SPANDAU Ballet member and EastEnders actor Martin Kemp, pictured, will be coming to the Island to talk about his fascinating life and career as a pop and soap star.
The show, An Audience with Martin Kemp, compered by BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Howard Leader, will be held at Shanklin Theatre on Sunday, May 7.
Kemp, bass guitarist for new romantic leaders, Spandau Ballet, in the 1980s, will talk about the highs and lows of his time with the band, from the tours and hit records, to their rivalries with other bands of the era and the eventual break-up — and reformation — of the group.
Spandau Ballet had a string of top 20 hits, which included True, Gold and Through the Barricades.
As an actor, Kemp will also talk about his award-winning days as a star of BBC soap, EastEnders, and the hit British movie, The Krays, in which he played notorious gangster, Reggie Kray.
As part of the show, Kemp will invite the audience to ask him questions and when it comes to answering difficult ones, he always likes to engage with the audience.
“I always try to be honest — that’s the fun of it — and if the audience is up for it, even better. If the audience on the Island are as inventive as everywhere else, it should be a laugh,” the 55 year old said.
“I like to think the audience get to know me as a person and not just another ‘celeb’ you see on TV or in a magazine. I love the fact we get to know each other and people walk away feeling like it’s been a good night.”
Kemp has fond memories as a youngster coming to the Island for a family holiday.
“I love the IW. I went on holiday to Shanklin when I was a kid, camped there as a teen and played the IW Festival as Spandau Ballet. You could say I’m a fan.”
The show starts at 7.30pm.