37-475: The Adventures were a Northern Irish rock/pop band, formed in Belfast in 1984 who had a number of hits during the 1980s and early 1990s. The band moved to London where they signed to Chrysalis Records and released their first single in 1984. Following their debut album, the group moved to Elektra Records and scored their biggest hit, " Broken Land ". Written by guitarist Pat Gribben, it reached number 20 in
74-432: A Lonely Heart " among others. On 1 and 3 June 2013 performed " Make Our Garden Grow " with Barbra Streisand at two The O2 Arena concerts of her Barbra Live tour. As was found out that the duet partners Il Volo cancelled on the day of the concert itself, Molloy was immediately called up with little time for rehearsal. In 2009 released two albums Sing's Frankie and Human , on 23 September 2013 single "Turn on
111-571: A musical Che Guevara's Night Off he wrote and starred in. In September-October 2016 at Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone , played Hades/Devil in a rock musical 27 choreographed and co-directed by Arlene Phillips , partly based on Greek mythology, telling "the story of a musician following a path of self-destruction at the age of 27 ". Molloy finds inspiring helping new small-scale projects using his profile, working with young people on new ideas and writing. Shenton said that Molloy "set free at last from his Jersey Boys high notes – has matured nicely into
148-472: A number of dramatic roles, including Los Angeles production of The Picked Cerebrum , and London productions of Betrayal and Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth . In 2003 starred in the West End hit Taboo , playing Steve Strange alongside Boy George and Lyn Paul . In 2004, he gained a chorus role in the controversial production of Jerry Springer – The Opera , where Molloy
185-472: A quartet, The Adventures returned in 1992 with the single " Raining All Over the World ". Now signed to Polydor Records , the song reached No. 68, and was to be the group's final chart appearance. A fourth album, Lions and Tigers and Bears , was released in 1993, produced by ex-Vibrators bassist Pat Collier at London's Greenhouse Recording Studios. Despite featuring a new single, a contemporary reworking of
222-570: A strong sense of Britishness also. Following the Home Rule Crisis and Irish War of Independence , Protestants gradually began to abandon Irish identity, as Irishness and Britishness came to be seen moreso as mutually exclusive. In 1968 – just before the onset of the Troubles – 39% of Protestants described themselves as British and 20% of Protestants described themselves as Irish, while 32% chose an Ulster identity. By 1978, following
259-890: A way of overcoming sectarian division. In a 1998 survey of students, this was one of the main reasons they gave for choosing that identity, along with a desire to appear 'neutral'. However, surveys show that 'Northern Irish' identity tends to have different meanings for Catholics and Protestants. Surveys also show that those choosing 'Northern Irish' alone regard their national identity as less important than those choosing British and Irish. In recent Northern Ireland censuses, respondents could choose more than one national identity. In 2021: The main national identities given in recent censuses were: The numbers for each identity were as follows: 1,073,200 respondents total. 1,137,546 respondents total. National Identity by Religion (2011) Those people in Northern Ireland who fall into
296-526: A year after its release. The band combined pop/rock with a folk music sound for their third studio album, Trading Secrets with the Moon . Released in early 1990, along with a couple of singles, the album failed to capitalise on their earlier success and only appeared briefly on the UK Albums Chart , stalling at No. 64. This ended their contract with Elektra. With another rethink and now down to
333-597: Is Irish . He lives in east London. His sister Michelle Molloy is a photo editor at Time magazine in New York. He "was obsessed with John Hughes movies as a kid", Barbra Streisand 's Hello Dolly soundtrack was his childhood introduction to performance, while Donny Hathaway 's Collection inspired his voice and style. Molloy supports Children in Need , Graham Wylie Foundation, Donkey Sanctuary and Cedarwood Trust charities. In September 2017, Molloy took part in
370-875: Is a Stranger " at Eurythmics Songbook concert at Royal Festival Hall . He also appeared at Jools Hollands ' Jam House Club for the Edinburgh Festival in August 2006, together with his band Suntan. Molloy stayed in touch with Trevor Horn and on several occasions was part of his live The Trevor Horn Band and contributing lead vocals for "Freeway", "Man on the Moon", and "Stay Elaine" on studio album Made in Basing Street (2012), including lately in 2018 at Queen Elizabeth Hall , in 2019 at Cornbury Music Festival , 2021 at Rewind Festival , and 2022 at Cropredy Music Festival performing live FGTH's "Two Tribes", "Relax", " Power of Love " and Yes 's " Owner of
407-464: The Newcastle 's 1998 FA Cup final . However, after four years, his music career "just didn't work out". On 31 October 2004, Molloy was chosen from 200 candidates as the new lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood , appearing on 11 November in a special charity show for The Prince’s Trust at Wembley Arena celebrating Trevor Horn 's 25 years as a record producer, performing live " Welcome to
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#1732765596075444-577: The UK Singles Chart and spending 10 weeks on the chart. It was quickly followed up by the album, The Sea of Love , which reached No. 30 and also remained on the charts for 10 weeks. The follow-up singles, " Drowning in the Sea of Love " and "One Step From Heaven", stalled at No. 44 and No. 82 respectively, though the album was certified Silver (for 60,000 copies sold) by the BPI in 1989,
