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P HOTO G R A P H O F H ER M Aj EsTY TH E Q u EEN bY M A RY McCA RTN EY Š 2015
On behalf of the Royal Variety Charity, Laurie Mansfield & Giles Cooper, would like to thank Her Majesty The Queen for her continued support as the sole Patron of our charity. The unwavering presence of the Royal Family at this annual entertainment institution ensures that the Royal Variety Charity is able to continue to assist and support all those in need who’ve professionally served the entertainment industries. For this we are all truly grateful.
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THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
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Presented annually in aid of the Royal Variety Charity
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
Staged in the presence of
His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales KCVO Executive Producers, Royal Variety Charity Laurie Mansfield, Giles Cooper & Phil Dale Creative Director, ITV Studios Lee Connolly Executive Producer, ITV Studios Fiona Clark
Patron her majesty The Queen, Founded 1908, registered Charity no. 206451 Life-President Laurie mansfield, Chairman Giles Cooper
www.royalvarietycharity.org
Director, ITV Studios Julia Knowles
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
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ON BEHALF OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY, LAURIE MANSFIELD & GILES COOPER EXTEND A VERY WARM WELCOME TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE HARRY ON HIS FIRST ATTENDANCE OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE HENRY OF WALES KCVO PAGE 04 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 05
2015
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CONTENTS Royal Line-Ups & Royal Box
8-9
Life-President - Message of Thanks
12-13
Chairman - Welcome to the RVP
16-17
Charity Name Change
18-19
Vice-Chairman & Treasurer
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Royal Variety Charity Officers, Trustees, Committee
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History of The Royal Variety
25-35
Previous Performances
38-43
Patrons of the Royal Variety Charity
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ITV Studios
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ACT ONE
49-56
Further Fundraising
58-59
Brinsworth House
60-65
Work Of The Royal Variety Charity
68-69
ACT TWO
71-77
Britain’s Got Talent
80-81
Royal Albert Hall
84-85
ITV Production Staff
86-87
Credits & Thanks
92-93
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THE 88th ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE HENRY OF WALES KCVO will be greeted upon arrival by: Mike Dudgeon Wg Cdr M G Dudgeon OBE DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Greater London and then introduced to: Jon Moynihan OBE President of the Royal Albert Hall
PRE-SHOW ROYAL LINE-UP HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE HENRY OF WALES KCVO will then be presented to: LAURIE MANSFIELD Life-President GILES COOPER Chairman who will then in turn present the official Royal Line-Up: PHIL DALE Vice-Chairman, Royal Variety Charity IAN FREEMAN Treasurer, Royal Variety Charity THE DOWAGER LADY WESTBURY CBE. JP. Life Governor, Royal Variety Charity REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE Executive Committee member, Royal Variety Charity GORDON PETERS Executive Committee member, Royal Variety Charity
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FAWN JAMES Executive Committee member, Royal Variety Charity PETER FINCHAM Director of Television, ITV ELAINE BEDELL Director of Entertainment & Comedy, ITV KEVIN LYGO Managing Director, ITV JULIAN BELLAMY Managing Director, ITV Studios UK
PRESENTATION A copy of the show programme will be presented to HRH Prince Harry by the graphic designers for the Royal Variety Charity & the designers of tonight’s Royal Variety Performance brochure: CONNOR CRAWFORD and CHRISTOPHER WATTS from Soho Media Group.
THE ROYAL BOX His Royal Highness PRINCE HENRY OF WALES KCVO will be accompanied in the Royal Box by LAURIE MANSFIELD Life-President & Executive Producer and GILES COOPER Chairman & Executive Producer
POST-SHOW ROYAL LINE-UP His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales will be presented on stage to all the acts who have performed in this evening’s Royal Variety Performance. This will immediately follow the conclusion of the show and will be visible to the theatre audience. Please note that the theatre audience must remain seated as this section forms an integral part of the finished television programme. The acts will be introduced to the Royal party by Executive Producers: Fiona Clark ITV Studios Laurie Mansfield Life-President Giles Cooper Chairman
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‘‘
LAURIE MANSFIELD, LIFE-PRESIDENT
Welcome and thank you for your support this evening. The big event of the year at the EABF has been the change of name to the ‘Royal Variety Charity’ and credit must be given to the Chairman, Giles Cooper, for all his hard work in this regard. With the support of our Trustees and Executive Committee we have now emerged a stronger, more efficient and striving charity.
Tonight we return to the Royal Albert Hall following our 100th anniversary in 2012. Needless to say we are very grateful for the cooperation we have received from the Royal Albert Hall. We are also very grateful, as always, to ITV for their enthusiasm and commitment to our charity, particularly, Peter Fincham, Elaine Bedell, Lee Connolly, Fiona Clark, Freddie Sorenson & Julia Knowles.
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE ONLINE >> For more information on the Royal Variety Performance, please visit:
www.RoyalVarietyPerformance.org THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY ONLINE >> For more information on the Royal Variety Charity please visit:
www.royalvarietycharity.org
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THANKS We would also like to acknowledge our existing relationship with Britain’s Got Talent, the winning prize being the series winner to appear on this, our annual fundraiser.
I would also like to thank the Matron of Brinsworth House, Tatree Preece RGN and our Finance Director, Nilesh Ruparel, for all of their hard work, devotion & efforts during the year. Finally, I would like to thank the Royal Family for their continued support and especially HRH Prince Harry for attending this evening - a very warm welcome from us all at the Royal Variety Charity.
I wish you all a very happy evening and please enjoy the show”
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ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE ® in aid of
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GILES COOPER, CHAIRMAN
A very warm welcome to the Royal Variety Performance 2015! Tonight is the 103rd year of this Great British institution and I’d particularly like to welcome HRH Prince Harry who is attending his very first Royal Variety Performance this evening. On behalf of everyone at the Royal Variety Charity, ITV and the Royal Albert Hall, a very warm welcome and thank you so much for supporting this fantastic charity. I’d like to thank the Members of our Executive Committee, including their elected Officers and Trustees, for giving up their valuable time throughout the year and for working so hard for those in need within the entertainment industry. I’d particularly like to thank Hon. Life-President, Laurie Mansfield, whose advice, assistance & support has been invaluable. I’d like to acknowledge the brilliant team at ITV Studios who once again prove they are unrivalled in ‘live event’ TV production and I’d particularly like to highlight from
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE ONLINE >> For more information on the Royal Variety Performance, please visit:
www.RoyalVarietyPerformance.org THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY ONLINE >> For more information on the Royal Variety Charity please visit:
www.royalvarietycharity.org
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WELCOME our Royal Variety Events team, Lorraine, Victoria and Cathryn for helping me organise this, our annual fundraiser. The Royal Variety Charity has constantly evolved, but has always existed as the ‘entertainment industry looking after its own’ and this would never have been possible without the unwavering support of continuing generations of our Royal Family. I would therefore, above all, like to thank our sole Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, for her continued support. Lastly, but by no means least, a very big thank you to all of the artistes performing in tonight’s ‘Royal Command’, all of whom have given their services free of charge in support of the Royal Variety Charity; I’m sure you’ll do us all proud and thank you so much for devoting your valuable time and energy to this evening’s show. The stage is now set. Please sit back, relax and enjoy!”
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CHARITY NAME CHANGE On 26th June 2015, the Executive Committee of the EABF met for an historic Annual General Meeting. Chairman Giles Cooper had previously gained approval from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office to change the name of the charity from the EABF to the Royal Variety Charity and Buckingham Palace and the Cabinet Office followed by awarding the charity the honour of official use of the title ‘Royal’ within the charity’s name. The Executive Committee subsequently voted on this day to change the name of the charity with immediate effect.
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Members of the Mgmt Body present at this historic vote (alphabetical order): WYN CALVIN MBE • PAT CHURCH • GILES COOPER • DEE-DEE CROSHER • PHIL DALE • KENNY EARLE • JOY FRANCOIS • IAN FREEMAN • CHERYL GARLAND • VALERIE GARLAND • FAWN JAMES • KEITH LASCELLES • JOHN LOGAN • LAURIE MANSFIELD • VICKI MICHELLE MBE • GEORGE MURANYI • GORDON PETERS • BABS POWELL • REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE • KEITH SIMMONS • NICK THOMAS • PETER TOD • ACCOMPANIED BY: CHARITY FINANCE DIRECTOR NILESH RUPAREL • MATRON TATREE PREECE • PA TO CHAIRMAN CATHRYN TOMLINSON • HAYSMACINTYRE AUDITOR BERNIE WATSON
Above - Left to Right: Babs Powell, John Logan, Vicki Michelle MBE, Ian Freeman, George Muranyi, Laurie Mansfield, Kenny Earle, Giles Cooper, Keith Simmons, Phil Dale, Keith Lascelles, Pat Church, Gordon Peters, Wyn Calvin MBE, Nick Thomas, Joy Francois, Fawn James, Dee-Dee Crosher, Rev Canon Roger Royle, Cheryl Garland, Valerie Garland Bottom Far Left: Life-President Laurie Mansfield and Chairman Giles Cooper sign the documents to change the name of the EABF to the Royal Variety Charity Bottom Middle - Left to Right: Bernie Watson (auditor from HaysMacIntyre), Vicki Michelle MBE, Nick Thomas, Giles Cooper, Laurie Mansfield, Wyn Calvin MBE, Babs Powell, Nilesh Ruparel Left: Chairman Giles Cooper and Vice-Chairman Phil Dale sign the documents to change the name of the EABF to the Royal Variety Charity
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VICE-CHAIRMAN PHIL DALE
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t continues to be such a privilege to be actively involved with, not only this great and traditional annual performance, but even more so with its beneficiary, the Royal Variety Charity; allowing us to continue our much needed work at Brinsworth House. Due to your generosity and the generosity of the artistes, sponsors and ITV, we have been in the enviable position of being able to organise a number of improvements at Brinsworth House over the years, bringing it up to the most modern of standards. The registered care home accommodates 36 residents, who are personally taken care of by the finest of nurses and care assistants and it is so heart-warming to see them enjoying these wonderful facilities and especially experiencing their delight when they are visited and entertained by today’s excellent performers throughout the year. We are so proud to be closely involved with such a wonderful charity and we are richly rewarded for our trouble by the very simple joy of seeing these once so-active and talented ‘old pros’ living in the comfort they deserve and most importantly seeing them safe and with a smile on their faces. On behalf of the Royal Variety Charity I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support!” Phil Dale Vice-Chairman
TREASURER IAN FREEMAN
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s we enjoy tonight’s Royal Variety Performance, the crowning point of another successful year for the Royal Variety Charity, it’s a good time to consider where we stand, given the challenges continuing to face the charity sector. The Royal Variety Charity’s award-winning residential home, Brinsworth House, continues to provide the highest standard of care for many former showbusiness professionals. On behalf of our residents and all our other beneficiaries, as well as all the officers of the Fund, our grateful thanks for your continued support. We face a daily battle to raise sufficient funds to maintain the levels of care and guardianship for which we are renowned and we thank you respectfully and profoundly. May I also thank our finance team of Nilesh Ruparel (Finance Director), Sital and Myra, for their hard work over the year. Please help us to maintain our invaluable work by donating whatever you can, no matter how small, through our website at www.royalvarietycharity.org/ donate. We will, in return, promise to work diligently and conscientiously to guarantee a happy and comforting future for those who have brought us so much joy and laughter for so many years.” Ian Freeman Treasurer ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 21
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MANAGEMENT BODY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY Patron
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
Hon. Life-President
LAURIE MANSFIELD
Chairman
GILES COOPER
Vice-Chairman
PHIL DALE
Trustees
LAURIE MANSFIELD GILES COOPER PHIL DALE JAMES JONES IAN FREEMAN
Treasurer
IAN FREEMAN
Vice Presidents
LADY SHEILA BUTLIN RONNIE CORBETT OBE JIM DAVIDSON OBE ROGER DE COURCEY KEN DODD OBE ROBERT EARL Jnr. ROY HUDD OBE PETER JAY STUART LITTLEWOOD FRSA JOE PASQUALE RONALD SMART NICK THOMAS
Life Governors
LADY SHEILA BUTLIN CDRE SIR DONALD GOSLING KCVO. RNR LORD MICHAEL GRADE CBE THE DOWAGER LADY WESTBURY CBE. JP
Hon. Chaplain
REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE
The Executive Committee
WYN CALVIN MBE DUGGIE CHAPMAN MBE PAT CHURCH GILES COOPER DEE-DEE CROSHER PHIL DALE KENNY EARLE JOY FRANCOIS IAN FREEMAN CHERYL GARLAND VALERIE GARLAND FAWN JAMES JAMES JONES KEITH LASCELLES JOHN LOGAN LAURIE MANSFIELD VICKI MICHELLE MBE GEORGE MURANYI GORDON PETERS BABS POWELL ROBERT POWELL REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE KEITH SIMMONS KAY SMART RONALD SMART PETER TOD BRADLEY WALSH THE DOWAGER LADY WESTBURY CBE. JP
ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY ONLINE >> For more information on Brinsworth House & the work of the Royal Variety Charity, please visit www.royalvarietycharity.org ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 23
NILESH RUPAREL
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CHARITY FINANCE DIRECTOR & TEAM Nilesh Ruparel has worked for the Royal Variety Charity since 2008 and acts as the Charity Finance Director overseeing the finances of Brinsworth House and the charity as a whole. Nilesh’s finance team includes Sital Makwana and Myra Harte. On behalf of the Royal Variety Charity, Laurie Mansfield and Giles Cooper, would like to thank Nilesh and his finance team for all of their hard work.
Above Left: Finance Director Nilesh Ruparel Above Right Top: Finance Manager, Sital Makwana Above Right Bottom: Accounts Asst, Myra Harte
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Giles Cooper commented “Nilesh, Sital and Myra have been absolutely fantastic in implementing the directives and initiatives of the Executive Committee and Trustees, thereby revolutionising our accounting processes & procedures. I would like to thank them all individually for their hard work and dedication over the past few years. The charity now has firm foundations safeguarded by robust procedures and methodology, ensuring the future safety and security of our many residents and grantees across the UK.”
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE he Royal Variety Performance was first staged in 1912, when His Majesty King George V and Her Majesty Queen Mary agreed to attend a ‘Royal Command Performance’ at London’s Palace Theatre in support of the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund (now the Royal Variety Charity) and its proposal to build an extension to its Home for elderly entertainers, Brinsworth House, in Twickenham.
His Majesty King George V
The quality and diversity of performers over the years is extraordinary, from Elgar to Pavarotti, from The Beatles to Take That, from Laurel & Hardy to Morecambe & Wise, from Aretha Franklin to Bette Midler, from Sammy Davis Jnr. to Michael Jackson, from Liberace to Sir Elton John, from Tommy Cooper to Michael McIntyre, from Shirley Bassey to Lady Gaga... the list of legendary performers is breathtaking and endless.
No expense was spared at this first Performance with 3 million roses strewn around the auditorium and the Royal Box. The show opened and closed, as would become traditional, with ‘God Save the King’, and performers included the legendary Scottish singer Harry Lauder and male impersonator Vesta Tilley – the Queen reportedly covered her eyes with her programme at the sight of a woman in trousers. Ballerina Anna Pavlova was also in the line-up, having two years earlier caused a sensation in the Palace Theatre by slapping her male dance partner for dropping her by mistake. The controversial dancehall star of the day, Marie Lloyd, was not invited to perform as she was embroiled in a professional dispute and was in any case deemed ‘too risqué’ for royal eyes; she defiantly staged a rival performance at a nearby theatre instead, billing it as ‘By command of the British Public’, but it was not a success. This original show has grown from comparatively humble beginnings into a spectacle watched by a TV audience of over 150 million worldwide in 65 different countries. In Norway, for example, it has even become a New Year’s tradition to watch the Royal Variety Performance, which is broadcast at midnight on January 1st! continued >>>
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
The second Royal show in 1919 was the first to be given the current billing of ‘Royal Variety Performance’; held at the London Coliseum a year after the end of the first World War, it was declared ‘a celebration of peace’ and featured performers from allied countries including Australia and France. continued >>>
In 1921, His Majesty King George V agreed to become Life Patron of the Royal Variety Charity – the start of an unbroken line of Royal patronage from the reigning Monarch, which continues to the present day. The show subsequently became an annual event when the King decreed after the Performance that ‘the Monarch, or a senior member of the Royal Family would attend a performance in aid of Brinsworth House and the Royal Variety Charity once a year thereafter’. By 1923 the show had become such an established and popular event that tickets would sell out as soon as they were issued. It was therefore decided in 1926 that that year’s Performance should be broadcast on BBC radio, for enjoyment by a wider audience.
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In the early 1930s the Royal Variety Performance moved to the London Palladium, which was to become its spiritual home for many years. Many stars still recognised today as timeless variety names performed in this period, including Max Miller and Gracie Fields; the 1932 show also saw debut performances by six comedians who went on to form the Crazy Gang, one of the most successful comedy troupes in British history.
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 1935 saw the Silver Jubilee of an ailing King George V and Queen Mary, and that year’s spectacular sell-out show proved sadly to be a fittingly grand end to the great support these Royals had shown the Variety Performance. The Jubilee drew huge crowds to the show, with people from all over the world desperate to get their hands on a ticket; one American millionaire offered a staggering £500 (around £36,000 in today’s money) for a pair.
1912
That year’s line-up included Stanley Holloway, Jessie Matthews and the Harry Roy Band, and was an enormous success; but the King who had paved the way for a century of Royal patronage and dedication to the Entertainment’s Industry’s own Charity unfortunately died a few months later, in January 1936.
A one-year interlude followed, during which King Edward VIII’s crown had barely touched his head before British rule and the reins of Variety Performance patronage were taken up once more by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother). The 1937 event was held again at the London Palladium, and it was widely agreed that controversial comedian Max Miller stole the show. Although no-one could have foreseen it, 1938 turned out to be the final show before World War II stopped play for the next seven years. As if anticipating the dark days ahead, seminal performances were given by an incredible 250 artistes, making it the biggest night in RVP history.
Riding high on Hitler’s defeat, Britain channeled the spirit of victory into 1945’s event, billing it ‘The Victory Royal Variety Performance’ and turning it into a national celebration. Tommy Trinder played host to a cast of acts that included Sid Field and Vic Oliver, and Robert Nesbitt made his debut as director for what was to be an impressive 25 further shows. Our current Queen Elizabeth attended as Princess, aged 19, accompanied by the King and Queen and her younger sister, Princess Margaret Rose.
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE Presenter of the 1947 Performance, Val Parnell, caused controversy by choosing several high-ranking international names at the expense of some rather less familiar, homegrown acts; he defended himself by pointing out that the purpose of the event was to showcase the Variety business to its best possible advantage for their Majesties’ enjoyment, adding as an aside that ‘We cannot afford, when people are paying ten guineas a seat, to experiment too much’. continued >>>
The Royal Variety Performance continued to reach new heights in the ’40s and ’50s, the precocious star of the 1948 show being an enchanting 13 year-old Julie Andrews, who followed up her solo spot by leading the cast in a verse of the National Anthem in the finale. The original TV recording can be seen on our website and Facebook pages. In 1951 Michael Bentine, future Goon, pulled together an eccentric and hugely popular comedy troupe from six acts who had been regulars on the Royal Variety circuit since 1932; The Crazy Gang was born, and raised the rafters. This was also the year in which surprise appearances were made in the Royal Box by an absent King George VI’s two private nurses; Queen Elizabeth reported to his well-wishers that the King was, regrettably, too ill to attend, ’but he is listening in’. Richard Murdoch and Kenneth Horne sang His Majesty’s health. There was much excitement around 1952’s Variety Performance, being as it was the first in the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. No doubt to everyone’s relief, upon seeing the programme the Queen declared it ’the best show of all’ – one which featured the Beverley Sisters, Ian Wallace and Norman Wisdom. The Duke of Edinburgh took a particular shine to comedian Tony Hancock and his impersonation of a French Royal Navy commander. The decision of the Crazy Gang in 1951 to do away with the audience’s long-running fear of becoming too raucous in the presence of royalty proved such a success that in 1954 they took the idea to the next level; before the Royal family arrived, the Gang gave the audience a thorough warm-up by strolling in and out of their Box dressed as cleaners, and selling icecreams in the auditorium. By a stroke of good fortune, two Royal Variety Performances were arranged in 1955; this meant that the country was perhaps not as disappointed as it could have been when 1956’s show was cancelled due to brewing unrest surrounding the Suez Canal. The performers themselves were distinctly piqued, however, and a disgruntled Jimmy Wheeler launched into his act upon hearing the news, announcing ’I’ve rehearsed this bloody act for a fortnight so somebody’s gonna hear it’. Fortunately not the Royals, however, as his impromptu act was somewhat more risqué than the prepared version. continued >>>
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HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY TO ITV!
