music lovers.

The late-night music venue is exclusively for adults and offers an opportunity for up-and-coming musicians to get their break.

Gary Barlow said of the latest announcement: “I’m so proud to be P&O Cruises’ music director and I can’t wait to be back onboard Iona to put on two more nights of exclusive performances for guests. There’s something magical about sharing my passion for music with the guests onboard whilst fundraising for two incredible charities.”

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Who is Gary Barlow?

Gary Barlow is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters and record producers. As part of pop group Take That, he has won eight BRIT Awards and sold over 45 million records.

Aside from his achievements with Take That, he has also released six solo albums, including his acclaimed Number 1 album, ‘Music Played By Humans’.

In 2022, in a project unlike anything he’s ever done before, Gary hit the road with his critically acclaimed theatrical one-man stage show, A Different Stage, which saw him performing to sell-out audiences across the UK.

Take That will hit the road in April this year for a huge world tour, playing to sell-out venues across the UK and Europe, before heading to Australia and South Africa, later this year.

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What’s the P&O Take That musical about?

The Take That Musical is an adaptation of the acclaimed West End musical The Band, featuring the songs of Take That – although Gary Barlow does not perform himself! The story of the show is by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth – and Arvia is the only place in the world where guests can watch it.

Passengers will be toe-tapping and singing along in no time thanks to the many bangers include in the show. Hits by Take That include Never Forget, Back for Good, A Million Love Songs, Greatest Day, The Flood, Relight My Fire, Shine and Rule the World.

As for the plot line, Greatest Days centres on five 16-year-old girls in 1993 for whom Take That is their world. The musical follows the group of girls as they reunite after 25 years apart and try to fulfil their dream of meeting the Take That hitmakers whose music became the soundtrack to their lives.

The members of Take That said of the show coming to P&O ship Arvia: “Almost ten years ago, we had the idea of writing a musical with our songs. It was a big wish of ours to make a show with Take That’s music, but without us – not the story of our lives.

“Our wishes came true and five years ago we debuted The Band Musical to the world. Now we couldn’t be prouder to bring the story to P&O Cruises under its new name – Greatest Days. In Tim Firth we found an author who invented a completely different and wonderful story to which our music makes the perfect frame.

“A story with a lot of heart and friendship. A musical that shows how music brings friends together. The story works so wonderfully, you don’t even have to know our music!”