481-456: The UK Singles Chart , and became the most played song on BBC Radio 1 in 1988. The band were actively recording and touring from 1984 up until 1993, but despite being managed by the highly-influential Simon Fuller , The Adventures never achieved a significant commercial breakthrough. The band have reformed several times to play live gigs and festivals in Belfast, including in 1997, twice in
518-909: The 2000s, and in 2019. No further studio recordings have been made. Lead vocalist Terry Sharpe and guitarist Pat Gribben first worked together when in 1978 they joined punk band The Starjets . The band experienced limited success and disbanded in the early 1980s. In 1982, Sharpe appeared in the Bananarama video for " Shy Boy " and co-wrote several tracks on their debut album Deep Sea Skiving . In early 1984, Sharpe and Gribben formed The Adventures with Gribben's wife, Eileen, Gerard Murphy, Tony Ayre and Paul Crowder, performing their first show in February 1984 in North London. They signed to Chrysalis Records and were taken on by upcoming manager Simon Fuller, who saw them achieve much publicity and promotion in
555-596: The Baptist and Judas in Godspell , with theatre critics Mark Shenton and Sam Marlower praising his projection of charisma, being one of "few bright spots". "The important thing is to keep developing the character, to keep it fresh, and, my goodness, a long run takes a lot of self-discipline." —Molloy on his long lasting acting as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys , West End, London. In October 2007, Molloy
592-689: The Night", and in 2016 pop rock album Turn on the Night "mainly made up of old songs I wrote". In January 2017, held a concert at The Stage Door in Southampton. In April 2017, held a concert "Big in Japan" (pun on his size ) in Tokyo, collaborating with producer Andy Wright and guitarist Kenji Suzuki from Simply Red . Molloy held solo concerts at Hippodrome, London in 2014, 2016, 2020, and 2021. Molloy began his acting career in theatre appearing in
629-568: The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey started asking respondents whether they think of themselves as British, Irish, Ulster, or Northern Irish. According to the 2019 survey of this series, individuals from Northern Ireland identify as: In the 2007 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, the question was asked, "thinking about each of these national identities in turn, how strongly do you feel yourself to be [Irish/British/Northern Irish/Ulster?]" Individuals responded for each of
666-663: The Pleasuredome ", " Two Tribes ", and " Relax ". Horn considered he "was a hell of a good frontman". He performed with them also in subsequent 2005 tour, and wrote some new songs for the band, but they weren't released as they disbanded in 2007. He spent some time in 2005 also working with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics on the spoof documentary Platinum Weird , which involved Christina Aguilera , Gwen Stefani and Carmen Electra . They would collaborate again in 2019, when Molloy performed live " Thorn in My Side " and " Love
703-529: The US, where also lived his sister Michelle, as was mostly making money by winning in karaoke competitions. After returning from the United States, in 1994 he was signed by RCA Records . In 1997 was planned for release a five track self-titled debut album by RCA Records, but the release was cancelled. In 1998, Molloy sang the song "Black and White Army (Bringing The Pride Back Home)" written by Sting for
740-427: The category of other religions amounts to less than one percent of the population. Detail by Religion (2011) Note that Northern Ireland is made up of approximately 42% Protestant; 41% Roman Catholic; 17% no religion; and 0.8% other religions. National Identity by District (2011) National identity by religion or religion brought up in for each district (2011) National Identity by Age (2011) In 1998
777-416: The classic 1960s hit " Monday Monday ", the album met with a tepid response and failed to chart. The group were then dropped by Polydor, and broke up soon after. Pat Gribben has continued to write songs, and has worked with singer Ryan Molloy . Terry Sharpe spent some years performing in a cover band, The Dead Handsomes. The Adventures regrouped briefly in 2007 for some gigs in Belfast, but no major reunion
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#1732765596075814-469: The extraordinary falsetto", while Shenton praised it and that "the energetic evening's anchor, Ryan Molloy displays amazing emotional and vocal range". For his performance he received a Olivier Award nomination at 2009 Laurence Olivier Awards , and was voted by the public as the Best Actor in a Musical at the 2009 WhatsOnStage Awards . He remained with Jersey Boys for six years, with 2,500 shows as
851-462: The identities as follows: Northern Irish British Irish Ulster Ryan Molloy Ryan Molloy (born 21 November 1972) is a British actor, singer and songwriter. He has been successful in stage and musical theatre at West End and Broadway , appearing in a number of hit musicals, like Taboo , Jerry Springer: The Opera , Tonight's the Night , Godspell and six years in Jersey Boys playing as Frankie Valli made him
888-399: The lead by February 2014, leaving with the last show on 9 March 2014, making him the "longest-running star in a West End musical" and "longest-serving Frankie Valli". Molloy also provided vocals in the 2014 soundtrack (particularly " Beggin' ") of the film version of the musical directed by Clint Eastwood , for which also auditioned but was chosen John Lloyd Young instead. He reprised
925-748: The longest-running star in a West End musical. In 2004, he replaced Holly Johnson as the lead singer in Frankie Goes to Hollywood for a charity concert at Wembley Arena being a band member until 2007, and since 2012 is often active with the Trevor Horn Band with whom recorded the album Made in Basing Street . He is known for his countertenor voice and falsetto . Molloy was born on 21 November 1972 in North Shields in Tyneside , to Bob and Winnie/Minnie Molloy. He recalls it
