AUF WIEDERSEHEN, PET AT 40 SOUVENIR DVD

We are delighted to announce the release of 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet at 40' on Special Edition DVD
celebrating 40 years of television's premier award-winning comedy drama series!

On Saturday May 11th, 2024, the O2 City Hall Newcastle played host to 4,000 dedicated Auf Wiedersehen, Pet fans, there to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first series (1983-84) of this ground-breaking, multiple award-winning comedy-drama. Hosted by the North East's own Alfie Joey, the event celebrated the creation, impact, and enduring legacy of this television classic featuring the nation's favourite brickies.
DVD Part 1: Features a host of iconic AWP cast, crew, and writers who share their memories from their time on and off set, including Tim Healy, Kevin Whately, Jimmy Nail, Christopher Fairbank and Timothy Spall. Creator Franc Roddam and writers Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement and Stan Hey along with Julia Tobin, Bill Paterson, Lesley Saint-John, Josefina Gabrielle, Melanie Hill, Su Elliott, Lysette Anthony, Ying Tong Jon, Victoria Harwood, Donald McBride, Bob Smeaton, Mark Stobbart and Production Designer Mike Perry.
DVD Part 2: Jimmy Nail delivers a concert performance alongside Peter Tickell (md & keyboards), Ray Laidlaw (drums, percussion), Melvin Duffy (pedal steel, dobro, lap steel & acoustic guitars), Michael McCrystal (electric & acoustic guitars) and Michael Bailey (bass guitars). The set consists of songs with an Auf Wiedersehen, Pet connection; title songs, credits songs and songs by Oz's idol, US country music legend Merle Haggard, including fan favourite 'I Can't Be Myself' which featured in Series 2. Joining Jimmy and the band are Tim Healy, Kevin Whately, Kathryn Tickell, The Wilson Brothers and Charlie Richmond along with tributes to Gary Holton, Pat Roach and other cast members we've lost along the way.
The DVD is packed with bonus features including video commentary on music selection by Jimmy Nail, behind-the-scenes photos from rehearsals and exclusive photos from the live shows.

Jimmy Nail: "It's great!  We'll have the AWP@40 DVD as a permanent reminder of an extraordinary event which celebrated an equally extraordinary television series. Folk often say about such get-togethers, "You really had to be there..." and it's true to an extent, however for the many who couldn't be there, and for those who were and wish to remind themselves, this DVD should work a treat."
Tim Healy: "It was great to meet up with old colleagues from 40 years ago, it was as if we had never been apart. Such a special night and wonderful memories, shared by our fantastic audience xxx"
Kevin Whately: "The loyalty and enthusiasm of our AWP fans never surprises me after 40 years. They're as mad keen as ever, but the huge turnout of all the other actors and crew for this celebration was astonishing for us and the audience... Brilliant!"
Chris Fairbank: "The whole event was truly unforgettable. Something I felt privileged to be part of. The audience at both shows were absolutely phenomenal!! The response and reaction we received moved me to tears."

Ray Laidlaw: "As a fan of AWP and a native of Tyneside I always felt a bond with the characters. I'm now lucky enough to know most of those involved and to be good friends with some of them. Helping to put the shows together was a wonderful experience and the DVD is the cherry on the cake."

Running time: 2h 45m