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Independent Television first launched in London, in September 1955. Here are ITV’s top 10 broadcasts of all time (measured by highest TV ratings over ITV’s 6 decades). The Top Ten includes four Royal Variety Performances! 1. WORLD CUP 98 - ENGLAND V ARGENTINA (JUNE 30 1998): 23.78 MILLION
6. JAMES BOND: DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (MARCH 15 1981): 22.15 MILLION
2. JAMES BOND: LIVE AND LET DIE (JANUARY 20 1980): 23.50 MILLION
7. 1965 ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE (NOVEMBER 14 1965): 21.70 MILLION
3. JAWS - THE MOVIE (OCTOBER 8 1981): 23.25 MILLION
8. CORONATION STREET (JANUARY 2 1985): 21.40 MILLION
4. JAMES BOND: THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (MARCH 28 1982): 22.90 MILLION
9. 1963 ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE (NOVEMBER 10 1963): 21.20 MILLION
5. 1967 ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE (NOVEMBER 19 1967): 22.80 MILLION
10. 1977 ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE (DECEMBER 4 1977): 21.19 MILLION
Many thanks to ITV for their continued dedication and support of the Royal Variety Performance and on behalf of the Royal Variety Charity, Laurie Mansfield and Giles Cooper, wish ITV a very happy 60th birthday year!
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE The first 1955 show was held at the Opera House in Blackpool, with predominantly regional talent such as Tower organist Reginald Dixon, comic double-act Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warriss, and a couple of young comedians by the name of Morecambe and Wise. The London line-up was more traditionally diverse, and included Benny Hill and the Chinese Classical Theatre Company. Independent Television’s bid to broadcast the show that year was swiftly quashed, on the grounds that TV would threaten the variety format.
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The format began to undergo some changes in 1958 at the hands of Bernard Delfont and Robert Nesbitt, not all of them well received. Delfont decided to cut back on longestablished British acts in favour of the big American artistes of the day, Pat Boone and Eartha Kitt, as well as fresh local talent like Roy Castle, Max Bygraves and magician David Nixon. The omission of the adored Crazy Gang from the bill caused minor uproar.
Further change was afoot in 1959 when the Performance was held, for the first time, in Manchester Palace Theatre. As well as the traditional comic element in the form of Al Read, an 18-year-old Cliff Richard made an angelic and well-scrubbed appearance. The organisers finally gave in to the lure of televisation in 1960, a year in which the show was utterly eclipsed by Sammy Davis Junior. “In eight electrifying minutes,” the Daily Sketch excitedly reported, “this entertainer made the word ‘star’ seem inadequate”. The year 1963 was the year Beatlemania hit the Royal Variety Performance. The Beatles attracted ecstatic fans outside the Prince of Wales theatre and through the Sunday rehearsals the noise of the throng could be heard by the artistes on stage. It was necessary to construct a screened passageway between the theatre and the hotel next door, where the Beatles were staying, in order to get them in and out of the theatre without being seen. The effect of the crowds obviously affected the other artistes on the bill and Marlene continued >>>
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
Dietrich made a point of always being in evidence when the photographers were around! During rehearsal Paul McCartney managed to get his guitar caught in the curtains, but on the night itself the Beatles took the show by storm and John Lennon passed into Royal Variety history when he made his celebrated suggestion that those in the cheap seats should clap their hands; the rest could just rattle their jewellery. The original TV recording of the Beatles’ performance of three songs can be seen on our website and Facebook pages. continued >>>
A gifted comedy quartet comprising Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers were a massive hit at the 1965 Royal Variety Performance, which returned to the London Palladium. Dusty Springfield and Shirley Bassey were also on hand to provide a quintessentially 60s musical element. The entire English football team took bashfully to the stage after their World Cup triumph in 1966, while the French singer Gilbert Becaud was forced to watch silently from the stalls after having lost his voice. Girl Power made its first appearance in the 1967 show, which was crammed to bursting with female entertainers after their absence had led to complaints the previous year – PAGE 32 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
a modest Sandie Shaw was seen to have changed out of her revealing stage outfit to meet the Queen, commenting that ‘I am told it would be more elegant to be presented to the Queen in something a little more special!’ Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, a seasoned music hall and variety afficionado, announced that the 1968 Performance was one of the best ever. Des O’Connor, Englebert Humperdinck and Petula Clark all played their part, and former Supreme Diana Ross used the occasion to make a moving tribute to Martin Luther King, whose tragic assassination had rocked the world earlier that year. By the 1970s the RVP had really got into its stride, pulling the crowds in with line-ups that positively glittered with stardom; national treasures like Ronnie Corbett and Elton John rubbed shoulders with international sensations including the Jackson Five, Carol Channing and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. A rather risque sketch from the popular BBC TV comedy ‘Till Death Us Do Part’ found its way onto the 1972 bill, much to the consternation of a public keen to protect their delicate Royals. In the event, all went smoothly on the night and a rather harried Bernard Delfont reported afterwards that the Queen Mother had said ‘Well, that wasn’t too bad, was it?’ with evident relief.
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 1974 was the year in which the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund became the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund (EABF), allowing a wider crosssection of showbusiness to fall under the charity’s protective net. The use of ’Crossroads’ star Noele Gordon as the show’s first ever female host was an additional landmark for that year.
In 1976, after 16 years of pre-recorded broadcasts, the Royal Variety Performance took a nerve-wracking leap into the world of live television. The long-suffering Bernard Delfont wearily recalls the poltergeist-level disruptions that beset that year’s show, including falling microphones, power outages and a persistent sound fault that rendered poor Mike Yarwood’s voice practically inaudible over a deafening orchestra. After two years in which to retreat and lick their wounds, the organisers braved the live format once again in 1978. Although all went well, the experience and the potential for embarrassment and disaster were deemed overall too stressful to make it worthwhile, and the show has wisely been pre-recorded ever since. In 1979, a no doubt grey-haired Lord Delfont passed the organisational baton to Louis Benjamin, highly qualified by dint of his position as managing director of Associated Television, chairman of Stoll Moss Theatres and life governor of the EABF. The show was held at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane for the first time.
The 1980 Performance marked Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s 80th birthday, and as such was a nod to all the variety show greats of the last 50 years who had kept the Queen entertained throughout her reign. 1981 saw another innovation, stimulated by the need to counter the mounting costs of staging the show. For the first time, sponsorship was introduced to offset the unavoidable production costs and as a less contentious alternative to raising seat prices. Louis Benjamin also alleviated the financial problem by selling advertising spots in the Performance programme, and re-negotiated screening fees in the UK and abroad. continued >>>
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 33
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 1986 was the BBC’s 50th anniversary, so in a fitting tribute this was the year the company produced and presented the show. From then until 2010, broadcasting and production alternated each year between the BBC and ITV. continued >>>
ITV contractor London Weekend Television staged the Performance in 1987 and a galactic cast included Stephen Fry, Sarah Brightman and Tom Jones.
Two breaks from tradition followed a few years later. The 1990 Royal Variety Performance, staged by the BBC, was billed as Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Royal Birthday Gala’ and took place in July in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. Roger Moore, Sir John Gielgud and the Band of the Grenadier Guards all made an appearance. The following year, a performance of the musical ‘Miss Saigon’ was put on for the show at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane.
PAGE 34 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
After this, the Royal Variety Performance was held in London’s Dominion theatre for the next five years with a roster of household favourites such as Lulu, Cilla Black and Tom Jones. American rabbi-turned-comedian Jackie Mason vastly outstayed his allotted stage time, the adulation he was receiving seeming to blind him to the TV monitor mounted on the theatre’s circle flashing ‘GET. OFF. NOW!’ at him in large red letters.
Since 2008, Simon Cowell’s hugely successful ITV show, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ has generously donated a large proportion of the money raised from viewers’ telephone votes to the Royal Variety Charity. In return, the Royal Variety Charity arranges for the series winner of the talent show to be awarded with the much-coveted prize of a spot on that year’s Royal Variety Performance fundraiser. The first winner to perform was opera singer Paul Potts, followed by the incredible 14-year-old street dancer George Sampson, then the ten-strong dance troupe, Diversity. Gymnastic group Spelbound wowed the audience the following year, followed by Scottish singer Jai McDowall in 2011, Ashleigh and Pudsey in 2012, Hungarian shadow dancers Attraction in 2013 and Collabro in 2014.
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE The Royal Variety Performance has been hosted by many cities throughout the UK in its lifetime, including Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Blackpool and Manchester In February 2011, the Royal Variety Charity awarded exclusive broadcasting and production rights of the show to ITV1 for the next ten years, securing the future of this great entertainment institution until at least 2021, and further strengthened the Charity’s links with the country’s most prominent commercial broadcaster.
The year 2012, saw a very special production of the Royal Variety Performance to mark its centenary year. The event was staged at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. A spectacular international line-up was presented that included, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Placido Domingo, Bill Bailey, One Direction, Girls Aloud, David Walliams, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli and Neil Diamond, The 100th anniversary evening was celebrated in style with a further fund raising event at a lavish aftershow banquet at the Hilton Hotel on London’s Park Lane. This one evening of entertainment raised over £700,000 for the charity. 2014 was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the first time and was held at the London Palladium. It included a glittering cast including host Michael McIntyre, Bette Midler, Shirley Bassey, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Golding and One Direction. On 26th June 2015, the Executive Committee of the EABF met for an historic Annual General Meeting. Chairman Giles Cooper had previously gained approval from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office to change the name of the charity from the EABF to the Royal Variety Charity and Buckingham Palace and the Cabinet Office followed by awarding the charity the honour of official use of the title ‘Royal’ within the charity’s name. The Executive Committee subsequently voted on that day to change the name of the charity with immediate effect. The 2015 Royal Variety Performance returns to the Royal Albert Hall to mark this special year and will welcome HRH Prince Harry for the first time. 2015 will be the first Royal Variety Performance officially in aid of the Royal Variety Charity. THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE ONLINE >> For more information on the history of the Royal Variety Performance, please visit www.RoyalVarietyPerformance.org ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 35
wishing everyone a very enjoyable Royal Variety Performance 2015
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PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES RVP 87
2014 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 86
2013 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 85
2012 LONDON, Royal Albert Hall
RVP 84
2011 Manchester, Lowry
RVP 83
2010 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 82
Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE Included: Michael McIntyre, Bette Midler, English Gents, Simply Red, Jack Whitehall, Demi Lovato, McBusted, Stephen Mulhern, Pumeza, Sarah Millican, Ed Sheeran, Dame Shirley Bassey, Miss Saigon, Trevor Noah, Ellie Goulding, Collabro, Hamish McCann, Rod Woodward, Inala, Russell Kane, Alfie Boe, One Direction Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL Included: John Bishop, Gary Barlow, Torvill & Dean, Rizzel Kicks, I Can’t Sing X-Factor musical introduced by Harry Hill, Jessie J, Jason Byrne, Mary J Blige, Flavia Cacace & Dance ‘Til Dawn, Olly Murs, Robbie Williams, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Jimmy Carr, Attraction, Seann Walsh, Gareth Malone & Voices, Hal Cruttenden, John Newman, Bryn Terfel, Dame Edna Everage, Stephen Ward musical, Caro Emerald, Chas & Dave. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: David Walliams, Circus Space, Girls Aloud, Jimmy Tarbuck, Amanda Holden, Britain’s Got Talent Celebration - Diversity, Spelbound, Paul Potts & Stavros Flatley, Bradley Walsh, One Direction, Des O’Connor, Rhod Gilbert, Ronnie Corbett, Alicia Keys, Katherine Jenkins & Placido Domingo, The Bodyguard - Heather Headley, Robbie Williams, Alan Carr, Matilda, Bill Bailey, Ashleigh & Pudsey, Rod Stewart, Ballet Revolución, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Andrea Boocelli, Kylie Minogue, China’s Three Tenors, Neil Diamond. Held in the presence of HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL & VICE-ADMIRAL SIR TIMOTHY LAURENCE Included: Leona Lewis, Nicole Scherzinger, Tony Bennett, Cee Lo Green, Barry Manilow, Jason Manford, Pixie Lott, Jai McDowall, Penn & Teller, Peter Kay, Greg Davies, Jimeoin, Tim Minchin, David Garrett, Omid Djalili, The Boy With Tape on his Face, Il Divo, Phantom of The Opera, Hayley Westenra, Rolland Villazon, Base Berlin, 3run, The Dhol Foundation, Stomp, Royal Marines, Kodo. Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL Included: Adele, John Bishop, Susan Boyle, Chelsea Pensioners, Cheryl Cole, Jamie Cullum & Rumer, Ray Davies & Paloma Faith, Micky Flanagan, Sarah Millican, Kylie Minogue, N-Dubz, Spelbound, Michael McIntyre, Take That, Russell Watson & The Royal Ballet, Daniel Whiston, Jack Whitehall, The Cast of Les Misérables, Band of Blues and Royals, The Cast of The Wizard of Oz.
2009 Blackpool, Opera House
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Michael Bublé, Alexandra Burke, Hal Cruttenden, Miley Cyrus, Peter Kay, Diversity, Adam Hills, Lady Gaga, Bob Golding as Eric Morecambe, Les 7 Doigts de la Main, Katherine Jenkins, Paddy McGuinness, Jason Manford, Pilobolus, Mika, Bette Midler, André Rieu, Faryl Smith and The Soldiers, Paul Zerdin, The Heavy Cavalry & Cambrai Band, The Cast of Sister Act the Musical, The Cast of Here Come the Girls.
RVP 81
2008 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 80
2007 LIVERPOOL, Empire
RVP 79
2006 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 78
2005 CARDIFF, Millennium Centre
RVP 77
2004 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 76
2003 EDINBURGH, Festival Theatre
RVP 75
2002 LONDON, Apollo
RVP 74
2001 LONDON, Dominion
RVP 73
2000 LONDON, Dominion
RVP 72
1999 BIRMINGHAM, Hippodrome
RVP 71
1998 LONDON, Lyceum
Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL Included: Jimmy Carr, Brian May & Kerry Ellis, John Barrowman, Josh Groban, Leona Lewis, Rhod Gilbert, Rihanna, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Armstrong & Miller, The Pussycat Dolls, Naturally 7, Duffy, Take That, Only Men Aloud!, Peter Kay, George Sampson, Michael McIntyre, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, La Cage Aux Folles, The Lion King, Zorro. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: The Heavy Cavalry & Cambrai Band, Seal, Viva la Diva, Al Murray - The Pub Landlord, Enrique Iglesias, Big Howard, Little Howard, The Cast of Hairspray, James Blunt, Russell Brand, Simon Cowell, Philip Schofield, Kate Thornton, English National Ballet, Raymond Crowe, David Jordan, MOMIX - The White Widow, Paul Potts, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Bon Jovi, Lang Lang, Kanye West, Joan Rivers, Dany Daniel & Edina, Teatro, Stephen K. Amos, Philip Achille. Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL Included: John Barrowman with The Puppini Sisters & Capital Voices, The Cast of Spamalot, Omid Djalili, The Cast of The Sound of Music, Sugababes, Meat Loaf, Jamelia, David & Dania, Jason Byrne, Take That, The Cast of Wicked, Barry Manilow, The Cast of Avenue Q, James Morrison, Jump, Ken Dodd, Rod Stewart, Michael McIntyre. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Seventy-six Trombones led by Bradley Walsh, Blue Man Group, Katherine Jenkins, Catherine Tate, Charlotte Church, Joe Pasquale, Guys & Dolls, The Skating Willers, Il Divo, Alan Carr, Will Young, Funny Girls, Andre Portasio, Cliff Richard, Michael Parkinson, Sharon Osbourne,Ozzy Osbourne, Nicola Benedetti, Tomasz Reichelt, Caesar Twins, Dave Spikey, McFly, Andrea Bocelli & Bryn Terfel, Dame Shirley Bassey. Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES Included: Shane Richie, Natasha Kaplinsky, Funny Girls, Jamelia, Jimmy Carr, Brian McFadden & Delta Goodrem, Round The Horne Revisited, Girls Aloud, The Producers, Josh Groban, Ennio Marchetto, Michael Bublé, Lemar, Sir Elton John, Billy Elliot the Musical, Dara Ó Briain, Royal Variety Dancers and Capital Voices, Denise van Outen, David Omer & Yamil Borges, Will Smith, Shane Richie, Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne, Gwen Stefani, Liza Minnelli, English National Opera, Cliff Richard. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, Scottish Power Pipe Band, The Drambuie Kirklston Pipe Band, Laine Theatre Arts Dancers, Flur na H-alba, Rachel Stevens, Ronnie Corbett, Cat Deeley, Daniel Bedingfield, The Oriental Swan (Hua Wong, Chen Wen and Wen Xiaoyan), Busted, Danny Bhoy, Hayley Westenra, Donny Osmond, Gloria Estefan, Al Murray - The Pub Landlord, Jamie Cullum, Katie Melua, Cirque du Soleil, Westlife, Luciano Pavarotti. Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES Included: Bond the Legend, Will Young, Liberty X, Paul Zerdin, Shania Twain, Stomp, Men In Coats, Diana Krall & Natalie Cole, Bombay Dreams, Jimmy Carr, Kylie Minogue, Our House, Lee Mack, Elaine Stritch, Contact, Omid Djalili, Enrique Iglesias, Bob Monkhouse, Gareth Gates, Ronan Keating, Anastacia. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Included: Julian Clary, Hear’Say, Jethro, Cher, Anatoliy Zalevsky, Adam Watkiss, Samantha Mumba, Vinnie Jones, Charlotte Church and Robert Meadmore, Alessandro Safina, Denise van Outen, Donny Osmond, Jon Culshaw, Craig David, The Full Monty, Cirque du Soleil, Al Murray - The Pub Landlord, The Corrs, Russell Watson, Jennifer Lopez, Gypsy: A Musical Fable, Jackie Mason, Elton John. Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES Included: Hey Pachuco - Martin Crewes and the RVP Dancers, Jane McDonald, Ben Elton, Kylie Minogue, Blast!, Jane Horrocks, Martin Clunes, Mark Williams, Cirque du Soleil, Tim Vine, Ronan Keating, The King and I, Elaine Paige, Notre Dame de Paris, Ronnie Corbett, Dame Shirley Bassey, African Footprint, Richard Stilgoe & Peter Skellern, Star for a Night - Celestine Walcott-Gordon, Bryn Terfel, Dominic Holland, Lionel Richie, The Beautiful Game, Westlife. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Included: The Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Jean Butler & Colin Dunne, Brian Conley, Steps, Bradley Walsh, Billy Geraghty, Paul Zerdin, Charlotte Church, Ed Byrne, Westlife, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Ken Dodd, The Shaolin Monks, Terry Alderton, Andrea Bocelli, LeAnn Rimes, Joe Pasquale, Barry Manilow. Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES Included: Paulette Ivory, Laine Theatre Arts Dancers, Lily Savage, B*Witched, Peter Kay, Ulrika Jonsson, Eclipse, Oklahoma!, Jim Tavaré, Martine McCutcheon, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Barry Manilow, Annie - the Musical, Phil Cool, Boyzone, Rambert Dance Company, Ennio Marchetto, Roberto Alagna & Angela Gheorghiu, Stomp, Spice Girls.
