R O YA L VA R I E T Y PERFORMANCE F R I D AY 2 4 T H N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7 LONDON
PA L L A D I U M
T H E AT R E
STAG E D IN T H E PRE S E N CE O F THE I R R OYAL HI G HNE SS E S , THE D UK E AND D UC HE SS O F C AM B R I D GE I N AI D O F THE R OYAL VAR I E TY C HAR I T Y
2 0 1 7
R O YA L VA R I E T Y PERFORMANCE
P HOTOG R A P H O F H E R MA J E STY TH E Q U E E N BY M A RY McC A RTN E Y Š 201 5
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.
Presented annually in aid of the
Royal Variety Charity Staged in the presence of
His Royal Highness, The Duke of Cambridge and
Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge
THE R O YA L V A R I E T Y PERFORMANCE
2 0 1 7 Executive Producers, Royal Variety Charity Laurie Mansfield, Giles Cooper & Phil Dale
Creative Director, ITV Studios, Lee Connolly Executive Producer, ITV Studios, Fiona Clark Series Producer, ITV Studios, Lawrie Jordan Director, ITV Studios, Simon Staffurth
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On behalf of The Royal Variety Charity, LAURIE MANSFIELD & GILES COOPER extend a very warm welcome to
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE and
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
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JULIAN CLARY ELAINE PAIGE ASHLEY BANJO & DIVERSITY PAUL ZERDIN NIGEL HAVERS GARY WILMOT CHARLIE STEMP
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THE HOME OF PANTOMIME
FROM 9 DECEMBER FOR 5 WEEKS ONLY | 020 7087 7747 | DickWhittingtonPalladium.com
THE R O YA L VA R I E T Y PERFORMANCE 2017
CONTENTS ROYAL LINE-UPS & ROYAL BOX LIFE-PRESIDENT - MESSAGE OF THANKS CHAIRMAN - WELCOME TO THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT BODY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE VICE-CHAIRMAN & TREASURER PREVIOUS ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCES CHAIRMAN’S CHARITY THANKS ROYAL PATRONAGE OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT ACT ONE BRINSWORTH HOUSE WORK OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY TRIBUTE TO JOY FRANCOIS TRIBUTE TO KENNETH EARLE ACT TWO LONDON PALLADIUM THEATRE ITV STUDIOS ITV PRODUCTION STAFF CREDITS & THANKS
6-7 8-9 10-11 15 16-23 24 26-33 34 36 38-39 43-50 52-59 61 62 63 65-71 76-77 79 80-81 90-91
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THE 90th ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE and
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE will be greeted upon arrival by:
The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Wing Commander Mike Dudgeon OBE DL and then introduced to:
LAURIE MANSFIELD Life-President & Executive Producer
GILES COOPER Chairman & Executive Producer
who will then in turn present the official Royal Line-Up:
PRE-SHOW ROYAL LINE-UP
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PHIL DALE Vice-Chairman, Royal Variety Charity
JOHN LOGAN Executive Committee Member, Royal Variety Charity
IAN FREEMAN Treasurer, Royal Variety Charity
KEVIN LYGO Director of Television, ITV
NILESH RUPAREL Trustee, Royal Variety Charity
ROSEMARY NEWELL Director of Programming and Strategy, ITV
THE DOWAGER LADY WESTBURY CBE. JP. Life Governor, Royal Variety Charity
JULIAN BELLAMY Managing Director, ITV Studios
REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE Hon. Chaplain, Royal Variety Charity
ANGELA JAIN Managing Director, ITV Studios Entertainment
PRESENTATION A copy of this show programme will be presented to HRH The Duke of Cambridge by 12-year old MAX HAINES and a posy of flowers will be presented to HRH The Duchess of Cambridge by 12-year old HEATHER COOPER.
THE ROYAL BOX HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE and
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE will be accompanied in the Royal Box by;
LAURIE MANSFIELD
Life-President & Executive Producer and
GILES COOPER
Chairman & Executive Producer
POST-SHOW ON-STAGE ROYAL LINE-UP Their Royal Highnesses 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 artists will be introduced to the Royal party by Executive Producers:Fiona Clark and Lawrie Jordan ITV Studios and Laurie Mansfield Life-President and Giles Cooper Chairman
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MESSAGE OF THANKS
LAURIE MANSFIELD LIFE-PRESIDENT “Tonight we return once again to the London Palladium and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Lord Lloyd Webber for allowing us to stage our annual show at this wonderful theatre. I would also like to thank all at ITV Studios for their enthusiasm and commitment to our charity and would like to acknowledge our great relationship with Britain’s Got Talent, the winning prize being the series winner to appear on our show. I would like to thank the Matron of Brinsworth House, Tatree Preece RGN and everybody who is connected at Brinsworth House for their devotion and effort during the year. I feel it is important to thank the work and commitment of our Chairman Giles Cooper, together with all the Members of the Executive Committee and of course, my fellow Trustees. Their combined work and dedication bind our charity together with strength during these difficult times. Finally, I would like to thank the Royal Family for their continued support and especially HRH The Duke of Cambridge and HRH The Duchess of Cambridge 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.”
