THE world’s number one David Bowie act will grace the Memorial Court stage on Friday night, as the Bowie Experience comes to town.

Laurence Knight plays the pop icon in ‘Bowie Experience – The Golden Years Tour’ at the town centre venue on Friday, November 9, with tickets still available.

‘Mesmerising’, ‘astounding’ and ‘unforgettable’, the show brings together hits like Space Oddity, Starman, Life on Mars and Heroes into one concert.

Having performed at the V&A London and The Royal Albert Hall, alongside The Cure and the Boomtown Rats, and on Sky and the BBC, vocalist, actor and multi-instrumentalist Knight is considered the world’s finest David Bowie performer.

A Bowie superfan himself, Knight is now living his dream in the red shoes of Ziggy Stardust.

“It began in September 1997,” the actor recalled ahead of a run of 17 shows across England, Wales and Scotland, of which Northwich is the ninth.

“I was at music college and in the evenings and weekends I would go out with various covers bands playing the pubs and clubs.

“Most musicians like something from David's catalogue so we would often perform a song or two by him, and band members and some audience members started telling me that when I sung his songs I sounded like him and that I should do something with that, ‘like a tribute act’.

“This was something that had never occurred to me and to begin with I wasn't particularly keen on as at the time I was writing and recording my own material and trying to perform and promote that.

“To cut a long story short, it became apparent that although I believed in my original material, no one else did and so as a huge fan of David Bowie, the idea of doing some kind of tribute was an attractive notion.

“It seemed to work so I did another and then another and that's how it's been ever since.

“I must say, I didn't anticipate what a ride it would be; it's taken me to all sorts of parts of the world that I probably otherwise wouldn't have gone to and I've met some pretty interesting people along the way.”

With an amazing 10 costume changes during the show, the tour allows Knight to delve into the character of one of the most influential musicians of all time.

Coupled with a run as Bowie – including at the Royal Albert Hall – in the ‘David Bowie Is…’ exhibition, Knight knows more than most the complexity of the man.

“All of David’s characters are a rich seam to be explored so to choose just a couple of aspects is like trying to unpick a woolly jumper,” he said.

“The fun comes in the shape of the pattern that emerges as you discover the more subtle sides of his imagination.

“The costumes I wear on stage are amazingly authentic and often there are audible gasps from the audience at each costume change.

“Smiles, I like smiles, it seems to me an indication that they 'get it'. Obviously applause and cheering.

“At the end of the show we do a number that people can sing along to if they wish, when an audience really goes for it, singing their heart out, it's so affirming.

“And although this might sound strange to some, occasionally I see someone smiling and crying at the same time, it's when that happens that I feel we have truly connected.”

With an incredibly talented cast, all eyes will be on the show at Memorial Court on Friday night.

The singalong is sure to start early, and may well play into the hands of the band as they conduct a pre-show ritual.

Knight revealed: “In the space behind the screen on stage in a theatre, while the intro music is playing and the audience are in their seats just before the show begins, we play silent football in full costume and make up – quite a sight believe me.

“Silent football may not sound like much but it's quite difficult to do without making a sound or kicking the ball into the back of the screen thereby making it wobble around.

“But we are not as daft as you may understandably think and we have purchased a soft foam ball for the job.”

This cohesion is just one of the aspects contributing to the show’s success, and once they are on stage the focus returns to honouring the legacy of the man himself.

So, surely, to front such a show and depict such a legend must be the proudest achievement in any career?

“Now there is a thorny one, I am proud of the wonderfully talented people I have had, and continue to have, the pleasure to work with.

“As for myself, pride is not something particularly relevant, that implies a kind of selfish inflated ego and what I do is not about me, it’s about David and his work.

“I am fully aware that who he is and what he has done is way beyond what I could feasibly conjure, his talent is humbling to one such as me.”

Call the Memorial Court box office on 01606 261100.