PAGE 38 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
RVP 70
1997 LONDON, Victoria Palace
RVP 69
1996 LONDON, Dominion
RVP 68
1995 LONDON, Dominion
RVP 67
1994 LONDON, Dominion
RVP 66
1993 LONDON, Dominion
RVP 65
1992 LONDON, Dominion
RVP 64
1991 LONDON, Theatre Royal
RVP 63
1990 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 62
1989 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 61
1988 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 60
1987 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 59
1986 LONDON, Theatre Royal
RVP 58
1985 LONDON, Theatre Royal
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Chicago featuring Ruthie Henshall, Henry Goodman, Ute Lemper & Nigel Planer, Joe Pasquale, Enya, Barbara Cook and Michael Ball, Jonathan Ross, Des O’Connor, Andy Leach, Stephen Mulhern, Andy Ford, Lydia Griffiths, Vladimir, Fame – The Musical, Dr Trevor James, Andi Peters, Spice Girls, Aleggria House Troupe, Harry Hill, Michael Bolton, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake featuring Adam Cooper and Scott Ambler, Jim Davidson, Celine Dion. Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES Included: Bob Monkhouse, Moscow State Circus, David Strassman, Eternal, Pauline Quirke & Linda Robson, Robson & Jerome, Steve Coogan, Victor Borge, Joaquín Cortés, Des O’Connor, Brian Conley, Jim Davidson, Vik & Fabrini, Darcey Bussell & Jonathon Cope, Joan Rivers, Martin Guerre, Jackie Mason, Tom Jones. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Included: Carol Kenyon, Des O’Connor, Allan Stewart, Robson & Jerome, The Pendragons, Mack & Mabel, Alistair McGowan, Marvin Hamlisch, Bob Downe, Elaine Paige, Cirque du Soleil, Hale and Pace, The Cast of Riverdance, Joe Pasquale, Jolson - Brian Conley, Des O’Connor, Cliff Richard. Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES Included: Brian Conley, Ria Jones, Laine Theatre Arts Dancers, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts Choir, Ronnie Corbett, The Passing Zone, Lulu, Billy Pearce, The Cast of Oliver!, Dame Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black, Gary Wilmot, Jim Tavare, Gareth Rowan, Clive Anderson, Angela Gheorghiu, Viviana Durante & Zoltan Solymosi, Frank Skinner, Tony Bennett, Terry Wogan, The Cast of Riverdance, Take That. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Grease with Craig McLachlan and Debbie Gibson, Cilla Black, Frank Carson, Jim Henson’s Muppets, Right Said Fred, Lesley Garrett, Brian Conley, Simon Drake, Grigorovich Ballet of the Bolshoi Theatre, Bee Gees, Forever Plaid, Bradley Walsh, Darren Day, Joe Pasquale, Lulu, Pickwick with Sir Harry Secombe & Roy Castle, Michael Barrymore, London Community Gospel Choir. Held in the presence of THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE PRINCE & PRINCESS OF WALES Included: The Cast of Cats, Kiki Dee with Ria Jones, Jacqui Scott, Philip Gould, Paul Gyngell, Brian Conley, Phillip Schofield and the children of Ocklynge Junior School & Kentwood Junior School Choirs, Reva Rice & Lon Satton, Jimmy Tarbuck, Chinese State Circus, Chris Tarrant, Gloria Estefan, Steve Coogan, Jim Bailey, Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, Barry Manilow, Michael Ball, London Community Gospel Choir, Jim Tavaré, The Nigel Kennedy Ensemble, Sharon Gless, Mike Michaels, Leslie Caron, Tim Rice, Montserrat Caballé, Rita Rudner, Tom Conti, Bolshoi Ballet with Yuri Klevtsov & Nadezhda Gracheva, Gloria Hunniford, Michael Crawford with the London Choral Society. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: A full presentation of the West End musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg & Alain Boublil, Miss Saigon. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS MARGARET & THE COUNTESS OF SNOWDON Included: Sir John Mills, Wayne Dobson, Janet Jackson, Sir John Gielgud, Lisa Maxwell, Hayley Mills, Lionel Blair, Jeffrey Holland, Angharad Rees, Christopher Cazenove, Robert Meadmore, Bonnie Langford, Anneka Rice, Mark Curry, Jonathon Morris, Anita Harris, Jill Gascoine, Band of the Grenadier Guards, Geraldine McEwan, Wayne Sleep, Stephen Fry, Michael Denison & Dulcie Gray, Marilyn Hill-Smith, Arthur Davies, James Galway, Bernie Winters, Leslie Crowther, Simon Cadell, Patricia Hodge, Robert Hardy, Dame Vera Lynn, Howard Keel, Willard White, Roger Moore, Michael Caine, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Rowan Atkinson, Cliff Richard, Sir Richard Attenborough, Darcey Bussell, Irek Mukhamedov, Elaine Paige, Plácido Domingo, Dame Peggy Ashcroft, Sarah Brightman. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Michael Ball, David Essex, Rosemarie Ford, Paul Nicholas, Lisa Waddingham, George Marshall, The Cast of Coronation Street, Chris de Burgh, Nigel Kennedy, Freddie Starr, Melvyn Bragg, Frank Bruno, Harry Carpenter, David Frost, Hinge and Bracket, Diana Rigg, Selina Scott, Kenny Seagrove, Edward Woodward, Tina Turner, Northern Ballet Theatre, Elayne Boosler, Joe Longthorne, Julian Lloyd Webber, The Cast of Folies Bergère, The Argentine Gauchos, Lance Burton, Jerry Lewis, Sir John Mills. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: Ronnie Corbett, Bruce Forsyth, Mickey Rooney & Ann Miller, The Chongqing Troupe, Brian Conley, Kylie Minogue, The Cast of Neighbours, Mel Smith & Griff Rhys Jones, Cliff Richard, The Cast of Bread, Jackie Mason, Julio Iglesias, Bananarama, A-ha, The Golden Girls, Bob Monkhouse, Russ Abbot, Bella Emberg, Paul Daniels & Debbie McGee, Rick Astley, Michael Feinstein. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Anthony Newley, The Alan Harding Dancers, Jessica Martin, Gary Wilmot, Peter Goodwright, Hilary O’Neil, Allan Stewart, Bernie Winters, Leslie Crowther, George Carl, Bobby Davro, Johnny Logan, Les Dawson, Dolores Gray, Cannon & Ball, Eartha Kitt, Hale & Pace, James Galway, Jimmy Tarbuck, Shirley Bassey, Five Star, Ronn Lucas, Les Misérables, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Mel Tormé, George Shearing, Michael Barrymore, Sarah Brightman, Mike Yarwood, Johnnie Ray, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Secombe, Tom Jones, Vladimir Orchinikov, Evelyn Glennie, Michael Mcguire, Alan Brind. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: Alan Randall, Su Pollard & Ruth Madoc, Kit & The Widow, Marti Webb, Bob Monkhouse, Marti Caine, Angela Rippon, Petula Clark, Rory Bremner, Peking Opera, Victoria Wood, The Bluebells, Carolyn Pickles, Stéphane Grappelli, Nana Mouskouri, Victor Borge, Frank Carson, Valerie Masterson, Max Bygraves, Lulu, Michael Davis, Ronnie Corbett, Peter Ustinov, Paul Nicholas, Lesley Collier, Stephen Jefferies, Peggy Spencer, Latin American Formation Team, Cyd Charisse, Simon Howe, Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless, Ken Dodd, Huddersfield Choral Society, Val Doonican, Gloria Hunniford, Aled Jones, Paul McCartney, Nicholas Parsons, Paul Daniels. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Babes on Broadway, Show Boat, Gary Wilmot, The Screen Goddesses, Rolf Harris, Jean Simmons, Guys and Dolls, On the Town, Triplets, 42nd Street, Doreen Wells & Tudor Davies, Ron Moody, Sarah Brightman, Norman Wisdom, Su Pollard, Joan Collins, Roni Page, Steve Devereaux, Celeste Holm & Paul Nicholas, Frankie Vaughan & Barbara King, Martin Shaw & Simon Bowman, Liz Robertson, Gigi, Dennis Waterman & Maureen Lipman, José Carreras, Elisabeth Welch.
continued > > >
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 39
PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES RVP 57
1984 LONDON, Victoria Palace
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER & THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES Included: Leslie Crowther, Billy Dainty, Paul Nicholas, Bernie Winters, Jimmy Cricket, The Dancers, Mr Magoo, Brian Andro, Stuart Fell, The Acrobats, Anthony Gatto, Keith Harris, Denis Norden, The Bell Ringers, Les Dennis & Dustin Gee, Angharad Rees, Matthew Kelly, Charlie Drake, Russell Grant, Frank Finlay, Simon Callow, Eileen Atkins, Jean Marsh, Harvey and the Wallbangers, Paul Eddington, The Tillers, Ronnie Corbett, On Your Toes, Roy Hudd, Terry Wogan, James Galway, Henry Mancini, Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, Brian Wilde, David Jacobs, Howard Keel, Paul Daniels, The Cast of Me and My Girl.
RVP 56
1983 LONDON, Theatre Royal Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Included: Scott Sherrin, Gillian Gregory, Gene Kelly, Royal Ballet School, Bonnie Langford, The Frank & Kay Mercer Latin American Formation Team, The Jukebox Company, Steve Merritt, Michael Barrymore, Wayne Sleep, Graham Fletcher, Fred Evans, Tony Kemp, Sarah Kennedy, Billy Dainty, Monica Mason, Merle Park and David Wall, Kelly Monteith, Sheila White, Grace Kennedy, Clarke Peters, Finola Hughes, The Roly Polys, Claude Paul Henry, Sheila O’Neill, Gemma Craven, James Smillie, Julia McKenzie, Twiggy, Tommy Tune, Diana Moran, The British Amateur Gymnastics Team, Rock Steady Crew, George Carl, The Dancin’ Company, Natalia Makarova, Anthony Dowell, Les Dawson.
RVP 55
1982 LONDON, Theatre Royal Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER
Included: Richard Harris, Chris Power & Howard Keel, Helen Gelzer, Anna Dawson, Tony Adams, The Pirates of Penzance, The Pirate King, Roy Hudd, Christopher Timothy, Joe Black, Peter Glaze, Tommy Godfrey, Billy Gray, Lesley Collier, David Wall, Richard Stilgoe, Don Smoothey, Ami McDonald, Ruth Madoc, Isla St Clair, Kenneth Connor, Leslie Crowther, Billy Dainty, John Inman, Pete Murray, Bernie Winters, Karen Kay, Suzanne Danielle, Joyce Blair, John Hanson, Gloria Hunniford, Jan Leeming, Esther Rantzen, Vince Hill, Diane Langton, Lorna Dallas, Dennis Waterman, Liz Robertson, Topol, Wall Street Crash, Anton Rodgers, Bonnie Langford, Sylvester McCoy, Michael Praed, Chris Langham, Peter Skellern, Jim Casey, Roy Castle, Ele Woods, George Cole, Pamela Stephenson, Tim Curry, Sheena Easton, Moira Anderson, Bucks Fizz, Victor Spinetti, Amanda Redman, Robert Longden, Jack Jones, Angela Rippon, Millicent Martin, Ethel Merman.
RVP 54
1981 LONDON, Theatre Royal
RVP 53
1980 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 52
1979 LONDON, Theatre Royal
RVP 51
1978 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 50
1977 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 49
1976 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 48
1975 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 47
1974 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 46
1973 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 45
1972 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 44
1971 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 43
1970 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 42
1969 LONDON, Palladium
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Included: Thais Clark, Vernel Bagneris, Ylvia Williams, Topsy Chapman, Patti Boulaye, Pearly Gates, Precious Wilson, The Clark Brothers, Kenny Lynch, Jim Davidson, Lenny Henry, Itzhak Perlman, John Inman, Tim Rice, Lonnie Donegan, Marty Wilde, Acker Bilk, The Searchers, Dickie Henderson, Donovan, Lulu, Suzanne Danielle, Alvin Stardust, Adam & The Ants, The Shadows, Cliff Richard, Cambridge Buskers, Anita Harris, Jimmy Tarbuck, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephanie Lawrence, Julian Lloyd Webber, Elaine Paige, Mireille Mathieu. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: The Joe Loss Orchestra, Una Stubbs and Lionel Blair, Roy Hudd, Arthur Askey, Chesney Allen & Billy Dainty, Charlie Chester, Charlie Drake, Arthur English, Cyril Fletcher, Richard Murdoch, Sandy Powell, Tommy Trinder, Ben Warriss, Paul Squires, Bruce Forsyth, Grace Kennedy, Sheena Easton, Rowan Atkinson, Wall Street Crash, Harry Worth, Cleo Laine, Harry Mancini, Peggy Lee, Victor Borge, Sammy Davis, Jr., Larry Hagman, Danny Kaye, Aretha Franklin. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Included: Elaine Stritch, Jim Davidson, James Galway, Red Buttons, Ned Sherrin, Millicent Martin, David Kernan, Julia McKenzie, Marti Caine, Elisabeth Welch, Dr Evadne Hinge & Dame Hilda Bracket, Noel Edmonds, Amii Stewart, Boney M., Bill Haley & His Comets, Bernie Clifton, Vladimir Vasiliev & Ekaterina Maximova, Pas de deux, Les Dawson, Yul Brynner and Virginia McKenna, Maize Williams, Lis Mitchell, Marcia Barrett, Bobby Farrell. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: Arthur Askey, Lionel Blair, Leslie Crowther, Bobby Crush, Charlie Drake, Cyril Fletcher, Rolf Harris, John Inman, David Nixon, Beverley Sisters, Marti Caine, Wendy Craig, Sandra Dickinson, Esther Rantzen, Dilys Watling, June Whitfield, Pepe and his friends, Paul Daniels, Harry Secombe, The King Sisters, Mary O’Hara, Showaddywaddy, Danny La Rue, The Krankies, Andy Stewart, Moira Anderson, Scottish Ballet, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, Max Bygraves, The Kaye Sisters, The Nolan Sisters, Anne Shelton, Wayne Sleep, Lesley Collier, Diane Langton, Max Boyce. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Bob Hope, Julie Andrews, Paul Anka, Pam Ayres, Harry Belafonte, Brotherhood of Man, Tommy Cooper, Alan King, Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth, John Williams, Little and Large, Shirley MacLaine, Jim Henson’s Muppets, Rudolf Nureyev, Jack Parnell. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: Max Bygraves, Lionel Blair, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Los Reales Del Paraguay, Roger De Courcey, Lena Zavaroni, Arthur Mitchell, Gilbert Bécaud, Tom O’Connor, Dawson Chance, Wayne King, Mike Yarwood, Shirley Bassey. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Bruce Forsyth, KwaZulu, Kris Kemo, Dad’s Army, Count Basie Orchestra, Larry Parker, Michael Crawford and the cast of Billy, Dukes & Lee, Ruth Welting, Telly Savalas, Charles Aznavour, Rhos Male Voice Choir, Harry Secombe, Vera Lynn. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: Noele Gordon, A Salute to Vaudeville, Ted Rogers, The Hungarian State Dance Company, Billy Dainty, Josephine Baker, Paul Melba, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Paper Lace, George Carl, Roy Castle, Perry Como, Jack Parnell & His Orchestra. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Dougie Squires’ Second Generation, Dick Emery, Francis Van Dyke, Cliff Richard, Phillipe Genty & Company, Les Dawson, Rudolf Nureyev, Lynn Seymour, José Luis Moreno, Peters & Lee, Ronnie Corbett, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, Nana Mouskouri. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: Los Diablos Del Bombo, Dickie Henderson, Mike Yarwood, Elton John, Danny La Rue, Trio Hoganas, Rod Hull & Emu, The Jackson 5, Jack Jones, Ken Dodd, Warren Mitchell, Tony Booth, Una Stubbs, Dandy Nichols, Carol Channing, Liberace. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Included: The Young Generation, The Villams, Bruce Forsyth, Dailey and Wayne, The Stupids, Lovelace Watkins, Norman Collier, Hughie Green, The Little Angels of Korea, Jack Parnell & His Orchestra, The New Seekers, The New Dollys, Ken Goodwin, Sacha Distel, Stéphane Grappelli, Tommy Cooper, Shirley Bassey. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: The Pamela Devis Dancers, Max Bygraves, Peter Noone & Herman’s Hermits, Freddie Starr, Rostal and Schaefer, Sandy Powell, Kay White, Max Again, Bob Dixon, Dionne Warwick, The Doriss Girls, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Des O’Connor, Leslie Crowther, The Black light theatre of Prague, Caterina Valente, Marty Feldman, Andy Williams. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Des O’Connor, The Veterans, Roy Castle, Cilla Black, Danny La Rue, Shari Lewis, Harry Secombe, Ginger Rogers, Buddy Rich, Moira Anderson, Scènes de ballet, Ronnie Corbett, Mireille Mathieu, Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass, Frankie Howerd, Johnnie Spence and his Orchestra, The Mike Sammes Singers, Tom Jones.
PAGE 40 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
RVP 41
1968 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 40
1967 LONDON, Palladium
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER, PRINCE CHARLES, PRINCESS ANNE, PRINCESS MARGARET & THE EARL OF SNOWDON Included: Aimi MacDonald & Lionel Blair, Arthur Askey, Valente Valente, Morecambe & Wise, Sacha Distel, Czechoslavakian State Song & Dance Ensemble, Ted Rogers, Manitas de Plata & Company, Engelbert Humperdinck, Des O’Connor, Agnes O’Connell’s London Irish Girl Pipers, Val Doonican, Petula Clark, Ron Moody, Andre Tahon & Company, Diana Ross & The Supremes. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: The Bluebell Girls, Tanya, Rolf Harris, Lulu, Sandie Shaw, Val Doonican, Tommy Cooper, Romanian National Dance Company & Orchestra, The Rockin’ Berries, Ken Dodd, Vikki Carr, Mireille Mathieu, Dickie Henderson, Tom Jones, Bob Hope.
RVP 39
1966 LONDON, Palladium
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: The Bachelors, Bal Caron Trio, Gilbert Bécaud, The World Cup winning England football team, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jack Douglas, Hugh Forgie, Christopher Gable, Nadia Nerina, Juliette Gréco, Des O’Connor, Frankie Howerd, Jerry Lewis, Kenneth McKellar, Henry Mancini, Marvo & Dolores, Matt Monro, Wayne Newton, The Pietro Brothers, Gene Pitney, The Seekers, Tommy Steele.
RVP 38
1965 LONDON, Palladium
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Jack Benny, Max Bygraves, The Carmenas, The Dave Clark Five, Peter Cook, Ken Dodd, Johnny Hallyday, Arthur Haynes, Hope and Keen, Frank Ifield, The Kaye Sisters, Neville King, Spike Milligan, Dudley Moore, Peter, Paul & Mary, Peter Sellers, Dusty Springfield, Sylvie Vartan.
RVP 37
1964 LONDON, Palladium
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Included: The John Tiller Girls, Tommy Cooper, The Bachelors, Gil Dova, Cilla Black, Millicent Martin, Kathy Kirby, Brenda Lee, Dennis Spicer, Morecambe & Wise, Gracie Fields, The Moiseyev Dance Company, David Jacobs, Ralph Reader’s Gang Show, Jimmy Tarbuck, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Bob Newhart, Lena Horne with the Chico Hamilton Quartette.
RVP 36
1963 LONDON, Prince of Wales
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARGARET Included: The Clark Brothers, The Beatles, Luis Alberto del Paraná, Los Paraguayos, Charlie Drake, Tessa Davees & The Eight Charlies, Susan Maughan, Dickie Henderson, Francis Brunn, Buddy Greco, Nadia Nerina, Dickie Henderson, The Sleeping Beauty Cast, Joe Loss & His Orchestra, Larry Gretton, Ross MacManus, Rose Brennan, The Billy Petch Dancers, Wilfrid Brambell, Harry H. Corbett, Pinky & Perky, Jan & Vlasta Dalibor, Eric Sykes, Hattie Jacques, Michael Flanders, Donald Swann, Marlene Dietrich, Tommy Steele & West End Half a Sixpence Cast, Harry Secombe & Pickwick Cast, Marlene Dietrich with Bur Bacharac.