Hon. Life-President & Executive Producer
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THANKS
Laurie Mansfield Hon. Life President & Executive Producer
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WELCOME
GILES COOPER CHAIRMAN “Welcome to the Royal Variety Performance 2017! I’d particularly like to welcome TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this evening - on behalf of everyone at the Royal Variety Charity, ITV and the London Palladium, a very warm welcome to you both and thank you so much for supporting the Royal Variety Charity. I’d also like to thank the Royal Household at Kensington Palace for their fantastic help and assistance, as well as the numerous police officers, security services, council officers and production staff, all of whom have contributed hugely to this evening’s event. I’d especially like to highlight from the Royal Variety Charity, Lorraine Crowther, Peter Hinton, Kirsty Bristow and Victoria Bond for helping me organise this our annual fundraiser and particularly my co-producer, Life-President Laurie Mansfield. 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 artists performing in tonight’s ‘Royal Command’, all of whom have donated their services in support of the Royal Variety Charity. I’m sure you’ll do us all proud and thank you so much for committing your valuable time and energy to this evening’s production. Let the show begin! Please sit back and enjoy!”
Chairman & Executive Producer
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WELCOME
Giles Cooper Chairman & Executive Producer
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WISHES YOU A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENING
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MANAGEMENT BODY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY
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
Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Hon. Life-President: LAURIE MANSFIELD Chairman: GILES COOPER
Elected Members:
Honorary Members:
Elected Chairman of the Royal Variety Charity: GILES COOPER
Honorary Life-President of the Royal Variety Charity: LAURIE MANSFIELD
Elected Vice-Chairman: PHIL DALE, Elected Treasurer: IAN FREEMAN
Honorary Vice-Presidents of the Royal Variety Charity: STUART LITTLEWOOD • JOE PASQUALE • JIM DAVIDSON OBE • ROGER DE COURCEY • KEN DODD OBE • ROBERT EARL JNR. • ROY HUDD OBE PETER JAY • RONALD SMART • NICK THOMAS
Elected Trustees of the Royal Variety Charity: LAURIE MANSFIELD, GILES COOPER, PHIL DALE, IAN FREEMAN, NILESH RUPAREL Elected Members of The Executive Committee: WYN CALVIN MBE • PAT CHURCH • GILES COOPER • DEE-DEE CROSHER PHIL DALE • IAN FREEMAN • PAUL GANJOU • CHERYL GARLAND • VALERIE GARLAND • FAWN JAMES • KEITH LASCELLES • JOHN LOGAN • LAURIE MANSFIELD • VICKI MICHELLE MBE • GEORGE MURANYI • GORDON PETERS • BABS POWELL • ROBERT POWELL • REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE NILESH RUPAREL • KEITH SIMMONS • RONALD SMART • BRADLEY WALSH DOWAGER LADY WESTBURY CBE. JP
For more information on the Royal Variety Performance, please visit: www.RoyalVarietyPerformance.org
THE
ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY
Honorary Life-Governors of the Royal Variety Charity: CDRE. SIR DONALD GOSLING KCVO • LORD MICHAEL GRADE CBE THE DOWAGER LADY WESTBURY CBE. JP Honorary Chaplain of the Royal Variety Charity: REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE
For more information on the Royal Variety Charity please visit: www.royalvarietycharity.org
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
T
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. 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.
His Majesty King George V
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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! 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.
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. 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. 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. 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
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
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. 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’.
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ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
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.
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
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. 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. 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 long-established 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 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. 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.
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
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 – 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.
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 prerecorded 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.
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 renegotiated screening fees in the UK and abroad. 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. 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.
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.
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
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 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. 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, Collabro in 2014 and Jules, Matisse & Friends in 2015. 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
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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. The Royal Variety Performance has been hosted by many cities outside London, in its lifetime, including Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Blackpool and Manchester. 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 was staged for only the second time at the Royal Albert Hall and marked another first, with the attendance of HRH Prince Harry for his first time. Security was tight for the ever-popular Prince and it got even tighter as the night progressed and news of the numerous terrorist bombs in Paris spread amongst the security services. The show was led by its youngest ever host at 29 years
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
old, Jack Whitehall, who introduced acts including the debut return of Jeff Lynne’s ELO, together with Little Mix, Brandon Flowers from the Killers, Ricky Martin and Sir Elton John. A highlight included a magical show stopping moment from the cast of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s multi-award winning musical Mary Poppins, when Mary flew to the stage suspended by a zip-wire stretching the entire length of the Albert Hall! However, a surprise addition from the relatively unknown cast of the Play That Goes Wrong, for many stole the show, and included some surprise star cameos including participation from Kylie Minogue, Josh Groban and Jack Whitehall!