962-535: The music press, including an appearance on BBC's Crackerjack . Despite this promising start, their debut single, "Another Silent Day", released in the summer of 1984, barely scraped into the chart. Further singles were released, "Send My Heart", "Feel the Raindrops", and " Two Rivers ", all of which were minor hits in the UK Chart, but no major breakthrough was achieved. Their debut album, Theodore and Friends ,
999-553: The right to identify either as Irish or British, or both, and their entitlement to Irish citizenship and British citizenship is recognised by the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom . Most Northern Irish people either identify as Northern Irish, Irish or British , or a combination thereof. In Northern Ireland, national identity is complex and diverse. The question of national identity
1036-544: The role in the Broadway production for a limited engagement lasting from July to October 2014 at the August Wilson Theatre , New York City. In March 2017 were held two sold-out shows Frankie's Farewell Weekend of Jersey Boys London at Hippodrome, London . In 2014, he played in musical Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be at Theatre Royal Stratford East . In the first part of 2016 toured Ireland with
1073-701: The role of the Mephistopheles-like Hades", while Sam Marlowe that "Ryan Molloy is charismatic as Hades, a sinister music exec like a diabolical cross between Iggy Pop and Simon Cowell ". In last several years, Molloy founded Frankie and the Dreamers, a Frankie Valli - The Four Seasons tribute band, being a headliner for Royal Caribbean International and elsewhere. Molloy continued small-scale theatre performances acting in dramas The Tempest (2018), I Love My Wife (2018), Time Biter (2021-2023), and Julius Caesar (2023). Molloy
1110-494: The worst years of the conflict, there had been a large shift in identity amongst Protestants, with the majority (67%) now calling themselves British and only 8% calling themselves Irish. This shift has not been reversed. Meanwhile, the majority of Catholics have continued to see themselves as Irish. From 1989, 'Northern Irish' began to be included as an identity choice in surveys, and its popularity has grown since then. Some organizations have promoted 'Northern Irish' identity as
1147-571: The year. Northern Irish Modern ethnicities The people of Northern Ireland are all people born in Northern Ireland and having, at the time of their birth, at least one parent who is a British citizen , an Irish citizen or is otherwise entitled to reside in Northern Ireland without any restriction on their period of residence, under the Belfast Agreement . Under the agreement, people of Northern Ireland have
The Adventures - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-546: Was "tough living there". He attended Marden Bridge Middle School and Monkseaton High School . He left high school at the age of 16, but was enrolled in Delaval Studios part of Tyne Metropolitan College . Molloy then moved to London to train as an actor. He attended The Poor School , and later at the age of 19 also trained at the University of California, Los Angeles and New York City . He had hard time in
1221-1045: Was a member of the original cast at the National Theatre , and went on to play the parts of the transvestite Tremont and the Angel Gabriel. In early 2006 had to do appendix operation, but managed get the role of Stuart in the touring production of Ben Elton 's Rod Stewart musical, Tonight's The Night . In April-May 2007 played as Ozzie in the On the Town at the London Coliseum . In June played Joilet Jake Blues in The Blues Brothers tribute musical Blues Brothers Unlimited at Centrepoint Theatre, Dubai. In August played in Eurobeat at Edinburgh Festival Fringe . In September-October played as John
1258-435: Was asked in the 2021 census with the three most common identities given being British , Irish and Northern Irish. Most people of Protestant background consider themselves British, while a majority of people of Catholic background are Irish. This has origins in the 17th-century Plantation of Ulster . In the early 20th century, most Ulster Protestants and Catholics saw themselves as Irish, although Protestants tended to have
1295-499: Was cast as Frankie Valli in the West End premiere of Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre , and played his first preview performance on 28 February 2008, and official opening on 18 March 2008. His performance was received with critical acclaim, with Lyn Gardner writing in her critical review that "if it works at all, it is because Ryan Molloy carries all before him as the pint-sized Italian-American with
1332-496: Was ever organised. They regrouped again in 2009 to perform further small scale gigs in Belfast, as well as appearances at the Time To Be Proud and Féile an Phobail festivals during the summer. Former bass player Tony Ayre died on 20 December 2009. On 5 January 2019, The Adventures (featuring Sharpe along with Pat and Eileen Gribben) played their final show at The Empire, Belfast, with The Starjets reforming later on in
1369-504: Was released in 1985 while the group were on a world tour supporting Tears for Fears . It received much critical acclaim, but again no significant sales. The band lay low for the next two years. During this time, main songwriter Pat Gribben composed some new songs for a second album and the band left Chrysalis Records and were picked up by Elektra Records. With another burst of promotion and heavy airplay, their new single " Broken Land " became their only significant hit, reaching No. 20 in
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