RVP 35
1962 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 34
1961 LONDON, Prince of Wales
RVP 33
1960 LONDON, Victoria Palace
RVP 32
1959 MANCHESTER, Palace
RVP 31
1958 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 30
1957 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 29
1955 LONDON, Victoria Palace
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: The Black and White Minstrels, Norman Vaughan, Rudy Cardenas, Rosemary Clooney, Dickie Henderson, Frank Ifield, Eartha Kitt, Cleo Laine, Johnny Dankworth, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Harry Secombe, Andy Stewart, Sophie Tucker, Mike & Bernie Winters Bob Hope with Edie Adams. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball & The Temperance Seven, Shirley Bassey, Jack Benny, George Burns, Lionel Blair, Max Bygraves, Maurice Chevalier, The Crazy Gang, Sammy Davis, Jr., Arthur Haynes, Bruce Forsyth, The McGuire Sisters, Morecambe and Wise, Nina & Frederik, Andy Stewart, Frankie Vaughan. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Max Bygraves, Nat King Cole, Russ Conway, Billy Cotton & His Band, The Crazy Gang, Sonia Rees, Lonnie Donegan, Diana Dors, Jimmy Edwards, Adam Faith, Bruce Forsyth, Bud Flanagan, Benny Hill, Robert Horton, Frankie Howerd, Hattie Jacques, Liberace, Vera Lynn, Bob Monkhouse, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Tiller Girls, Norman Wisdom, Harry Worth, Sammy Davis, Jr. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Included: Paddy Glyn, The Eight Mitchell Singers, The 20 John Tiller Girls, The Pietro Brothers, Marty Wilde, Cliff Richard, Harry Robinson, Lord Rockingham’s XI, Cherry Wainer, Benny Hill, Al Read with Jimmy Clitheroe, Tommy Trinder, Jean Louis Bert and Ilonka, The Dior Dancers, Belinda Wright, Jelke Yuresha, Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warriss, Roy Castle, BBC Northern Dance Orchestra with Sheila Buxton, Russ Conway, Ronnie Hilton, Jill Day, Marion Ryan, Dickie Henderson, Dora Bryan, Aileen Cochrane, Anne Shelton, Terry Wilson, Blackpool Tower Ballroom Children’s Ballet, Michael Medwin, Alfie Bass, Bill Fraser, Ted Lune, Norman Rossington, Liberace, Arthur Askey, The Hallé Orchestra, Tommy Trindor. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Talk of the Town Girls and Boys, The Stargazers, Yana and Max Bygraves, Shirley Ambrose, Margo Mitchell, Dawn Hughes, Terry James, Mary Mitchell, Gloria Kaye, Judith Harvey, Fay Laurie, Jane Burton, Christine Pocket, Jacqueline Warrell, Helen Wright, Gloria Davidson, Doreen Hermitage, Joan Jemison, Paddy James, Joyce White, Ruth Lawson, Roy Genson, Robert Lamont, Ray Tanva, Ian Kaye, Bill Harvey, Willie Martin, Karl Morley, Boyd MacKenzie, Peter Elliott, Paul Christian, The King Brothers, The Mudlarks, Beverley Sisters, The Charlivels, Tony Hancock, Cyril Stapleton & His Show Band, Frankie Vaughan, Bruce Forsyth, Bernard Bresslaw, Antonio and his Spanish Ballet Company, Roy Castle, Harry Secombe, Mantovani, Harry Worth, Lynette Ray, Hattie Jacques, Max Russell, G. H. Elliott, Hetty King, The George Carden Dancers,The George Mitchell Singers, The Ford Motor Works Military Band, The Dior Dancers, Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra, The Mecca Formation Dancers, David Nixon, Charlie Drake, Pat Boone, Mantovani, Adele Leigh, Eartha Kitt, Kenneth More, Norman Wisdom, Jerry Desmonde, Pip Hinton, Marion Grimaldi, Pamela Gale, Felix Felton, Terence Cooper, June Bronhill, Thomas Round, Rex Harrison, Julie Andrews, Stanley Holloway. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: The Kaye Sisters, Bob Monkhouse, Max Bygraves, The George Carden Dancers, The George Mitchell Singers, The Goofers, Jimmy Logan, Harry Secombe with the Morriston Orpheus Choir, The Crazy Gang, Leo De Lyon, Gracie Fields, Dickie Henderson, Count Basie & His Orchestra, Ralph Reader & his Gang Show, Judy Garland, Jimmy Brooks, Bud Flanagan, Ben Lyon, Jerry Desmonde, Alfred Marks, Brian Reece, Mario Lanza, Norrie Paramor’s Big Ben Banjo Band, Ronnie Hilton, Dickie Valentine, Malcolm Vaughan, Teddy Johnson, Dennis Lotis, Frankie Vaughan, David Whitfield, Herschel Henlere, Arthur Askey & Vera Lynn, Alicia Markova, Alma Cogan, The John Tiller Girls, Tommy Cooper, Winifred Atwell, Tommy Steele & His Steelmen. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Tommy Trinder, Latona, Graham and Chandel, The Victoria Palace Boys and Girls, Dave King and Julia Channing, The Crazy Gang, Ruby Murray, Benny Hill with Olivia Dale, Jeremy Hawk and Ronnie Brody, Patricia Kirkwood with Robert Beatty, Douglas Byng, George Carden, Walter Crisham, John Gregson, Bobby Howes, Hugh McDermott, Terence Morgan and Brian Reece, Cyril Stapleton with the BBC Show Band and The Stargazers, Lena Horne, John Warner, Eleanor Drew, Dorothy Reynolds, Newton Blick, Yvonne Coulette, James Cairncross, Michael Meacham, Christine Finn, Michael Aldridge, Pat Heywood, Joe Greig, Bob Harris, Johnnie Ray, Robert Dhery, Colette Brosset, Jacques Legras, Christian Duvalein, Pierre Olaf and Company, Alfred Drake, George Jessel, Doretta Morrow and Company, Leslie Henson, Jimmy Edwards, Richard Attenborough, Diana Dors, Edmund Willard, Bruce Selton, Emrys Jones, Lauri Lupino Lane, The Chinese Classical Theatre Company, Moscow State Folk Dance Company, Brian Reece.
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 41
PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES RVP 28
1955 BLACKPOOL, Opera House
RVP 27
1954 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 26
1953 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 25
1952 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 24
1951 LONDON, Victoria Palace
RVP 23
1950 LONDON, Victoria Palladium
RVP 22
1949 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 21
1948 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 20
1947 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 19
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Reginald Dixon, Lupino Lane, George Truzzi, Peter Glaze, Kenneth Sandford, Pamela Bromley, Vera Day, The John Tiller Girls, The Victoria Palace Girls & Boys, Kathryn Moore, The Flying De Pauls, The Barbour Brothers & Jean, The Amandis, The Crazy Gang, Morecambe and Wise, Bill Waddington, Josephine Anne, The Showgirls, Arthur Askey, Geraldo and his Orchestra, Jewel and Warriss, Littlewoods Girls Choir, Joan Regan, Alma Cogan, Five Smith Brothers, George Formby, 1st Battalion The Liverpool Scottish, Beryl Grey with John Field, Jack Tripp with the John Tiller Girls, children from the Blackpool Tower Ballet, Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Wilfred & Mabel (Pickles), Albert Modley, Flanagan and Allen, Eddie Fisher with the BBC Northern Orchestra, Al Read. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: Fay Lenore and the Palladium Boys & Girls, Schaller Brothers, George Mitchell Choir, Jimmy Wheeler, Eric Robinson Orchestra & Singers, Eddie Calvert, Joan Turner, Richard Hearne, Howard Keel, Chesney Allen, Arthur Askey, Max Bygraves, Bud Flanagan, Billy Russell, Donald B. Stewart, Brian Reece, Harry Green, Katie Boyle, Jack Hylton, Al Read, Norman Wisdom, Gillian Moran, Herbert Hare, Florence & Frederic, The Crazy Gang with Paul Cutts & Shirley Eaton, David Whitfield, Frankie Laine, Jack Parnell & His Orchestra, Ted Heath and his music, Dawn White and her Glamazons, John Tiller Girls, Rudy Horn, Noël Coward, Diana Churchill, Jack Buchanan, Joan Sims, Frankie Howerd, Gladys Cooper, Binnie Hale, Peter Sellers, Donald Wolfit, Hastings Girls Choir, Elsie Randolph, Thora Hird, Leslie Henson, Dick Bentley, Michael Denison, Nigel Patrick, Thorley Walters, Anthony Steel, Brian Reece, Walter Crisham, Bruce Trent, Peggy Cummins, Shirley Eaton, Dulcie Gray, Shani Wallis, Bob Hope with Moira Lister, Jerry Desmonde & the Hope Repertory Company. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH & PRINCESS MARGARET Included: Peter Knight’s Merry Makers, Harry Dawson, Jean Campbell, Pearl Carr, Dick James, Mackenzie Reid and Dorothy Elizabeth Webb, Alfred Marks, Edmund Hockridge, Tommy Cooper, Eve Boswell, Jack Warner, Stubby Kaye with members of The Cast of Guys and Dolls, Jo, Jac & Joni, Anne Shelton, Max Bygraves, Sheila O’Neill & Veit Bethke, Danya and Alvarez, Gloria Nord, Len Liggett and Pam Murray with members from the Corps de Ballet and the Empire Pool Festival Choir, John Tiller Girls, Ethel Revnell, Henry Cotton, Jimmy James, Ronnie Ronalde, Vivian Blaine, Jimmy Edwards, Eamonn Andrews. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Included: The Victoria Palace Tiller Girls, The Three Barbour Brothers, Medlock and Marlowe, Crompton, Three Monarchs, Billy Cotton and his Band, Norman Wisdom, Winifred Atwell, Vic Oliver, Beverley Sisters, Deep River Boys, Billie Worth, Jeff Warren, Donald Burr, The Crazy Gang, Gracie Fields with the Ilford Girls Choir and the George Carden Ensemble, Warren, Latona and Sparks, Rob Murray, Terry-Thomas, Gerry Brereton, John Ellison, George Cameron, Ted Ray, Beniamino Gigli, Arthur Askey, Max Bygraves, Zoe Gail, Reginald Dixon, Patricia Kirkwood, Jimmy Edwards, Jack Jackson, Vera Lynn, Jewel & Warriss, Josef Locke, Joy Nichols, Fred Russell, Maurice Chevalier, Ian Wallace, The Band of the Coldstream Guards, Tony Hancock. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II & PRINCESS MARGARET Included: The Gang and ‘Monsewer’ Eddie Gray, The Cavendish Singers, The John Tiller Girls, Erica Yorke, The Victoria Palace Girls, The Marie De Vere Dancers, Vera Lynn, Harry Secombe, The Wiere Brothers, Stanley Black and the Dance Orchestra, Tony Fayne, David Evans, Richard Murdoch, Kenneth Horne, Arthur English, Sally Ann Howes, Jimmy Edwards, Florence Desmond, Norman Evans, Alan and Blanche Lund, Pearl Primus and her Company, Hoops - The Boys, Joaquin Pérez Fernandes and his Latin American Company, The Mary De Vere Dancers, Johnny Hutch and the Seven Volants, Sam Browne and his Singers, The Keyboard Quintette, Carroll Gibbons, Billy Thorburn, Ivor Moreton & Davy Kaye, Charlie Kunz, Patricia Morison, Barbara Bruce, Nervo and Knox, Naughton and Gold, Bud Flanagan, Miklos Gafni, Vera Lynn and Michael Dalton, Frances Day, Florence Desmond, Sally Ann Howes, Adelaide Hall, Sylvia Peters, Carole Lynne, Valerie Tandy, Anona Winn, Chesney Allen, Jimmy Gold, Gracie Fields, George Mitchell Choir, Jack Radcliffe, Cicely Courtneidge, Flanagan & Allen. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI & HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH Included: Tommy Trinder, Sheila Matthews, The 20 John Tiller Girls, The Three Bentley Sisters, The Debonairs, Terrys Juveniles, Norman & Ladd, Max Bygraves, Billy Cotton & His Band, Frankie Howerd, The Five Smith Brothers, Kaye Ballard, Helen Gallagher, Carole Lynne, Allan Jones, The Merry Macs, Gracie Fields, The George Mitchell Glee Club, Jonathan Lucas, David Lober, Donald Peers, Jack Benny, Dinah Shore, Binnie Hale, Nat Jackley, Naughton & Gold, Max Wall, Nervo & Knox, Max Miller, Flanagan and Allen, The Band that Jack Built, Bud Flanagan. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI & HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH, Princess Elizabeth & Princess Margaret Included: John Sanger, Arthur Bell, Eric Coates, Phil Parke, Johnny Lockwood, Les Charlivels, Joy Nichols, Michael Bentine, Bill Johnson, Peter Cavanagh, Marilyn Hightower, Elsa & Waldo, Peggy Ryan and Ray McDonald, The Tiller Girls, Reginald Dixon, Band of the Royal Marines, Harvey, The Seven Ashtons, Wilfred Pickles, Dolores Gray, Borrah Minnevitch’s Harmonica Rascals featuring Johnny Puleo, Maurice Chevalier, Noele Gordon, Ted Ray. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI & HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH Included: The Blackpool Tower Circusettes, The Cromwells, Kirsta and Kristel, The Myrons, Warren Latona and Sparks, Charlie Chester and his Radio Gang, Daphne Kiernander, Sky High Corps De Ballet, Jayne and Adam Di Gatano, The Colstons, Nicholas Brothers, The 24 John Tiller Girls, Ted Ray, George and Bert Bernard, Stewart McPherson, Randolph Sutton, Nellie Wallace, Billy Danvers, Ella Shields, Talbot O’Farrell, Gertie Gitana, G. H. Elliott, Ted Heath and his Band, Derek Roy, The Radio Revellers, The Melachrino Strings, Julie Andrews, The Luton Choir Girls, The Great Alexander Troupe, Arthur Askey, Buster Shaver and his trio of Lilliputians, The Crazy Gang, Danny Kaye, The Skyrockets Orchestra. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI & HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH, PRINCESS ELIZABETH & PRINCESS MARGARET Included: Hy Hazell, The Alec Thomas Quartet, Marilyn Hightower, Three Shades, Valerie Tandy, Bobbie Tranter, Tony Hulley, The Three Astaires, Hortobagyi Troupe, Billy Russell, Wilson, Keppel and Betty, Norman Evans, Borrah Minnevitch’s Harmonica Rascals, Mervyn Saunders, Mona & Oliver & The Girls, Wally Boag, Bud Flanagan, Jimmy Nervo, Teddy Knox, Charlie Naughton, Jimmy Gold, Frank Holloway, Willie Carlisle, Freddie Malcom, Jack Durrant, Robert Wilson, The Dagenham Piper Girls, Vic & Joe Crastonian, James Currie’s Water Spectacle, Alan Bailey, Terri Carol, Cynthia & Gladys, The Three Garcias, Levanda, Marie Louise, Mariora, Olga Varona, Eva May Wong, Bobbie Kimber, Dolores Gray & Bill Johnson, The Zoris, Tommy Trinder, Gracie Fields, Laurel & Hardy.
1946 LONDON, Palladium
Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI & HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH Included: From High Time - The Girls, Tony Hulley, Barbara Bentham, Brent Fields, Billy Castle, Bobby Tranter and Mary Naylor, The Cairoli Brothers, Nat Jackley with Harry Moreny, Dick Beamish, Arthur Vollum, Sammy Curtis, Bob Bromley and his puppets, Terry-Thomas Dance Ensemble with Alan & Blanche Lund, Gil Johnson, The Three Ross Sisters, Halama and Konarski, The Cabana Accordion Six, Nat Mills & Bobby, Robert Lamouret, Arthur Askey, Harry Lester & His Hayseeds, Tessie O’Shea, Charlie Chester, Dick Henderson, Jimmy Jewel, Charlie Naughton, Jimmy Gold, Eddie Gray, El Grenadas and Peter, Jack Jackie, Koba and Kalee, Reggie Redcliffe, Rene Strange, Henri Vadden, Sid Field with Jerry Desmonde, Alfie Dean, The Wallabies and the Palladium Boys & Girls, Ben Warriss, Marianne Lincoln, Oscar Natzka, Band of the Training Ship.
RVP 18
1945 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 17
1938 LONDON, Coliseum
Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI & HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH Included: Roy Mitchell, Jill Manners, The Nine Avalons, Jules Adrian, Grace Spero, Beryl Kaye, Vic Oliver, Maurice Colleano, George Doonan, Will Hay, Douglas Wakefield, Chuck O’Neil, Billy Nicholls, Peter Byrne, Michael Hunt, Billy Nelson, Roy Jeffries, Delya, Sid Field, Jerry Desmonde, Stella Moya, Denise Clifford, Wilson, Keppel & Betty, Webster Booth & Anne Ziegler, Tommy Trinder, Chappie D’Amato, Van Phillips, Reginald Burston. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI & HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH Included: The Crastonians, The Two Leslies, Murray and Mooney, Evelyn Laye, Renée Houston and Donald Stewart, Ken Davidson and Hugh Forgie, From Running Riot - Richard Hearne & Rosalind Atkinson, The Stuart Morgan Dancers with Lita D’Oray, Harold Hart, William Kat, Jack Payne’s Orchestra, Peggy Cochrane, Mary Lee, Betty Kent, Biddy Barton, Teddy Foster, Ronnie Grearder, Rob Ashley, The Dagenham Girl Pipers, Three Aberdonians, Les Allen, Laurie Day, Roy Willis, Will Hatton, Ethel Manners, Elsie and Doris Waters, The John Tiller Girls, the cast of Me and My Girl (Lupino Lane, George Graves, Betty Frankiss and Teddy St. Denis), Jack Barty, George Carney, Claphan and Dwyer, Harry Champion, Kate Carney, Will Fyffe, Florrie Forde, Gaston and Andree, Tommy Handley, G. S. Melvin, Talbot O’Farrell, Gillie Porter, Harry Tate, Vesta Victoria, Bransby Williams, Anona Winn.
PAGE 42 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
RVP 16
1937 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 15
1935 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 14
1934 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 13
1933 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 12
1932 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 11
1931 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 10
1930 LONDON, Palladium
RVP 09
1928 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 08
1927 LONDON, Victoria Palace
RVP 07
1926 LONDON, Alhambra Palace
RVP 06
1925 LONDON, Alhambra Palace
RVP 05
1923 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 04
1922 LONDON, Hippodrome
RVP 03
1921 LONDON, Hippodrome
RVP 02
1919 LONDON, Coliseum
RVP 01
1912 LONDON, Palace Theatre
Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI & HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH Included: From London Rhapsody, Len Lewis, George Lane, Raymond Newell, Henry Carlisle, Serge Ganjou, Henry Carlisle, Mary Young, Rosarito, George Ganjou, The Gypsy Boys Band, Norman Evans, Florence Desmond, Señor Wences, George Formby, Cicely Courtneidge with the Harry Dennis Dance Sexette and the Sherman Fisher Girls, Max Miller, Jack La Vier, Ethel Revnell & Gracie West, Ralph Reader’s Gang Show, The London Palladium Gang Show, Gracie Fields, Will Fyffe. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Hannah Wyatt, Jeanne Devereaux, Nervo & Knox, Naughton & Gold, Flanagan and Allen, Ernie Gerrard, The Six Lias from round about Regent Street, The Diamond Brothers, Joe Jackson, Stanley Holloway, Anton Dolin, Jessie Matthews, J. Sherman Fisher’s Palladium Girls, The Western Brothers, Harrison & Fisher, Myles Williams, The Harmony Revellers, Bea Hutten, Syd Railton, Del Foss, Boy Foy, Sandy Powell with Jimmy Fletcher & Joy Jeffries, Three Cossacks, Elsie Carlisle & Sam Browne, Will Mahoney, Arthur Reece, Kate Carney, Gus Elen, Florrie Forde, Harry Champion, Harry Roy & His Band. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Kafka, Stanley and Mae Quartette, The Three Bonos, Frank Boston, J. Sherman Fisher’s Palladium Girls, The Three Sailors, Arthur Lucan & Kitty McShane, Elsie & Doris Waters, Cedric Hardwicke, Osmund Wilson, Cicely Oates, George Robey, Henry Hall and the BBC Dance Orchestra, Jack Holland & June Hart, Murray & Mooney, George Clarke, Bert Platt, Alec Dane, Norah Dwyer, Billy Bennett, Jack Hylton & His band. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: The London Palladium Crazy Gang, J. Sherman Fisher’s Palladium Girls, Omar, Billy Russell, Geraldo & His Tango Orchestra, Gaston & Andree, The Ganjou Brothers & Juanita Richards with Billy Hendrix, Aline Fournier and Vittorio Togo, Cardini, The Company, The Carlo Medini Six, Wilson, Keppel & Betty, William & Joe Mendel, Billy Bennett, Evelyn Laye, Jack Hobbs, Roy Fox & His band. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Stetson, Christoper & Columbus, The Bells, Levanda and the Nine Diamonds, Billy Danvers, George Clarke with Madge Aubrey, Flanagan & Allen, Eugene’s Magyar band, Jack Buchanan, Will Fyffe, Errol Addison, Iris Kirkwhite, Nervo & Knox, Naughton & Gold, J. Sherman Fisher’s Palladium Girls, Lawrence Tiller Girls, G. S. Melvin, Jasper Maskelyne, Cicely Courtneidge, Jack Hylton & His band, Little Doreen, Harry Champion, Vesta Victoria, Fred Russell, Marie Kendall. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: P.L. Clark, Mona Grey, Norman Long, The Victoria Girls, Jack Edge, Debroy Somers & His band, Albert Whelan, Lily Morris, Georgie Wood, Dolly Harmer, Tom Blacklock, Mr. Flotsam and Mr. Jetsam, The Three Huxster Brothers. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Sixteen Palladium Girls, Harry Prescott & His seven Hindustans, Tom Payne and Vera Hilliard, George Clarke, Julian Rose, De Groot with David Bor, Reginald Kilbey & Gillie Potter, Max Wall, Chilton & Thomas, Howell Harger, Naldi, Nervo & Knox, Coram, Odali Careno, Totò, Will Hay with Will Hay Jnr & H. Gordon Saunders, Gaston Palmer, Jack Payne & His BBC band. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Larry Kemble, Stanelli & Douglas, The Victoria Girls, A.C. Astor, Lillian Burgess, Noni & Horace, Victor Andre, Clarkson Rose, Anton Dolin, Gracie Fields, Will Hay, Jack Hylton & His band. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: P.L. Clark, Mona Grey, Norman Long, The Victoria Girls, Jack Edge, Debroy Somers & His band, Albert Whelan, Lily Morris, Georgie Wood, Dolly Harmer, Tom Blacklock, Mr. Flotsam & Mr. Jetsam, The Three Huxster Brothers. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: The Twelve Famous Tiller Girls, Dick Henderson, Robb Wilton, Lillian Burgess, Jack Hylton & His famous band, Conn Kenna, Carr & Parr, Bransby Williams, The Houston Sisters, Billy Bennett, Rick Hayes. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: George Hurd, Mr & Mrs Tree, Will Hay, Ethel Hook, J. Milton Hayes, J.W. Jackson’s Twelve English Dancers, G. H. Elliott, Will Fyffe, Nervo and Knox, Talbot O’Farrell, Harry Tate & Company. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Bobbie Hind & His all-British Sonara Band, Rupert Hazell, Katrina & Joan, The Griffith Brothers, The Samurai with Lola Karsavina, Sessue Hayakawa, Lewis Gilbert, Ann Trevor and Dora de Winton, Royal Albert Hall Orchestra, Brighter London with Billy Merson, Reg Sharland, Eddie Jaye, Bernard Dudley, Laddie Cliff & Rena Hall, Russian Blue Bird Players, Alfred Lester, Loie Fuller Band, Marimba Band, The Disorderly Room with Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Tommy Handley, Jamieson Dodd, Cecil Bainbridge & Fred Kemp, Louis Parker, Barclay Gammon. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V, HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY & HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF NORWAY Included: The Flemings, Will Fyffe, Kharum, Du Calion, Lorna & Toots Pound, P. T. Selbit, Muriel George & Earnest Butcher, Tom Webster, Arthur Prince, Harry Weldon, Trix Sisters, The Mirthful Jovers. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V, HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Frederick Sylvester & Co, Norah Blaney & Gwen Farrar, G. S. Melvin, Renee and Godfrey, Malcolm McEachern, Rebla, The Peep Show with Annie Croft, Reginald Sharland, Fred Allandale, Albert Darnley & Mary Gibbs, J. Milton Hayes, Billy Merson, The Five Petleys. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Sir Edward Elgar & His Orchestra, The Flying Banvards, Ernest Hastings, George Robey and Violet Loraine, Sam Barton, Arthur Prince, Harry Tate, Clarice Mayne, Grock, Du Calion, Ethel Hook. Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: George Robey, Arthur Prince, Pipifax and Penlo, Barclay Gammon, The Palace Girls, George H. Chirgwin, The Bogannys, Fanny Fields, Paul Cinquevalli, Harry Tate, Ida Crispi &Fred Farrn Vesta Tilley, La Pia, Little Tich, Alfred Lester, Clarice Mayne, Charles Aldrich, David Devant, Wilkie Bard, Harry Lauder, Cecilia Loftus.