The 2016 Royal Variety Performance returned to London’s Hammersmith Apollo for only the second time in its history and was attended by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Hosted by David Walliams, highlights included Lady GaGa, Sting, Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow and Barry Gibb. The Royal Variety Charity then staged its official aftershow party and banquet at Grosvenor House on Park Lane for the first time.
OVER 100 YEARS OF HISTORY For more information on the history of the Royal Variety Performance, please visit: www.RoyalVarietyPerformance.org/history
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PHIL DALE VICE-CHAIRMAN
IAN FREEMAN TREASURER
I
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.
Phil Dale Vice-Chairman
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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.
S
Ian Freeman Treasurer
o, another year has passed and here we all are at another truly spectacular Royal Variety Performance. The show is our main annual fundraising event and we thank you all for attending and helping us to secure the future of this wonderful Charity. Our residential home, Brinsworth House, continues, with your help, to provide the highest standard of care for former showbusiness professionals. On behalf of our residents and all our other beneficiaries, as well as all the officers of the Charity, our grateful thanks for your valuable 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 from the bottom of our hearts for your help, encouragement and patronage.
Stuart and Sheila Littlewood and all at
are delighted to support the
Royal Variety Performance 2017 We wish you all a wonderful evening
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T@teamhandshake ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 27
PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES RVP 89 2016 LONDON, EVENTIM APOLLO
Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL Included: David Walliams, Robbie Williams, Diversity, Rob Beckett, DNCE, The Beatles Love by Cirque Du Soleil, OneRepublic, Joe Lycett, Tom Fletcher’s The Christmasaurus, ABC, Lady Gaga, An American in Paris, Alan Davies, Gary Barlow, Lance Corporal Richard Jones, Emeli Sandé, Sting, Amber Riley, Barry Gibb.
RVP 88 2015 LONDON, ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Held in the presence of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE HENRY OF WALES Included: Jack Whitehall, One Direction, Ricky Martin, Chris Ramsey, Kacey Musgraves, Cirque du Soleil, Josh Groban, Little Mix, Matt Forde, Kylie Minogue, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Mary Poppins, Romesh Ranganathan, Jules, Matisse and Friends, Brandon Flowers, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Corrs, Beverley Knight, Elton John.
RVP 83 2010 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 82 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 87 2014 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 86 2013 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 85 2012 LONDON, ROYAL ALBERT HALL
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.
RVP 84 2011 MANCHESTER, LOWRY
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.
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RVP 81
2008 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 80 2007 LIVERPOOL, EMPIRE
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.
RVP 79 2006 LONDON, COLISEUM
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.
RVP 78 2005 CARDIFF, MILLENNIUM CENTRE
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.
PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
RVP 77 2004 LONDON, COLISEUM
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.
RVP 76 2003 EDINBURGH, FESTIVAL THEATRE
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.
RVP 75 2002 LONDON, APOLLO
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.
RVP 74 2001 LONDON, DOMINION
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.
RVP 73 2000 LONDON, DOMINION
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.
RVP 72 1999 BIRMINGHAM, HIPPODROME
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.
RVP 71 1998 LONDON, LYCEUM
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.
RVP 70 1997 LONDON, VICTORIA PALACE
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 & 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.
RVP 69 1996 LONDON, DOMINION
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.
RVP 68 1995 LONDON, DOMINION
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.
RVP 67 1994 LONDON, DOMINION
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.
RVP 66 1993 LONDON, DOMINION
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.
RVP 65 1992 LONDON, DOMINION
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
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 29
PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
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.
RVP 64 1991 LONDON, VICTORIA PALACE
Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Included: Sir David Frost – Host, Diana Ross, Kenny Andrews, Michael Ball, Simon Bowman, Linda Mae Brewer, Beverly Craven, Jim Dale, Les Dawson, Clinton Derricks Carroll, John Diedrich, Mike Doyle, Chip Esten, Rosemarie Ford, Ann Howard, Roy Hudd, Lisa Hull, Gloria Hunniford, Eric Idle, Barry James, Peter Land, Cherida Langford, Patti Lupone, Jillie Mack, Gareth Marks, Jackie Mason, Paul J Medford, Claire Moore, Julia Mckenzie, Omar Okai, Elaine Paige, Billy Pearce, The Roly Polys, Frances Ruffelle, Lea Salonga, Ned Sherrin, Scott Sherrin, Wayne Sleep, Dig Wayne, Marti Webb, Colm Wilkinson, Sandy Strallen, Susan-Jane Tanner, The Cast Of Buddy, The Dagenham Girl Pipers, The London Community Gospel Choir, The Sixties Tiller Girls, The Stephen Hill Singers, The Sylvia Young Theatre School, The Young Voronezh Balalaikas, Cast Of Les Miserables, Cast Of Cats, Cast Of Phantom Of The Opera, Cast Of Miss Saigon, Cast Of Evita, Tribute To Cameron Mackintosh : “ Hey Mr Producer”
RVP 63 1990 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 62 1989 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 61 1988 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
30 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
RVP 60 1987 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 59 1986 LONDON, THEATRE ROYAL
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.