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PATRONS OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY The Royal Variety Charity has been honoured with Royal Patronage from the reigning Monarch ever since 1921, when His Majesty King George V became the first Patron of the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund (the previous name of the Royal Variety Charity).
His Majesty King George V also decreed, in the same year, that the Royal Variety Performance would become an annual event, after the success of the two previous Royal shows in 1912 and 1919.
He added that the Monarch, or a senior member of the Royal Family, would attend an annual performance, in aid of Brinsworth House and the Royal Variety Charity, once a year thereafter, to demonstrate the family’s love and support for the entertainment industry and its associated charity.
Royal patronage has continued ever since, and the Royal Variety Charity is proud to also have had as its Patrons, His Majesty King George VI, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother & Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
1921 - 1936 HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY
1936 - 1952 HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI
1936 - 2002
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER
1952 - Present HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
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WISHING EVERYONE A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENING AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Laurie Mansfield Associates Suite 17, Adam House 7-10 Adam Street London WC2N 6AA T 020 7520 9411 E info@lauriemansfield.co.uk
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ITV STUDIOS IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
LEE CONNOLLY Creative Director FIONA CLARK Executive Producer JULIA KNOWLES Director MARK WAGMAN Talent Executive FREDDIE SORENSEN Senior Producer COLIN FARQUHAR Producer JESSICA GORDON Assistant Producer KIRSTY PROFFITT Junior Researcher AMANDA GEORGE Line Producer PETER BINGEMANN Production Designer DAVID ARCH Musical Director DAVE DAVEY Lighting Director KEVIN DUFF Sound Supervisor ANTHONY VAN LAAST & DAN SHIPTON Stage Directors LINDA MARTIN Costume Designer NICHOLA BELLAMY Make-Up Supervisor
ITV STUDIOS
ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT ITV Studios Entertainment Department is proud to produce The Royal Variety Performance 2015, and continue ITV’s long association with this prestigious event. The Entertainment Department produces around 700 hours of programming a year for a range of terrestrial and multichannel broadcast networks. We specialise in mainstream, broad entertainment, and our output has recently included; Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! The Jeremy Kyle Show Judge Rinder Surprise Surprise Sunday Night at the Palladium Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris Love Island Keep It in the Family You’ve Been Framed The British Soap Awards The Olivier Awards One Hundred and Eighty! Countdown University Challenge It’ll Be Alright on the Night Text Santa Tricked Who’s Doing the Dishes? The Royal Variety Performance will transmit on ITV in early December.
JEREMY TURNER OB Unit Manager PHIL PIOTROWSKY Camera Supervisor
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Presented annually in aid of the Royal Variety Charity
2 0 1 5
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
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ONE Staged in the presence of
His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales KCVO Executive Producers, Royal Variety Charity Laurie Mansfield, Giles Cooper & Phil Dale Creative Director, ITV Studios Lee Connolly Executive Producer, ITV Studios Fiona Clark Director, ITV Studios Julia Knowles
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THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
2015 ACT ONE AT A GLANCE
ACT ONE
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YOUR HOST: JACK
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WHITEHALL
ONE DIRECTION RICKY MARTIN CHRIS RAMSEY KACEY MUSGRAVES CIRQUE DU SOLEIL JOSH GROBAN LITTLE MIX MATT FORDE KYLIE MINOGUE JEFF LYNNE’S ELO INTERVAL OF 20 MINUTES
ACT ONE YOUR HOST
JACK WHITEHALL W
ith his boundless energy and razor-sharp wit, Jack Whitehall is regarded as one of the UK’s most exciting and accomplished comedy talents. His meteoric rise was kickstarted in 2009 when he was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. After years of hard work and dedication, Jack performed his debut arena tour in 2014, becoming the youngest solo comic to play the O2. Jack’s first major foray into acting was his portrayal of former public schoolboy JP in the hit comedy drama ‘Fresh Meat’. Both Jack and the show received continued praise including a second British Comedy Award nomination for Jack as audiences devoured a further two series. In 2012 Jack co-wrote and starred in the hit school-based sitcom ‘Bad Education’ as hapless teacher Alfie Wickers. The critically acclaimed show ran for three series and culminated in ‘The Bad Education Movie’ – a feature film which Jack also co-wrote. His multi-faceted success also includes appearances on hit TV panel shows such as ‘QI’, ‘Big Fat Quiz of the Year’, and ‘Have I Got News For You’ and he has been a series regular on the BAFTA award winning ‘A League Of Their Own’ for five series. In 2013, Jack began hosting his own chat show ‘Backchat’ alongside his father Michael. Last year, Jack was crowned “King of Comedy” for the third consecutive year at the British Comedy Awards. Endlessly in-demand, he is also due to appear opposite Julia Roberts and Jennifer Anniston in Hollywood movie ‘Mother’s Day’ next year. “It’s a tremendous honour to be hosting The Royal Variety Performance. Having been lucky enough to perform for Prince Charles and Prince William in previous years, I look forward to the opportunity of sailing a little too close to the wind in the presence of Prince Harry this time round. It’s my third time on the show and I still am yet to perform in front of the Queen - she must be really desperate not to see my act.” ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 51
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2015 ONE DIRECTION Formed and launched in 2010 on ‘The X Factor’, One Direction comprises Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. Their debut single, ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ went straight to No. 1 in the UK charts and their debut album hit the top spot in 15 different countries, making them the first British group ever to have a debut album top the Billboard. Since erupting onto the pop scene, the global sensation have racked up nine consecutive UK Top 10 singles and their latest single ‘Drag Me Down’ saw them smash another US record; entering the Hot 100 Chart at No. 3 it was the highest debut of 2015. To date, the phenomenal band has been honoured with five Brit awards. The group are due to release their eagerly anticipated fifth album ‘Made in the A.M.’ in November. One Direction join The Royal Variety Performance for the third time, following their latest 80-date world tour, ‘On the Road Again’. “It is always a privilege to perform at The Royal Variety Performance, especially alongside legends like Sir Elton John. It’s a show that has something for everyone and we are really excited to be a part of it.”
RICKY MARTIN Grammy Award winner, Ricky Martin became a global superstar upon the release of his World Cup anthem ‘La Copa de la Vida’, which reached No. 1 in over 70 countries. This led to a groundbreaking performance at the Grammy Awards and the release of his first English-language album, ‘Ricky Martin’. Since then, Ricky has sold over 70 million albums, more than 95 platinum records and 40 gold records. He has received numerous awards, including a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A captivating performer, Martin has also starred on Broadway in 2012 playing the role of Che Guevara in ‘Evita’ and appeared as a guest star on musical series ‘Glee’ as well as a coach on this past season of ‘The Voice’ Australia. Martin, a passionate defender of children’s rights, dedicates his non-profit, ‘Ricky Martin Foundation’ to the wellbeing of children around the world against human trafficking. Continuing to perform to sold-out audiences and flying in especially tonight, Ricky Martin boasts stratospheric stardom guaranteed to set the stage alight. “What a privilege to have been invited to perform at the world renowned Royal Variety Performance. I am so excited to be returning to the UK for this special occasion.” PAGE 52 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
ACT ONE CHRIS RAMSEY
Chris Ramsey is one of the hottest rising comics in the UK. The Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated comedian has enjoyed sell-out runs of his last three UK tours and this autumn Chris is releasing his hotly anticipated debut stand-up DVD ‘All Growed Up’. Chris is known to TV audiences for his appearances on shows such as ‘Celebrity Juice’, ‘Sweat the Small Stuff’ and ‘Virtually Famous’. With his high-energy delivery, hugely engaging manner and offthe-cuff style, this cheeky comic has also impressed with appearances on ‘Live at The Apollo’, ‘The John Bishop Show’ & ‘Live at the Comedy Store’ and recently featured on C4’s historical reality show ‘Time Crashers’. Chris also made an impressive transition into acting, starring in the BBC comedy series ‘Hebburn’ in 2012-2013. “As a Northerner I never thought I’d ever get to see a member of the Royal Family, let alone perform in front of one… to me they are almost mythical. It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to be part of such a prestigious show. This is also a personal victory for me in my marriage as my wife met the Queen when she was 7 and has never shut up about it.”
KACEY MUSGRAVES 27 year old Kacey Musgraves is country music’s biggest new star. Released in 2013, her major label debut ‘Same Trailer Different Park’ won a Grammy for Best Country Album the following year in a contest that saw Musgraves ranked against the likes of Taylor Swift. Her break through single ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ scooped the Grammy Award for Best Country Song and ‘Follow Your Arrow’ went on to win the coveted Country Music Award for Song of the Year. It is little wonder that she has such a vast fanbase, as exemplified by her invitation to join Katy Perry onstage in 2014. Preceded by the single ‘Biscuits’, Kacey’s latest album ‘Pageant Material’ appeared in June 2015 debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts. The appetite for Kacey continues to snowball; this year alone she has played Glastonbury and Hyde Park among other European festivals. Kacey joins us tonight mid way through her ‘Kacey Musgraves Country and Western Rhinestone Revue’ tour. “I’m really excited to be bringing a little bit of Texas to The Royal Variety Performance! I absolutely love performing in the UK so it’s such an honour to be here. I know it will be a special evening.” ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 53
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2015 CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Since its formation in 1984, 150 million spectators have witnessed a Cirque du Soleil show. The company have wowed audiences with their visionary theatrical creations in over 300 cities, in more than 40 countries, across six continents. Tonight’s performance features a captivating sequence from one of Cirque du Soleil’s newest touring shows, ‘Amaluna’. Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus, ‘Amaluna’ is loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. ‘Amaluna’ invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Their queen, Prospera, directs her daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony in a rite that honours femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance, which marks the passing of these insights and values from one generation to the next. ‘Amaluna’ premieres in London on January 16th, marking Cirque Du Soleil’s 20th Anniversary since their initial performance at The Royal Albert Hall. We are delighted to have them perform a sneak preview of their stunning show tonight. “It is a great honour for ‘Amaluna’ to be performing for His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales. The Royal Variety Performance is an institution in the UK and we can’t wait to be on stage with all the other acts”.
JOSH GROBAN Josh Groban is an internationally renowned singer, songwriter and actor whose baritone voice is instantly recognisable and unparalleled among his peers. With worldwide record and DVD sales surpassing 30 million, the multi-platinum artist has scored seven Top 10 albums in the US to date. His latest release, ‘Stages’ topped the UK album chart upon its launch earlier this year. Boasting a myriad of famous fans, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner has performed at several star studded events including Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday concert, the Superbowl, and the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies to audiences including American Presidents and the Pope. Effortlessly entertaining, Josh is a favourite of American talkshow hosts, having featured in a plethora of notable comedy skits. With his extraordinary mix of impeccable ability and style, Josh has also lent his talents to various award shows, has recorded soundtracks for major motion pictures and starred on Broadway. “The Royal Variety Performance was one of my first television appearances in the UK, at the beginning of my career and I’m always honoured and excited to return to this special night.” PAGE 54 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
ACT ONE LITTLE MIX
Since defying the odds by becoming the first and only group to win ‘The X Factor’ in 2011, Little Mix have not stopped flourishing. Their debut single ‘Wings’ rocketed to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and they went on to make US chart history when their album ‘DNA’ entered the Billboard chart at No. 4, making them the first ever British girl group to feature in the top five with a debut album release. To date, the girls have had 10 top 20 hits and both of their albums reached the top five of the UK Album Chart. Their hit single ‘Black Magic’ was one of the UK’s best-selling songs of Summer 2015, remaining at No. 1 for three weeks. Having performed a sell out UK and Ireland tour and conquered the states with their impeccably tight harmonies and catalogue of catchy hits, Little Mix are destined for global domination. Riding a growing wave of success, the ladies join us tonight fresh from the release of their long awaited third album ‘Get Weird’. “We are so incredibly honoured to be asked to perform at The Royal Variety Performance for the first time. We’re so excited and we can’t wait!!!”
MATT FORDE Matt Forde started performing comedy aged 16 and has now established himself as Britain’s leading political comedian. Since 2011, Matt has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, returning annually to sell-out shows. His latest show ‘Get The Political Party Started’ was so popular that extra dates were added. His energetic satire has won him slots on numerous high profile current affairs shows including ‘Question Time’, ‘Have I Got News For You’, and ‘Rory Bremner’s Coalition Report’. Matt hosts ‘The Political Party’, a monthly residency at the St James Theatre, which is also released as an award-nominated podcast. The show combines his trademark topical comedy with in-depth interviews of leading political figures. Guests have included Nigel Farage, Alastair Campbell and Dame Tessa Jowell. Aside from performing stand-up, self-confessed football fanatic Matt is a regular voice on radio, hosting a weekly sports show on Sony-award winning ‘talkSPORT’. We are excited to be welcoming Matt tonight as he makes his debut on The Royal Variety Performance. “It’s an honour to be a part of The Royal Variety Performance and to perform at The Royal Albert Hall for the third time. (The first two were in the side room, but don’t tell anyone).” ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 55
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KYLIE MINOGUE A real testament to her legendary status, tonight marks Kylie’s 6th appearance on The Royal Variety Performance. In 1987 Kylie released her first single ‘Locomotion’. It went to No. 1 in Australia and hit the top five throughout the world. She has since released 12 albums, multiple live recordings, TV and DVD packages and 56 hit singles. Back in 2012, Kylie celebrated a quarter of a century in pop with K25, a 12 month long series of events, releases and retrospectives that included two albums, a tour and a surprise single release. That same year, the Grammy-winning, OBE awarded artist graced the stage at The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Kylie’s most recent album ‘Kiss Me Once’ peaked at No. 2 in the UK charts and was followed by an ambitious worldwide concert tour. This year, Kylie went on to dazzle audiences in Hyde Park and she returns tonight with a sneak preview from her upcoming Christmas Album ‘Kylie Christmas’. “It’s a huge honour to appear on The Royal Variety Performance and to have been invited back six times over my career is truly overwhelming. I always enjoy the uniquely special atmosphere of this show and tonight will be no exception.”
JEFF LYNNE’S ELO Jeff Lynne’s ELO have released numerous gold and platinum albums during their highly successful career, firmly establishing themselves as one of the most important bands in rock and roll history. Their iconic style, blending rock and pop with classical overtones is instantly recognisable and their chart topping records have become legendary and influential generations over. Fronted by consummate songwriter and producer Jeff Lynne, they have had more than twenty Top 40 hits across the US and UK and sold over 50 million records worldwide. Lynne has produced and collaborated with some of the biggest names in music including The Beatles, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and most recently, Bryan Adams. In September 2014, Jeff Lynne’s ELO triumphantly performed for the first time in 30 years, in front of 50,000 fans who, The Telegraph noted in a glowing review, “were practically levitating with joy.” We’re privileged to welcome Jeff Lynne’s ELO to the stage tonight performing their irresistible new single, ‘When I Was A Boy’ from the much anticipated release of their album, ‘Alone in the Universe’ this month. “I always wondered what it must be like to play on The Royal Variety Performance, I’m really excited and thrilled to be asked.” PAGE 56 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
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FURTHER FUNDRAISING In addition to the annual Royal Variety Performance, the Management Body of the charity organise numerous events throughout the year to support Brinswoth House and the charity’s many beneficiaries throughout the UK. Here are 4 examples of fundraising during 2015.
FUNDRAISING LUNCH The Royal Variety Charity held its second fundraising lunch at the Royal Garden Hotel on 9th June 2015 raising almost £20,000 for the Royal Variety Charity. Chairman, Giles Cooper commented “It was such a fantastic event not only for being such an enjoyable afternoon, but for raising so much money for our residential and nursing care home for entertainers, Brinsworth House.” The Royal Variety Charity would like to formally thank: Alan Dedicoat, Andy Newbold, Charlotte Jaconelli, Clive Dunstall, Emmie Beckitt, Jamie Docherty, Mike Ramsden, Miki Travis, Natalie Lowe, Robert Powell, Rod Woodward, Sebastian Walton, Stavros Flatley, Stringfever & The Tiller Girls.
SUNDAY AT THE MUSICALS Sunday 14th June 2015 saw a great night of entertainment at the Hippodrome Theatre in London’s Leicester Square, raising over £1,600. The Royal Variety Charity would like to formally thank: Paul Burton, Hilary O’Neil, Helena Blackman, Suanne Braun, Anita Louise Combe, Lizzie Deane, Wendy Ferguson, Emilie Fleming, Lori Haley Fox, Alice Fredenham, Lisa Gorgin, Kelly-Anne Gower, Sarah Ingram, Charlotte Jaconelli, Lucy Kay, Joanna Kirkland, Joanna Lee, Shona Lindsay, Jessica Martin, Poppy Tierney, Rebecca Wheatley, Sarah-Louise Young.
BEN NEVIS SPONSORED CLIMB BY CHAIRMAN GILES COOPER & FAMILY Chairman Giles Cooper reached the summit of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in the UK) on Saturday 18 July 2015 with his wife Jacqui and two children Rory (aged 12) and Heather (aged 10) and raised over £10,000 for the Royal Variety Charity. Giles Cooper commented “it was brutal conditions - relentless rain, wind, hail, snow and wind, but we did it! Thanks so much to everyone who sponsored us” PAGE 58 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
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SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM WITH DES O’CONNOR & JIMMY TARBUCK
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unday Night at the London Palladium with DES O’CONNOR and JIMMY TARBUCK, was staged on Sunday 4th October 2015 to celebrate the launch of the Royal Variety Charity. Chairman Giles Cooper commented, “Sunday Night at the London Palladium was an absolutely resounding success; two legends of show business came together, donating their services, to celebrate changing the name of our charity from the EABF to the Royal Variety Charity and helped us raise a phenomenal sum of money. I’d like to thank my co-producers, LifePresident Laurie Mansfield & theatrical agent Chris Davis, our Director Kevin Bishop and most importantly of all, Des and Jimmy for creating such a fantastic night of entertainment. As the Guardian newspaper put it, ‘a night of theatrical history to be remembered for many years to come!’”
(Above): Chairman Giles Cooper and LifePresident Laurie Mansfield present Des O’Connor CBE & Jimmy Tarbuck OBE with brass plaques commemorating their performance.
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BRINSWORTH HOUSE CARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
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ear Brinsworth House Supporter . I am still very much enjoying working as the Matron of Brinsworth House, and would like to begin by saying what a wonderful experience I am having with our beloved residents and staff. The work I do with my team of people here, in the day-to-day running of Brinsworth is only achievable because of the support we get from, the Executive Committee members, the Trustees, the relatives of the residents, volunteers and supporters, like yourself.
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Therefore I would like to begin by thanking all the above mentioned people for their dedicated time, effort and sacrifice that enables Brinsworth House to operate not only smoothly and efficiently but most importantly to continue delivering a high standard of care with compassion and love. One of the most important changes for 2015, is the change of our organisation name from the Entertainment Artists Benevolent Funds (EABF) to The Royal Variety Charity PAGE 60 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
Matron Tatree Preece
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(RVC). This change was celebrated at Brinsworth House after the Annual General Meeting and again the following day with the Summer Party we normally we have for our Queen’s birthday. We would also like to say a special thank you to The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall for the wonderful entertainment they provided to mark this very special day. Part of my role as Matron, is to ensure that the money you kindly donated through tickets sales and subscriptions are used in the best interest for those residents who need it the most and to meet the Home running and maintenance costs. Some of our other residents are able to fully or part fund themselves and this income is used to pay the staff and support them with training. This year has flown by since the last Royal Variety Performance with so many happenings in the world of Brinsworth House. December 2014 saw a wonderful Christmas Party and on Christmas Day we distributed presents to all the residents. January we employed a Clinical Lead to support the nurses and a Personal Assistant to support the Home with its administrative functions. In May, the very old call bell system was replaced by a modern system that shortens the response time, enabling the carers to work more effectively, which in turn minimizes any anxiety the resident may experience. In July we introduced a software package to store all our notes electronically. I am delighted to advise you that in September we achieved full occupancy at Brinsworth House and now operate a waiting list for admission. Our Activity Co-ordinator has been very busy with various daily activities, including taking at least 20 residents on our Annual Boat Trip on the River Thames, visiting the theatre to see the ‘Just Jim Dale Show’, ‘Gordon Peters Comic Night’, ‘Sunday night at the London Palladium with Des O’Connor with Jimmy Tarbuck’ and many more. They all had a very enjoyable time.
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BRINSWORTH HOUSE CARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY Brinsworth House has opened it’s doors to work experience students from our local schools and student nurses from our local university, most of them have requested to return to us for more work experience or paid employment. The work experience students are continuing with our project of “Then and Now” under the supervision of our Activities Co-ordinator. The students and residents spent time talking to each other about the differences between life now and life many years ago. This is a wonderful interactive experience for our residents who loved reminiscing about times The staff at Brinsworth House encourage and gone by and also thoroughly enjoyed learning support the residents to have a meaningful from the students about what it is like growing and fulfilling life within their mental and up in today’s society. physical capacity. Our residents understand that they are able to leave the Home as they This year we have said goodbye to some staff please to visit family and friends, to dine out, who have decided to advance or change their to go shopping, to do some gardening or careers. Consequently we have some new to go for walks etc... with close friends and employees, all whom have mentioned that family. In cases where assistance is needed, a Brinsworth House is very unique and quite member of staff will happily accompany them different from your average Care Home. I explained that this is because the entire House with their outdoor pursuits. is managed as much as possible as a person’s Alongside the wonderful work our Activities own home with the ongoing supporting clinical Co-ordinator is doing, we still have our regular care being delivered in the background. entertainment slot organised by dedicated Executive Committee member, Joy Francois. For new residents we acknowledge, that Being a former variety performer herself, Joy coming into a residential home can be quite a knows exactly what our residents want to see worrying time for themselves, their family and and continuously pulls in first class acts to close friends. It is a huge decision that needs come and entertain us every two weeks and much careful consideration. If we are able to help you by answering any questions you for our Summer and Christmas Parties. may have on our admissions policy, funding In addition to the regular daily activities, opportunities or room availability then please
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THE
R O YA L VA R I ET Y C H A R I T Y F O R M E R L Y
T H E
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
A R T I S T E S'
B E N E V O L E N T
F U N D
do contact me on 020 8898 8164 or email, tatree@royalvarietycharity.org. We usually follow up enquiries with a request for a brief biography, administrative information and an invitation to you to visit Brinsworth House. This will enable you to gain a better understanding of what we are able to offer and to answer any other questions which may arise. We do operate a waiting list for those of you who are planning for their future or who wish to come here in the event of an unforeseen emergency, so please feel free to get in touch. All our care is delivered to the highest standard, with highly experienced staff and other Healthcare specialists who we bring in from the community as needed. We believe that each resident has the right to live life according to their choices and desires and we aim to support them any way possible to help them achieve this. We feel privileged to be in a position to be able to provide this level of care and support which is only made possible because of loyal supporters such as yourselves. The money raised from this wonderful annual event is so valuable to us at Brinsworth and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support in purchasing a ticket for tonight’s show. Matron Tatree Preece RGN, ONC, BA(Hons), MA
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BRINSWORTH HOUSE CARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
T
he idea of a ‘home for retired entertainers’ was first suggested by Joe Elvin (the King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats) in 1908. The idea was received with great enthusiasm and a considerable sum of money was immediately pledged from across the entertainment industry. Various fundraising events were organised in conjunction with The Music Hall Artistes’ Railway Association and later that year, the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund (the original name of the EABF) was formed for the benefit of artistes across the Music Hall and variety profession. The particulars of a dilapidated mansion near Twickenham were discovered and in August 1911, Brinsworth House was purchased for £2,400. Extensive renovations and alterations were needed, in addition to furnishing the Home and a special ‘Sixpenny Donation Fund’ was organised by ‘The Performer’ newspaper. The work was completed by November and a grand opening reception was held at Brinsworth House attended by many of the day’s leading artistes and journalists. At the reception, Joe Elvin and William McCarthy put forward an idea to establish a Society, to be known as ‘The Noble Six Hundred’ consisting of artistes and friends of the profession, each of whom would make a donation of £2.10.0 (£2.50) to raise the £1,400 required to pay off the mortgage. By the following April (1912), the entire amount had been raised and the mansion and 5 acres of land became the freehold property of the Music Hall profession. A board was erected and placed in the hall of the Home with the names of ‘The Noble Six Hundred’, where it still stands today. By the end of November 1912, there were 10 occupants in residency, including one married couple. In Brinsworth House, the entertainment profession has established a real ‘home for its own’ and with the constant and unwavering support of the Royal Family, the home exists today as a place of safety, peace, happiness and tranquillity for those entertainers who have hit hard times during their twilight years. Quite rightly named ‘The Old Pro’s Paradise’, Brinsworth House now accommodates 36 residents, who are cared for by a dedicated team of nurses and carers.
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THE
R O YA L VA R I ET Y C H A R I T Y F O R M E R L Y
THE FACILTIES OF BRINSWORTH HOUSE ACCESSIBILITY Brinsworth House is CSIS compliant, with ramp access to the house, an elevator, bath hoist facilities, and walk-in shower rooms. LAUNDRY FACILITIES A modern and daily in-house laundry collection facility allows residents to submit their clothing items for return the following day. DINING A fully-staffed kitchen and dining room provides delicious and healthy meals three times each day. Our resident chef caters for a wide variety of special dietary requirements, depending on the needs of each individual resident. THE BAR The lounge bar is fully stocked with requested lines, and is open at both lunchtime and during each evening. THE SALON The dedicated hair salon is operated by a professional hair dresser, and is open twice weekly. HEALTH AND FITNESS Each week, residents are invited to take part in an exercise programme that helps develop and maintain physical agility through musical movement. LIBRARY Brinsworth House is serviced by a publishing house that generously replenishes and updates our broad library every three to six months. ENTERTAINMENT Brinsworth House is proud of its in-house entertainment, hosting regular performances for the residents. Other regular entertainment includes weekly bingo, day trips and various annual functions such as Christmas parties, Valentine’s parties, Easter functions, visiting farms and in-house clothes shows.
T H E
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Over the years, Brinsworth House has cared for hundreds of residents. To name but a few… Hylda Baker, Charlie Drake, Alan ‘Fluff’ Freeman CBE, Dame Thora Hird DBE, Richard O’Sullivan, Ben Warris and Norman Wisdom. In 1912, Alfred Butt, Chairman of the VABF, proposed that an extension be built to Brinsworth House to accommodate the rising demand for the Home and he and Oswald Stoll persuaded King George V and Queen Mary to attend a ‘Royal Command Performance’ in aid of Brinsworth House. King George V and Queen Mary were so impressed by Brinsworth House and the work of the Fund that they became its Patrons from 1921. The Fund has enjoyed Royal Patronage from the reigning monarch ever since and the annual fundraising Royal Variety performance is, this year, celebrating its 103rd anniversary In 1974, the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund (VABF) changed its name to the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund (EABF), and then again in 2015 to the Royal Variety Charity to widen its criteria of support and breadth of help to the entire entertainment industry. Over the years, and with the continued help and financial support of the entertainment industry, two new wings have been added to Brinsworth House and on both occasions the care home was honoured by the presence of one of its most ardent supporters, the late HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who performed the opening ceremonies. More recently, a new Conservatory was built, which was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales; also a very keen supporter of the Royal Variety Charity.
ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY ONLINE >> For more information on Brinsworth House & the work of the Royal Variety Charity, please visit www.royalvarietycharity.org ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 65
JOY FRANCOIS T
his page is dedicated to our long-serving Executive Committee Member, Joy Francois.
Chairman Giles Cooper commented “Joy’s work in booking and managing the entertainment events at Brinsworth House has been absolutely fantastic and so appreciated by our many residents and staff alike. Similarly her commitment, loyalty and dedication to our Executive Committee meetings has been unwavering over so many years. On behalf of the Royal Variety Charity, I would like to extend our deepest thanks to Joy with our love and best wishes.” Joy Francois has spent a lifetime in showbusiness. In 1948, as Joy Zandra, she met comedian and dancer Manny Francois and began to work together as comedy adagio doubleact Francois and Zandra. They married in 1958. Signed to the Delfont Organisation, Joy and Manny enjoyed a glittering stage career, working countrywide for more than 30 years, supporting some of entertainment’s brightest stars, including Liberace, Des O’Connor CBE, Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE and Norman Wisdom OBE. Sir Bruce names Joy and Manny as being instrumental in his success – they introduced him to their agent, the legendary Billy Marsh, and the rest is history. Joy became a member of the Royal Variety Charity’s executive committee in 1971 and has worked tirelessly since as fundraiser, events planner and entertainment organiser. “The Royal Variety Charity is my charity”, she says. “It’s been my life since I gave up touring”. Joy is a much-loved, energetic and resolute supporter of the entertainment industry’s own charity. We are proud and privileged to have her on board.
BRINSWORTH HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT >> If you would like to perform at Brinsworth House for the benefit of our many residents, please contact Joy, through our admin team: enquiries@royalvarietycharity.org PAGE 66 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
PEARL AND TEDDY T
he term “showbiz legends” is much over-used but I’ve been lucky enough to know two such people for the last 38 years ... Teddy Johnson and Pearl Carr. Now 96 and 94 respectively, they are still with us and thriving at the Royal Variety Charity’s Brinsworth House. Best known for taking the UK to second place in the 1959 “Eurovision Song Contest” with “Sing Little Birdie”, they were two extremely successful solo acts before joining forces as a duo and marrying in 1955. Always Morecambe and Wise’s support act of choice, they were regulars on TV and stage and had many hit records. In June this year, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a splendid party thrown for them at Brinsworth. The lovely Anita Harris and I performed the cabaret and it was very moving to see Anita sing one of her big hits, “The Anniversary Waltz”, for the happy couple. They were also delighted to receive a card of congratulations from the Queen, marking their big day. I first met Teddy and Pearl in 1977 when we were in a summer season together at the Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth - “Fancy Free” with the late John Inman. On the first day of rehearsals I sensed that they were two very special people and I was proved right, with a friendship that now spans nearly 40 years. Since the passing of my parents, I’d say that they have become like surrogate parents to me. All the things I used to talk to my Mum and Dad about I now share with Teddy and Pearl on my frequent visits to Twickenham. No one can ever say that Teddy and Pearl outstayed their welcome in showbusiness. In 1989, after an 18 month run in Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” at the Shaftesbury Theatre, they decided to “go out on a high” and retire. For many years, they enjoyed a quieter life at their home in Barnes and, five years ago, made the decision to go into Brinsworth where they are looked after in the most caring and loving fashion. Each week, Teddy’s nephew Chris, his partner Alan and I go to visit them - I will only miss a week if I’m working - and they remain buoyant and full of fun. We are all hoping that, in the future, this wonderful couple will be receiving more cards from the Queen - on the occasion of their 100th birthdays! Bobby Crush
BRINSWORTH HOUSE ONLINE >> For more information on Brinsworth House & the work of the Royal Variety Charity, please visit www.royalvarietycharity.org ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 67
WORK OF THE RVC
BY HON. CHAPLAIN, THE REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE
T
he late, great Dame Thora Hird, DBE, introduced me to the wonderful work of the Royal Variety Charity, the charity you are supporting by attending this Royal Variety Performance. For many years, I had been one of Thora’s regular visitors to her delightful mews home in London. She was the most wonderful story teller and I delighted in hearing about her years in show business and life as a child in Morecombe. The death of her beloved Scottie, her husband, manager, confidante, linetester and very best friend, was a blow from which Thora never really recovered. Her daughter Janette was wonderful and she adored her two grandchildren but no one replaced Scottie. As the years went by, her health began to fail and there were fewer dates in the diary, something that really depressed her. She had live-in carers but towards the end even they couldn’t give Thora the care she both needed and deserved. So Thora moved to Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity’s 36 bedded care home in Twickenham. For Thora the move wasn’t easy. It never is leaving your own home, but the care she received couldn’t have been better. On my first visit, Thora was sitting in one of Brinsworth’s very comfortable, relaxed lounges. A member of staff came and asked her if she would like tea for her guest. A tray of tea and biscuits was brought, put before Thora and she poured. This is the level of respect Brinsworth shows to all the residents. Under the wonderful leadership of Matron Tatree Preece, a devoted staff of nurses, carers, cooks, cleaners, handymen, gardeners, and administrators make sure the quality of care is second to none, something that is recognised by the local authority on its regular but unannounced inspections. And the care is total care. There are outings; the recent visits to HRH The Prince of Wales’ Cotswold home ‘Highgrove’ are a real treat, as are boat trips on the Thames. Live entertainment means a lot to many of the residents who have spent their lives in show business. And there’s a Bar - you can’t ask for more! I so enjoy my regular visits, which have enabled me to share some very special moments with both residents and staff. But the Royal Variety Charity doesn’t just care for those who are in Brinsworth House. Each month, a committee meets to allocate grants to those in need. All this work is very expensive and this is why your support and that of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ is crucial. Mega salaries are reserved for the top stars. There are many people in show business whose salaries are not often that much above the minimum wage. The work isn’t regular and as regards pensions, well forget them! When I was playing Widow Twankey at Wimbledon, I had to remember that when the panto season ended I would be all right - I had other work to do. Many of the cast, especially the hard-working chorus, had no idea where their next job would come from. So it only takes illness, an accident or some other unfortunate, unplanned happening for the life of a performer, or one of his or her dependants, to be thrown into chaos, especially financially. Rent and fuel bills have to be paid, house repairs have to be carried out and food needs to be put on the table. Sometimes there isn’t even the money to pay for a funeral. This is where, because of your generosity, the Royal Variety Charity can and does help. We can assure you, your support is not taken for granted, nor is it wasted, so thank you!” THE REVEREND CANON ROGER ROYLE PAGE 68 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
W
hen my mother, Dame Thora Hird, DBE, moved into Brinsworth House for, what turned out to be, the last few months of her life, many people were surprised. Here she was with 5 BAFTAs and an American Emmy Award for heavy and dramatic roles, numerous “straight” plays in London’s West End and a career count of over 500 plays in theatres up and down the land. Although her television career had included half a dozen comedy series, she was best known for her Alan Bennett “Talking Heads” plays and her 20 years of the BBC Sunday programme, ‘Songs of Praise’. But if you scratched the surface a little you would soon discover strong links and friendships with Variety. Her father, James Hird, started his career as a strolling Minstrel on the sands in Morecambe, Lancs, and her mother, Marie Mayor, met him while appearing in a summer show on the Central Pier. In the 1950s, Thora herself did many “Summer Seasons” in broad comedy plays at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool, Scarborough, Torquay, Southsea, Bournemouth etc. and during each of these summers, struck up friendships that she kept going through the years. So it was no surprise to me that in her nineties, when she needed a little help and tender loving care, that she asked to visit Brinsworth House. Sure enough, as we walked in, she met old and dear friends and started trading stories and memories, from Blackpool Circus and the Black and White Minstrel Show, to a pianist who had accompanied her as she entertained troops during World War II. She moved in for “a rest” shortly afterwards and although she still made a couple of appearances in “Last of the Summer Wine” (a TV series that she had been in for over 16 years) it became very difficult for her to continue working. It was at this point that the wisdom and understanding of the staff became so very important. With total love and patience they cared for her, showing kindness and thoughtfulness beyond anything I have ever encountered. They helped her and they helped me and I will never forget them all.”
My heartfelt thanks to you Brinsworth House, you are truly amazing in the job you do. Bravo! JANETTE SCOTT - daughter of Dame Thora Hird, DBE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY ONLINE >> For more information on Brinsworth House & the work of the Royal Variety Charity, please visit www.royalvarietycharity.org ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 69
GILES COOPER & MARTIN WITTS PRESENT
LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE ARE PLEASED TO SUPPORT THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY WITH THIS SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
SLIGHTLY FAT FEATURES IN
VARIETY
SOUP SUNDAY 21 FEB 2016 4:00 PM FAMILY MATINEE INCL. VERY VERY SPECIAL GUESTS!
“INSPIRED SILLINESS” The Times
“I CAN’T RECALL A LIVE SHOW WHERE I’VE LAUGHED SO MUCH” York Press “BUCKETS OF FUN. WHETHER YOU ARE OLD OR YOUNG, I DARE YOU NOT TO BE CHARMED BY THIS ZANY GROUP” Broadwaybaby “LAUGH OUT LOUD ENTERTAINMENT” Evening Standard
L E I C E S T E R S Q U A R E T H E AT R E - H O M E O F T H E S TA R S !
“A N U N Q U E S T I O N A B LY G R O OV Y P L AC E T O B E ” S u n d a y T i m e s
6 LEICESTER PLACE, LONDON WC2H 7BX
PAGE 70 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
BOOKING LINE 020 7734 2222 leicestersquaretheatre.com
Presented annually in aid of the Royal Variety Charity
2 0 1 5
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
ACT
TWO Staged in the presence of
His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales KCVO Executive Producers, Royal Variety Charity Laurie Mansfield, Giles Cooper & Phil Dale Creative Director, ITV Studios Lee Connolly Executive Producer, ITV Studios Fiona Clark Director, ITV Studios Julia Knowles
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 71
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
2015
ACT TWO
ACT TWO AT A GLANCE
YOUR HOST: JACK
WHITEHALL
MARY POPPINS ROMESH RANGANATHAN
PAGE 72 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
JULES, MATISSE AND FRIENDS BRANDON FLOWERS THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG THE CORRS BEVERLEY KNIGHT, MBE ELTON JOHN, CBE FINALE
ACT TWO
MARY POPPINS
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s multi award-winning musical production of Mary Poppins has triumphantly and spectacularly brought to the stage the magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane. With dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs, the stage version of Mary Poppins is brilliantly adapted from the wonderful stories by PL Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film. The stage production of Mary Poppins is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh and has a book by Oscar-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes. It has a timeless score by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman with new songs and additional music and lyrics by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. After flying around the world from Broadway to Sydney and playing to over eleven million people, Mary Poppins is back and currently touring the U.K. and Ireland where it has been received with great acclaim. To celebrate the continuing international success of the production we are joined tonight by the ‘Practically Perfect’ star of Mary Poppins, Zizi Strallen and, stepping in time from Austria, David Boyd who is Vienna’s current ‘Bert’ together with the two young stars of the U.K. touring production.
ROMESH RANGANATHAN The last few years have been incredible for Ranganathan with his two critically acclaimed Edinburgh Festival shows, ‘Rom Wasn’t Built In A Day’ and ‘Rom Com’ being nominated for the coveted Edinburgh Festival Awards for Best Show 2014 and Best Newcomer in 2013. Romesh has come a long way since quitting his career as a maths teacher making a real name for himself most recently with his six-part BBC series ‘Asian Provocateur’ where we saw his mum send him off to Sri Lanka in search of his roots. A regular feature on our TV screens, Romesh is known for appearing on BBC1’s ‘Live At The Apollo’, ‘Have I Got News For You’, BBC2’s ‘Mock The Week’, ‘The Apprentice: You’re Fired’, ITV1’s ‘The Jonathan Ross Show’, Channel 4’s ‘Alan Carr Chatty Man’ and Dave’s ‘Taskmaster’. Romesh is currently preparing to embark on his 64-date tour ‘Irrational’ which launches in February. “I’ve long suspected that I originate from Sri-Lankan Royalty, so being able to perform at The Royal Variety Performance feels like destiny. It is a huge honour, and I can’t quite believe I’ve been asked. I’m hoping that my booking isn’t the result of an admin error. I’m delighted to be involved either way.” ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 73
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
2015
JULES, MATISSE AND FRIENDS Jules, Matisse and Friends stole the nation’s hearts when they won this year’s series of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ earning esteemed praise from all four judges. Jules has always been passionate about dogs, beginning her career at the RSPCA and proceeding to work with Guide Dogs for the Blind for almost 20 years. She has trained and handled animals for film and television and trained her own dogs to perform Canine Freestyle, a dance that demonstrates their talent and enjoyment of performing. Her hero, Matisse and his best friend Chase, have been very successful, becoming champions in the sport, competing in the UK and across Europe. In 2013 Matisse achieved the ultimate accolade by winning the International Freestyle Championships at Crufts Dog Show. Jules’s ambition is to make a film or children’s series with her pets and she performs tonight with some of them, including Border Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and German Shepherds. Tailoring heart warming stories and intricate choreography, Jules, Matisse and Friends are here to melt our hearts once more. “To be invited to perform at The Royal Variety Performance for His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales is the greatest honour imaginable.”
BRANDON FLOWERS As front man of The Killers, Brandon Flowers was catapulted into the international spotlight in the early 2000s as the band quickly established themselves at the forefront of pop music. Mixing ‘80s-styled synth pop and American charm, the band’s debut album, ‘Hot Fuss’, became one of the decade’s biggest releases, spawning four hit singles and selling over five million copies. In Summer 2013 Flowers and The Killers celebrated 10 years and four chart topping albums together with a triumphant sold out show at Wembley Stadium. Flowers has also embarked on a highly successful solo career between Killers records, with each of his two albums topping the UK Album Chart. His latest album, ‘The Desired Effect’, garnered rapturous applause, shooting straight to No. 1 on release in May this year. Multi Brit Awardwinning, and winner of Q Magazine’s Idol Award in 2012, Brandon Flowers is arguably one of the biggest modern-day rock’n’roll stars. Brandon has announced that his gig in London on November 16th will be the last chance for UK fans to see him live until he next returns with The Killers. With that in mind, we’re fortunate to be welcoming him at The Royal Albert Hall tonight. PAGE 74 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
ACT TWO
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
Olivier Award Winning Best New Comedy, ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, took theatres by storm when it landed in the West End last year and has continued to hurl its gleeful audiences into hysterics since. Adopting and revitalising the classic ‘play within a play’ format, this highly physical and silly comedy features cast and crew of the ‘Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’ attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery – and everything that can go wrong, does. The show was written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, members of Mischief Theatre which was established in 2008 by a group of LAMDA graduates. The play won Best New Comedy at the Whatsonstage.com awards in 2014 and has since evolved into a bigger and longer show, awash with lost props, fluffed lines, bungled entrances and collapsing scenery. ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ delivers its chaotic antics to The Royal Variety Performance fresh from their phenomenal, repeatedly extended West End run, with a Broadway transfer soon to be announced. The accident prone, award winning company have said: “We are shocked to have been asked to take part in tonight’s Royal Variety Performance and hope to high heaven not to ruin anyone’s evening.”
THE CORRS 20 years on, and 40 million album sales later, The Corrs are an iconic Brit Award-winning Irish band. The four siblings rose to prominence with their debut, multi platinum album, ‘Forgiven Not Forgotten’, in 1995. The success of ‘Talk on Corners’ in 1997 saw The Corrs becoming the first act since The Beatles to have albums at No. 1 and No. 2 on the UK charts simultaneously. The album became the largest UK seller of 1998 and the band were rewarded with Honorary MBEs. 2000 saw their UK No.1 single ‘Breathless’, and its album ‘In Blue’, which went straight to No. 1 in six countries and platinum in the US. One of the most successful albums to have come from Ireland, their ‘Best Of compilation’ in 2001 turned multi-platinum worldwide in the first six months. The band took a break in 2005, confirming their comeback this year, playing Hyde Park in September to 60,000 people. Building on a jaw-dropping legacy, their new album ‘White Light’ – due in November – takes the Corrs’ story a giant step further. “We are so looking forward to performing at The Royal Variety and it will be such an honour to play for Prince Harry.” ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 75
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
2015
BEVERLEY KNIGHT, MBE Queen of British Soul, this singer, songwriter and record producer was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her services to music and charity and recently made a flawless transition to the West End. Knight starred as Rachel Marron in ‘The Bodyguard’ in 2013, before winning the lead in ‘Memphis’, which garnered the most nominations of any one production at the Olivier awards this year, including Best Actress in a Musical for Knight. In October, Beverley joined Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical ‘Cats’. Based on T S Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, the production has been performed in over 26 countries, translated into 10 languages and seen by over 50 million people worldwide. Following an incredibly successful 2014 revival, Knight leads a ten-week run as Grizabella at the London Palladium, from which we are privileged to welcome her tonight. “It is a great honour to be asked to participate in The Royal Variety Performance and to be performing the iconic ‘Memory’ from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’. As with the rest of the nation I grew up watching the Great and the Good shine on that stage. I cannot believe I am about to join such a prestigious list.”
ELTON JOHN, CBE Elton John, CBE, is one of the world’s most highly acclaimed and successful solo artists. With over 250 million record sales worldwide, Elton has achieved 37 gold and 27 multi-platinum albums, holds the record for the biggest selling single of all time (‘Candle In The Wind 1997’) and has played more than 3,500 concerts in over 80 countries. Elton has received multiple awards including Grammys and Brits and composed the Tony Award winning production ‘Billy Elliot The Musical’ plus the iconic film and theatrical musical ‘The Lion King’, with lyricist Sir Tim Rice. In 1994 Elton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 1998, received a knighthood for services to music and charity. We are thrilled to welcome Elton John back tonight for his fourth Royal Variety Performance, performing a special preview from his new studio album ‘Wonderful Crazy Night’, due for release early next year. “It’s always a honour to be on the bill for this prestigious night of entertainment. I’m particularly excited this year, as it will give me the opportunity to play new material for the public for the very first time.” PAGE 76 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
ACT TWO FINALE & ROYAL LINE-UP
The Finale will include all the acts from the evening’s show and will be followed by the post show Royal Line-Up. His Royal Highness Prince Harry will be presented on stage to all of the artistes who have performed in this evening’s Royal Variety Performance, forming an integral part of the television filming. The audience must please remain seated as each act is thanked in turn for their participation. There will obviously be a short delay whilst the Royal party is led from the Royal Box to the stage. The acts will be introduced to His Royal Highness Prince Harry by: Fiona Clark ITV Studios Laurie Mansfield Life-President Giles Cooper Chairman
After all the acts have been introduced to the Royal Party on stage, the audience must please remain seated until His Royal Highness Prince Harry has left the building and security clearance received for audience departure; which will be advised over the public address system. Thank you for your support tonight and we very much hope that you enjoyed the evening.
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 77
The Official
AFTERSHOW PARTY CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION
THANK YOU
& BANQUET of
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE®
FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2015, HILTON, PARK LANE, LONDON 10PM-2AM LAURIE MANSFIELD & GILES COOPER WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD IN PRODUCING THIS EVENING’S OFFICIAL ROYAL VARIETY AFTERSHOW PARTY & BANQUET ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY LORRAINE KEEBLE, VICTORIA BOND, CATHRYN TOMLINSON MAGICIANS PAUL MARTIN, LEE HATHAWAY, MARTYN ROWLAND, MIKE SULLIVAN, PAUL ROFFMAN, NEIL HENRY, MATT DANIEL BAKER, GARETH KALYAN, NICK READE, SEBASTIAN WALTON, JAMIE DOCHERTY EMMA-JANE TYLER & THE VEGAS SHOWGIRLS, STRINGFEVER GILES BROADBENT, NEAL BROADBENT, GRAHAM BROADBENT, RALPH BROADBENT, JILLIE BUSHELL, VAL JOHNSON AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF ZIGZAG, TOASTMASTER MIKE RAMSDEN PRODUCTION ANDY MILLER BRANDING & DESIGN CONNOR CRAWFORD & CHRISTOPHER WATTS AT SOHO MEDIA GROUP FINANCE NILESH RUPAREL AND SITAL MAKWANA HILTON HOTEL JON KIRKHAM PHOTOGRAPHY ANDY NEWBOULD
ROYAL VARIETY EVENTS TEAM LORRAINE, VICTORIA & CATHRYN
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Left: Events Co-Ordinator Lorraine Keeble Right: Events Assistant Victoria Bond
eporting directly to the Chairman of the Royal Variety Charity (who leads the charity’s fundraising efforts), Lorraine, Victoria & Cathryn organise all of the administration, including the ticketing, of the Royal Variety Performance. They are also responsible for the official Aftershow party and our numerous fundraising events throughout the year, which in 2015 included our fundraising lunch at the Royal Garden Hotel and ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium’.
Chairman Giles Cooper commented “I’d like to particularly thank the hard work and devotion of our events team at the Royal Variety Charity. Lorraine and Victoria, together with my PA, Cathryn, are amongst the most efficient and hard working people I have ever worked with. The Royal Variety Performance itself is a huge task. There really is no other show on earth that involves liaising with such a cross-section of society and such a diversity of people and professions and it really is a small miracle how after an entire years work, it all comes together on the night. They are an absolute pleasure to work with and their efficiency and dedication are an example to all.” PAGE 78 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
Above: PA to Royal Variety Chairman, Cathryn Tomlinson
GRANTS SUB-COMMITTEE
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ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY From left to right : Peter Tod Gordon Peters Lady Westbury CBE Pat Church & John Logan
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he Grants Committee is a sub-committee of the Royal Variety Charity’s main Executive Committee and consists of Gordon Peters, The Dowager Lady Westbury CBE. JP, Pat Church and new member, John Logan. It meets to review applications for assitance and help from those who have worked in the entertainment industry from across the UK. They thoroughly research each applicant’s professional background, review their needs and then compile summarised documentation, with recommendations, which is then presented to the full Executive Committee for review and ratification. Chairman of the Royal Variety Charity, Giles Cooper, commented “I would like to pay particular tribute to the work of our Grants Sub-Committee. Gordon, Ursula, Pat and John work tirelessly ‘week-in-week-out’ reviewing the cases of our many grant applicants. The quality and depth of their research & recommendations to our main Executive Committee is exemplarary and carried out with so much thought, care and sensitivity. I would also like to pay extra special tribute to Peter Tod who retired as Chair of the GSC earlier this year, as many of the processes & templates followed by the sub-committee were of his making and initiative. Many thanks are also due to my PA, Cathryn, and others in our admin team who assist in providing them with such thorough reporting. On behalf of the charity’s entire Management Body, thank you so much for all of your hard work.”
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY’S CHARITY
Patron: HM The Queen Hon. Life President: Laurie Mansfield Chairman: Giles Cooper Vice Chairman: Phil Dale Established 1908 · Registered Charity No. 206451
The Royal Variety Charity helps out ‘behind the scenes’ to bring essential comfort and support to those who have dedicated their lives to the entertainment of others. WE ARE HERE TO HELP >> The public face of the Royal Variety Charity is Brinsworth House, a dual registered residential and nursing home in Twickenham. This beautiful Grade II listed building is a safe and secure home for elderly residents; our team of professional nursing staff and qualified healthcare assistants provide care and attention 24 hours a day to meet the residents’ needs. In addition, the Royal Variety Charity operates a nationwide Grant system for those who have fallen on hard times through illness, accident or misfortune; wherever they are based in the UK.
DONATE >> In these very difficult economic times, your donations and legacies are even more vital to us to ensure the continuation of our much valued work. Please give whatever you can, by visiting our website www.royalvarietycharity.org
CONTACT THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY >> Royal Variety Charity, Brinsworth House, 72 Staines Road, Twickenham TW2 5AL For all enquiries, donations or residential matters contact us: T 020 8898 8164 F 020 8894 0093 E enquiries@royalvarietycharity.org W www.royalvarietycharity.org
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Celebrating over 100 years of care for members of the entertainment profession
THE ROYAL VARIETY® PERFORMANCE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 79
BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT JULES O’DWYER & MATISSE
WINNERS 2015 Jules O’Dwyer, aged 48, and her dogs Matisse, Chase and Skippy won the 9th series of Britains Got Talent on 31st May 2015 and secured their spot on this evening’s Royal Variety Performance.
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he hugely successful, annual ITV1 television show, Britain’s Got Talent, generously donates a large proportion of the money raised from viewers’ telephone votes to the Royal Variety Charity each year. The Royal Variety Charity, in return, arranges for the series winner of the show to appear at the annual Royal Variety Performance, which is held in the presence of a senior member of the British Royal Family and watched by many millions of TV viewers worldwide. The Royal Variety Charity is enormously proud to be associated with Britain’s Got Talent, and gratefully acknowledges the continued help and support of Simon Cowell and all at Syco Television.
It was a fantastic series final viewed by record numbers of TV viewers who in turn cast a record 4.5 million votes from the British public. The Grand Final finished in the following order: Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse, Jamie Raven, Côr Glanaethwy, Old Men Grooving, Isaac Waddington, Calum Scott, Danny Posthill, Jesse-Jane McParland, The Neales, UDI, Entity Allstars, Boyband Congratulations to all finalists and to all at Syco for producing another amazing series of Britain’s Got Talent!
BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT ONLINE >> For more information on Britain’s Got Talent, please visit the official ITV1 website at: http://talent.itv.com PAGE 80 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
COLLABRO
2014 // Series 8
2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Five-piece vocal group, Collabro, won Britain’s Got Talent 2014 and secured their spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on the 13th November 2014, held in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
H I S TO R Y O F W I N N E R S
ATTRACTION
2013 // Series 7
Hungarian shadow dance troupe, Attraction, were voted the winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2013 and won their slot on the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on the 25th November 2013, held in the presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.
ASHLEIGH & PUDSEY
2012 // Series 6
Ashleigh Butler, aged 17, originally from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire and her performing dog, Pudsey (a 6 year old Border Collie, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested cross) won their spot on the very special 100th anniversary year of the Royal Variety Performance, held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in the presence of HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, on 19th November, 2012.
JAI MCDOWALL
2011 // Series 5
Jai McDowall, aged 24, from Ayrshire in Scotland, performed the Josh Groban hit ‘To Where You Are’, securing him the 2011 crown. He performed at the Royal Variety Performance at The Lowry in Salford, Manchester on 5th December 2011, which was held in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
SPELBOUND
2010 // Series 4
The 13 amazing gymnasts, originally from Spelthorne in Surrey, won their spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on the 9th December 2010, held in the presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.
DIVERSITY
2009 // Series 3
The ten-strong dance troupe famously beat Susan Boyle, putting her into second place, whilst the boys, aged between 12 and 25, from Dagenham, Leytonstone & Basildon in East London/Essex, won their spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the Blackpool Opera House on the 7th December 2009 - held in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
GEORGE SAMPSON
2008 // Series 2
The incredible 14 year old street dancer from Warrington in Cheshire, won his place on the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on 11th December 2008, held in the presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.
PAUL POTTS
2007 // Series 1
The ex-carphone salesman from Port Talbot in South Wales, secured his place on the Royal Variety Performance at the Liverpool Empire Theatre on the 3rd December 2007, held in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
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PETER ELLIOTT R.I.P. REST IN PEACE 1935-2015
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t is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Peter Elliott who passed away on 13 September 2015, aged 80.
Peter had a long and varied career beginning as a dancer, then one half of a double act ‘Edmundson and Elliott’, straight man to Dick Emery, agent, manager, producer, theatre owner and finally joining the EABF in the early 1980’s for over 30 years as executive administrator. He made numerous improvements to the quality of life at Brinsworth House; organising a complete refurbishment, the construction of the Conservatory and the organisation of the work surrounding the building of the nursing wing, before retiring from the Charity in 2010.
PETER ELLIOTT 1935 - 2015 REST IN PEACE
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Peter’s funeral was held on 6th October at Mortlake Crematorium and a memorial service is being planned for next year. He will be sorely missed by all the staff at Brinsworth House.
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ROYAL ALBERT HALL T
he Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Since 1871, the Hall has been held in trust for the nation’s benefit to promote the arts and sciences. The world’s greatest musicians, dancers, sportsmen and statesmen have appeared on its stage. Each year, there are approximately 380 events in the main auditorium, over 1.7 million people enjoy a live performance and millions more experience the Hall’s events through broadcasts and recordings. The Hall’s audiences the iconic enriching, everyone.
vision is to inspire artists and worldwide with the magic of Royal Albert Hall; creating lifeunforgettable experiences for
The diverse range of events includes music, sport, circus, charity events, award ceremonies, the BBC Proms and the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance. In addition, the Hall presents hundreds of great-value shows in other spaces, offers daytime tours of the building, free exhibitions and performances in its public spaces, and inspires creativity in over 100,000 people of all ages through its extensive Education & Outreach programme.
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Recent developments include the introduction of the Secret History Tour which reveals the untold story of the venue, from Allen Ginsberg’s Poetry Incantation to John Lennon’s Bagism, as well as a séance, a funeral and an appearance by three up-and-coming boxers with the surname Kray. Christmas 2015 sees Father Christmas’s first residence at the Hall in a magical Christmas grotto. The Hall’s Education & Outreach programme includes Family Storytelling and Music sessions, Primary Proms, Events Management workshops and Songbook – free, interactive concerts for elderly people in care homes, hospitals, day centres and hospices. This year, with the generous support of the Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation, the Hall joined forces with renowned charity Nordoff Robbins in a new music therapy programme, designed to inspire and transform the lives of children and adults of all ages. If you would like to get involved and support the programme please visit: www.royalalberthall.com/support or email fundraising@royalalberthall.com Registered charity No.254543
ROYAL ALBERT HALL ONLINE >> www.royalalberthall.com facebook.com/royalalberthall twitter.com/royalalberthall @royalalberthall Royal Albert Hall
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THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
2015
ITV PRODUCTION
FIONA CLARK
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
LEE CONNOLLY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Fiona has worked on a range of entertainment shows since she began a career in television straight from school. These shows include ‘Live Aid’, ‘Whistle Test’, ‘Wogan’, ‘The Full Wax’, ‘The Word’, ‘The Big Breakfast’, ‘Children in Need’, ‘Elton John at The Royal Opera House’, the live 24 hour music marathon ‘Music Live’, ‘One Night with Rod Stewart’, ‘Michael Bublé Home For Christmas’, ‘The British Soap Awards’, ‘The Olivier Awards’, ‘The One and Only Cilla Black’, ‘Gary Barlow Journey to Afghanistan’, ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’ and the upcoming ‘Sound of Music Live’. Fiona is thrilled to be working on her sixth Royal Variety Performance.
Lee started his television career in the comedy department at London Weekend Television before moving on to work across many of LWT’s big entertainment shows including ‘Blind Date’, ‘Surprise Surprise’, ‘Barrymore’ and ‘Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’. Lee went on to produce and executive produce many entertainment, comedy and music programmes and recently oversaw the return of ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’. Lee has executive produced The Royal Variety Performance since 2009. As one of the Creative Directors for ITV Studios, Lee is responsible for overseeing a large array of ‘shiny floor’ shows for ITV as well as other broadcasters and is thrilled once again to be part of the team.
PETER DAVEY
SIOBHAN GREENE
COMMISSIONING EDITOR OF ENTERTAINMENT Peter Davey joined the ITV Network Commissioning team in January 2014 having previously been Creative Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios. As well as The Royal Variety Performance, he is currently responsible for both ‘The X Factor’ and ‘The BRIT Awards’ amongst many other shows. Before joining ITV Peter was Director of Programmes at September Films, creating and producing shows for all UK broadcasters including shows such as ‘Beauty and the Geek’ and ‘Playing it Straight’. Earlier in his career Peter held senior production roles at London Weekend Television and Granada Media, where he was responsible for originating the format that became ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ This is Peter’s second Royal Variety Performance and describes the experience as “my favourite night of the TV year.”
DIRECTOR OF ENTERTAINMENT
Siobhan Greene joined Syco at its inception in 2004, running the television business and launching both ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘The X Factor’, here and around the world. During this time the shows won four British Academy Awards and seven National Television Awards. In September 2012 she joined ITV Studios as Director of Entertainment, overseeing a wide range of entertainment output including the relaunch of ‘Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’, a show she originally helped cocreate and in the last two years has won four BAFTA’s. This year she Executive Produced the US version for NBC, Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris. Siobhan is incredibly proud of The Royal Variety Production team.
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FREDDIE SORENSEN
SENIOR PRODUCER Freddie started his television career at MTV where he worked on MTV News and the MTV Europe Music Awards before becoming a freelance producer on various hit entertainment shows including ‘Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’, ‘The X Factor’, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘America’s Got Talent’. He then crossed over into live event development and production, co-creating and producing the global entertainment format ‘Rebel Bingo’ which now runs in the UK, USA and Spain. This is Freddie’s first time producing The Royal Variety Performance and he describes the role as a childhood dream come true.
JOHN KAYE COOPER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER John started his career with Scottish Television, moving on to Thames TV, Yorkshire TV and LWT where he created and produced ‘Russ Abbot’s Madhouse’ and won a BAFTA award for ‘The Stanley Baxter Series’. As Controller of Entertainment at LWT in the 90s, John had responsibility for many of ITV’s top series including ‘Blind Date’, ‘Barrymore’, ‘Gladiators’, ‘You Bet’ and ‘It’ll Be Alright on the Night’. He left LWT to become Creative Director of Talent Television in 1997, and launched the live interactive event ‘Test the Nation’ on BBC1. He re-joined ITV Network in April 2008 as Controller of Entertainment, and oversaw some of the UK’s biggest entertainment shows including; ‘The X Factor’, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, ‘The Cube’, ‘Take Me Out’ and many of ITV’s major music specials and events, including ‘The Brits’ and The Royal Variety Performances.
COLIN FARQUHAR PRODUCER
Colin graduated with a B.Sc in Social Sciences from the University of Edinburgh in 2002. He began his television career working on 2003’s Royal Variety Performance and has gone on to work on numerous entertainment shows since. His credits include: ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’, ‘The Best of the Royal Variety’, ‘David Walliams: My Life with James Bond’, ‘All The Queen’s Horses: A Diamond Jubilee Special’, ‘Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’, ‘Gary Barlow: Journey to Afghanistan’, ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’ and ‘BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey’. He is absolutely delighted to be working on this, his fifth Royal Variety Performance.
JULIA KNOWLES DIRECTOR
Julia Knowles has an unparalleled reputation as a director of first class live events for television and cinema. Her inspiration is writ-large over many one-off musical events, collaborating with Elton John, Bette Midler, Rod Stewart and Neil Diamond on specials for ITV, Alison Goldfrapp for the live cinema broadcast of ‘Tales of Us’ and a cast of thousands for The Sultan of Oman’s ‘Jubilee spectacular’. Julia is sought after to refresh much loved brands, directing both new series of ‘Sunday Night at The Palladium’, and is equally appreciated as the director to set the style for new shows ranging from ‘Javone Prince’ and ‘One Hundred and Eighty!’ to the ground breaking ‘Big Breakfast’ and ‘The Word’. Whether directing The MTV Awards or ‘Bruce’s Hall of Fame’, Julia consistently pulls together the energies and ambitions of her entire team to create spectacular television.
AMANDA GEORGE
MARK WAGMAN
JESSICA GORDON
KIRSTY PROFFITT
Amanda George started her television career working for TV-am and then went on to work for Sir David Frost and his production company, David Paradine Productions. She joined London Weekend Television in 1996 working as a Production Secretary/Co-ordinator on a variety of programmes. Amanda then moved into Production Management and has worked on many of LWT, Granada and ITV Studios’ high profile entertainment shows such as ‘Blind Date’, ‘Brainiac’, ‘The British Soap Awards’, ‘Nelson Mandela: Happy 90th Birthday’, ‘The Kylie Show’, ‘Michael Bublé: Home for Christmas’, ‘The One and Only Cilla Black’ plus numerous music specials and ‘An Audience with...’ programmes. Amanda is delighted to be Line Producer on her sixth Royal Variety Performance.
Mark started his television career in BBC news and current affairs before working on daily live shows including ‘The Big Breakfast’ and ‘Richard and Judy’. He joined ITV in 2004 where he oversaw and developed talent relations across a range of the company’s output, including numerous ‘An Audience with…’ specials featuring Take That, Celine Dion, Kylie Minogue and Joan Rivers. Mark has also worked on ‘Saturday Night Divas’, ‘Piers Morgan’s Life Stories’ and HRH Prince Charles’s 60th birthday comedy special, ‘We Are Most Amused’. 2012 saw Mark form part of the team that produced ‘The Diamond Jubilee Pageant’ and continues to consult across a wide range of programmes for ITV including ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’ and Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration next year. Mark is proud to be marking his 10th year associated with The Royal Variety Performance.
Jessica graduated with a BA Hons in English Literature from Durham University in 2011. She began her career in Theatre Management before earning a place on ITV’s Graduate Programme in 2012. Since then, she has worked on an array of flagship entertainment programmes including ‘Surprise Surprise,’ ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium,’ ‘BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey’ and ‘The British Soap Awards.’ Jessica is truly honoured to have been granted the opportunity to return to The Royal Variety Performance, having worked on the 2013 production as a Researcher.
Kirsty graduated from the University of Exeter in 2013 with a BA Hons degree in Drama. Whilst travelling Australasia for seven months, she began her career in television working for Network Ten in Australia. Since returning to the UK she has worked as a Production Runner on a variety of high profile entertainment programmes including ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’, ‘Hunted’ and ‘BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey’. Kirsty is elated to be working on The Royal Variety Performance in her first role as Junior Researcher.
PETER BINGEMANN
DAVE DAVEY
KEVIN DUFF
DAVID ARCH
Dave began his lighting career at the BBC on Roy Castle’s ‘Record Breakers’ before moving on to ‘Top of the Pops’ during the Brit-pop era, designing lighting effects for a wide variety of bands and artistes. He now specialises in large, ambitious entertainment shows and live music events and his lighting can be seen on some of Britain’s biggest and best television series, most recently ‘The X Factor’, ‘Ninja Warrior’, ’The National Television Awards’, ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, VE Day 70th Anniversary Concert, ‘The Brit Awards 2014’, and ‘The Pride of Britain Awards’. Dave has been awarded a BAFTA Craft Award for “The X Factor” and an RTS Craft Award for ‘Dancing On Ice’. This is Dave’s third year on The Royal Variety Performance and he is thrilled to be taking part once again.
Kevin started his career in 1987 at London Weekend Television and cut his teeth on the many music and variety shows that they produced. Since then he has run his own company ‘Taking The Mix’ and has worked all over the world mixing live broadcast as well as remixing shows in his own studio. Kevin was awarded a BAFTA Craft Award in 2014 for his work on ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ and was nominated again in 2015 for his music mixing work on ‘The Voice”. Kev is delighted to once again be looking after the audio aspects of The Royal Variety Performance for ITV.
David Arch is best known as the Musical Director for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, which he has worked on with his band and singers since 2006. His extensive recording/album credits include Joni Mitchell, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Robbie Williams, Westlife, Il Divo, Susan Boyle, Elton John, Leona Lewis and Paul McCartney – with whom he has also worked with live. David has contributed to nearly a hundred feature films including the ‘Harry Potter’ series, ‘Star Wars’, ‘Notting Hill’, ‘Calendar Girls’ and ‘Goldeneye’ and was the featured piano soloist in ‘The King’s Speech’. He is honoured to be musical director for this, his fifth Royal Variety Performance.
LINE PRODUCER
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Peter Bingemann has been behind the design of many high profile shows including the Live 8 concerts and the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium. He designed The Children’s Party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen’s 80th birthday, and ‘We Are Most Amused’, created for Prince Charles’ 60th birthday. Other recent designs include ‘The Brit Awards’, ‘Sunday Night at The Palladium’, ‘Popstar to Operastar’, ‘Take That Come to Town’, ‘The Kylie Show’, ‘Neil Diamond: One Night Only’, ‘The BAFTA Film Awards’ at The Royal Opera House, ‘The Classical Brit Awards’ at The Royal Albert Hall, ‘The Nobel Peace Prize Concert’ in Oslo, ‘The Laureus Sports Awards’ in Lisbon and ‘Fashion Rocks’ in Monaco. Peter is proud to be taking part in his eighth Royal Variety Performance.
TALENT EXECUTIVE
LIGHTING DESIGNER
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
SOUND SUPERVISOR
JUNIOR RESEARCHER
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
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FUNDRAISING FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
Patron: HM The Queen Hon. Life President: Laurie Mansfield Chairman: Giles Cooper Est 1908 · Registered Charity No.206451
2015 was a great year for the Royal Variety Charity in terms of Fundraising. In June, we held our second annual Fundraising Lunch which was a huge success, and we would like to say a big thank you to all that supported us in this new venture. BRINSWORTH HOUSE >> In order to continue our plight to provide outstanding nursing care and accommodation to our many residents at Brinsworth House in Twickenham, it is vital that we look to further our fundraising efforts in 2016. The Executive Committee, the Trustees and all the staff at Brinsworth House are dedicated to ensuring that our residential and nursing care home provides first class care for many, many years to come. We would therefore ask that you please continue to aid us by supporting the following event. Thank you so much.
FUNDRAISING LUNCH AT THE ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL, KENSINGTON
Following the success of last year, the Royal Variety Charity is delighted to be hosting its third Fundraising Lunch in aid of Brinsworth House.
Tuesday 14th June 2016 (1-4pm, Reception drinks from 12.30pm) at the Royal Garden Hotel (2-24 Kensington High Street, London W8 4PT)
· 3 course lunch with half a bottle of wine included · An afternoon in the company of special guests, with entertainment throughout · Tickets are priced at £100 each, with discounts available for tables of ten To book your tickets, please contact Lorraine or Victoria: Lorraine@royalvarietycharity.org Victoria@royalvarietycharity.org or telephone 020 8898 8164 CONTACT THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY
Royal Variety Charity Brinsworth House, 72 Staines Road, Twickenham TW2 5AL For all enquiries, donations or residential matters contact us: T: 020 8898 8164 F: 020 8894 0093 E: enquiries@royalvarietycharity.org W: www.royalvarietycharity.org
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BRINSWORTH HOUSE A RESIDENTIAL AND NURSING HOME FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
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THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
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THANK YOU! Laurie Mansfield and Giles Cooper would like to thank all of the following for their hard work and fantastic contribution to this evening’s show: ADVERTISING: Haines & Hall (UK) Ltd, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Ltd, The Club for Acts and Actors, Grand Order of Lady Ratlings, The Really Useful Group, The Tiller Girls, Qdos Entertainment, Laurie Mansfield Associates, Kennedy Street, Grand Order of Water Rats, Shanly Homes, Delfont Foundation, Chelsea Lodge, The Comedian’s Golfing Society, Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, The Hospital Club, Soho Estates Ltd, Media Insurance Brokers, Emma Brunjes Productions, Leicester Square Theatres AGENTS / MANAGEMENT / PR: Hannah Chambers, Katy Eyre - Chambers Management, Jacqui Quaife - Jacqui Quaife PR, Sonny Takhar - Syco Music, Veikko Fuhrman - Motion Music Management, Daniel Hinchliffe - The Soundcheck Group, Karynne Tencer, Clarie Darnell - Tencer & Associates PR INC, Phil Saville Sony Music, Richard Allen-Turner - Avalon Management Group, Rebecca Allen, Molly LadbrookHutt, Nirvana Chelvachandran, Eleanor Thomson - Decca Records, Steve Guest - Guesty PR, Olivier Fillion Boutin - Cirque Du Soleil, Kate Hiscox, Tom Dark - Warner Music, Jon ThodayAvalon Management Group, Neil Hughes, Nicki Ross - RCA, Cameron Mackintosh Limited and the Company of Mary Poppins, Danny Julian, Flo Collins - Off The Kerb, Roger Farr - Academic Animals, Bruno Morelli, Helena McGeough - Virgin / EMI, Kenny Wax, Kezia Lock - Kenny Wax Ltd Mark Bentley - Stage Presence Ltd, Damian Christian, Holly Marshall - Atlantic Records, Dan Chalmers - Warner Music, Dave Woolf, Kizzi Howard - DWL Music PR & Management, Tim Reed, Alex Halpern, Jeffrey Brady - David Ian Productions, Janine Shalom, Sarah Wareing - Premier PR MARKETING / PHOTOGRAPHY / CREATIVE / SECURITY / EXTERNAL SUPPLIERS: Keith Watkins, Joanna Horrigan, Connor Crawford, Christopher Watts, Luke Wright, Rachael Rayner & Jon Paul for Soho Media Group, Arena TV, PRG, Creative Technology, Quantum Special Effects, Potion Pictures, Gee FX, SounDesign, Plus 4 Audio, Steel Monkey, DLM, Complete Camera Platforms, The London Metropolitan Police, The Royal Protection Team, Stage Miracles, Guardforce Security, John Henry’s, The Farm Group, Eat to the Beat, Westminster Council, Royal Variety Charity Photographer - Andy Newbold, ITV Photographer: Matt Frost, Flowers: Bobby Warans & Helen Byrne, Jules & Matisse photo © FremantleMedia/Simco Ltd, Romesh Ranganathan photo © Andy Hollingworth. TILLER GIRLS AND THEIR HELPERS: Shirley Caught, Kath Darragh, Lynn Ford Thompson, Sue Forster, Pamela Harcourt, Rosalie Kirkman, Diana Morrice, Rita McBeath, Fay Robinson, Rosemarie Russell, Hazel Stuart, Rosemary Trowel, June Vincent, David Caught, Gary Caught, Ian Forster, Mark Fox, David Leach, Tony Trowel, Bruce Vincent, Scott Vincent ROYAL ALBERT HALL: Catherine Blackwell and all the staff at the Royal Albert Hall. PAGE 92 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015
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ITV STUDIOS: Creative Director – Lee Connolly, Executive Producer – Fiona Clark, Director – Julia Knowles, Head of Production – Sue Dunford, Line Producer – Amanda George, Talent Executive – Mark Wagman Senior Producer – Freddie Sorensen, Producer – Colin Farquhar, Assistant Producer – Jessica Gordon, Jnr Researcher – Kirsty Proffitt, Production Designer – Peter Bingemann, Lighting Director – Dave Davey, Script Supervisor – Manique Ratner, Production Coordinator – Stacey Elliston, Production Secretary - Cherlynn Andrew-Wilfred, Production Runner – Hamish Carmichael, Costume Designer – Linda Martin, Make-up Supervisor – Nichola Bellamy, Production Buyer – Bobby Warans, Camera Supervisor – Phil Piotrowsky, Sound Supervisors – Kevin Duff and Andy Wernham, Vision Mixer – Naomi Neufeld, Video Editor – Damian O’Neill and Mark Wybourn, Senior Floor Manager – Roger Dempster, Technical Stage Director – Simon Bourne, Stage Managers – Caroline Caley and Sarah Whiting, Assistant Stage Manager – Amy Garrett, Production Accountant – Harjeet Ghataora, Stage Directors – Anthony Van Laast and Dan Shipton, Musical Director – David Arch, The Royal Variety Orchestra, Music Supervisors – Rob Beaumont and Bella Paske ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY: Hon. Life President - Laurie Mansfield • Chairman - Giles Cooper • Vice Chairman - Phil Dale • Treasurer - Ian Freeman • The Executive Committee (elected): Wyn Calvin MBE, Duggie Chapman MBE, Pat Church, Dee-Dee Crosher, Kenny Earle, Joy Francois, Cheryl Garland, Valerie Garland, Fawn James, James Jones, Keith Lascelles, John Logan, Vicki Michelle MBE, George Muranyi, Gordon Peters, Babs Powell, Robert Powell, Rev. Canon Roger Royle, Keith Simmons, Kay Smart, Ronald Smart, Peter Tod, Bradley Walsh, The Dowager Lady Westbury CBE. JP. • Vice Presidents (honorary title) Ronnie Corbett OBE, Jim Davidson OBE, Roger De Courcey, Ken Dodd OBE, Robert Earl Jnr, Roy Hudd OBE, Peter Jay, Stuart Littlewood, Joe Pasquale, Ronald Smart, Nick Thomas • Life Governors (honorary title): Lord Michael Grade CBE, The Dowager Lady Westbury CBE. JP, Lady Sheila Butlin, Cdre. Sir Donald Gosling KCVO. RN • Hon. Chaplain (honorary title): Rev. Canon Roger Royle • Senior Management employed by the Royal Variety Charity: Charity Finance Director - Nilesh Ruparel, Matron of Brinsworth House - Matron Tatree Preece RN, ONC, BA(Hons), MA, Clinical Lead - Suhasini Raja, Senior Nurse - Muriel De Silva, Catering Manager Henry Sheerin, Senior Chef - Claire Rooney, PA to the Chairman of the charity - Cathryn Tomlinson, PA to Matron of Brinsworth House - Kirsty Bristow, Finance Manager - Sital Makwana, Accounts Assistant - Myra Harte, Events Co-Ordinator - Lorraine Keeble, Events Assistant - Victoria Bond, Activities Co-Ordinator - Jay Crank, Maintenance Officers - Joe Williams & Jon Seth • Brinsworth House staff - Sheenamol Alexander, Sue Amory, Mo Atia, Dorothy Atkins, Pedro Barretto, Gillian Beaver, Gemma Bishop, Tracy Brown, Rosita Cajanding, Coral Campbell, Emilinda Canlas, Penny Cheadle, Sarah Colvin, Jill Curley, June Curtis, Dudi Dollani, Elaine Duesbury, Maureen Fois, Anita Gasu, Kate Geoffrey, Annie George, Dawn Good, Teressa Gowlan, Hawa Hashim, Kathleen Howden, Temenushka Ivano Scott Ingam, Golda John, Emese Juhasz, Sheila Keating, Ranjeeta Kaur, Agneieska Korlowska, Erzebet Kurucz, Linda Lado, Lucy Mayall, Suzzane Lado, Millie Mc Lead, Luisa Moreno, Roisin Maun, Ariel Madronio, Thair Ohn, Mohinder Panesar, Suhasini Raja, Esther Rana, Patricia Smith, Lena West, Louise Thompson, Sheenamol Alexander, Dudi Dollani, Hawa Hashim, Emese Juhasz, Sheila Keating BROCHURE: Creative direction & design by Connor Crawford & Christopher Watts at Soho Media Group This brochure is printed on Lumi Silk and certified in accordance with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Copyright © Royal Variety Charity 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Registered Trademarks The Royal Variety Performance and The Royal Variety Show are Registered Trademarks throughout the world, owned by the Royal Variety Charity.
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ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2015 | PAGE 93
WISHES YOU A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENING
On behalf of the Royal Variety Charity, Laurie Mansfield & Giles Cooper, would like to thank the hundreds of people who have worked on this evening’s Royal Variety Performance, with special thanks to Peter Fincham, Elaine Bedell, Lee Connolly, Fiona Clark, Freddie Sorensen, Julia Knowles, Peter Davey, Mark Wagman & Amanda George from ITV Studios and of course, to all the staff at the Royal Albert Hall. brochure creative direction & design by soho media group