RVP 58 1985 LONDON, THEATRE ROYAL
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.
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.
PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
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
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.
RVP 53 1980 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 52 1979 LONDON, THEATRE ROYAL
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.
RVP 51
1978 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 50 1977 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 49 1976 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 48 1975 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 47 1974 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 46 1973 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 45 1972 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 44 1971 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 43 1970 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
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RVP 42 1969 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 41 1968 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.
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 Burt Bacharach.
RVP 35 1962 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 34 1961 LONDON, PRINCE OF WALES
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.
RVP 40 1967 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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 33 1960 LONDON, VICTORIA PALACE
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.
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 32 1959 MANCHESTER, PALACE
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.
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,
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RVP 31
1958 LONDON, COLISEUM
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
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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.
RVP 30 1957 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 29 1956 LONDON, VICTORIA PALACE
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.
RVP 28 1955 BLACKPOOL, OPERA HOUSE
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.
RVP 27 1954 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 26 1953 LONDON, COLISEUM
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.
RVP 25 1952 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 24 1951 LONDON, VICTORIA PALACE
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,
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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.
RVP 19 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 23 1950 LONDON, VICTORIA PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 18
1945 LONDON, COLISEUM
RVP 17
1938 LONDON, COLISEUM
RVP 22 1949 LONDON, COLISEUM
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.
RVP 21
1948 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 20 1947 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
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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.
RVP 16 1937 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 15
1935 LONDON, PALLADIUM
Held in the presence of HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY Included: Hannah Wyatt, Jeanne Devereaux, Nervo & Knox, Naughton & Gold, Flanagan
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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.
RVP 14 1934 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 13
RVP 12
RVP 11
1933 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
1932 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
1931 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 10 1930 LONDON, PALLADIUM
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.
RVP 09 1928 LONDON, COLISEUM
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.
RVP 08 1927 LONDON, VICTORIA PALACE
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.
RVP 07 1926 LONDON, ALHAMBRA PALACE
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.
RVP 06 1925 LONDON, ALHAMBRA PALACE
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.
RVP 05 1923 LONDON, COLISEUM
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.
RVP 04 1922 LONDON, HIPPODROME
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.
RVP 03 1921 LONDON, HIPPODROME
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.
RVP 02 1919 LONDON, COLISEUM
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.
RVP 01 1912 LONDON, PALACE THEATRE
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.
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 35
CHAIRMAN’S CHARITY THANKS
I
“
t continues to be a real privilege to lead this great charity. Our staff and unpaid volunteers work tirelessly to help those in need throughout the entertainment industry, both in our care home in Twickenham and indeed all-across the UK - they are all truly inspirational people to work with. I’d like to thank all the Members of our Executive Committee, including their elected Officers and Trustees for donating their valuable time throughout the year and for working so hard for those in need within the entertainment industry. Particular thanks must go to the Members of our Grants Sub-Committee, John Logan, Gordon Peters, The Dowager Lady Westbury CBE. JP and Pat Church who have met up regularly throughout the year to review applications for assistance from those who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry. I’d like to also pay special thanks to Lorraine Crowther in our Events Team, to our Operations Manager Peter Hinton, our Office Manager Kirsty Bristow, our Grants Officer Sheila Powell and our newly employed Care Home Administration Manager Nily Ron McGrath. Huge thanks must go to our Matron, Tatree Preece and to all the staff at Brinsworth House, for providing such excellent care for our many residents. They continue to make me and the entire Management Body so proud of their outstanding work. In terms of finance, it goes without saying just how much the charity owes a debt of gratitude to our extremely dedicated Treasurer, Ian Freeman, for his diligence in overseeing the charity’s Finance department. I’d like to add my thanks for the hard work of Sital Makwana and Myra Harte as well as acknowledging the contribution and commitment of our Trustee’s Finance Committee, comprising of Nilesh Ruparel, Phil Dale and Ian Freeman.”
Giles Cooper, Chairman
36 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
THE
ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY
020 7087 7760 | THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE | 42ndStreetMusical.co.uk ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 37
ROYAL PATRONAGE OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY 1921 - 1936
HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY
1936 - 2002
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER
1921
2017 1936 - 1952
HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI
T
1952 - PRESENT
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
he 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 and of course, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
38 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
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BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT WINNER 2017 TOKIO MYERS
T
he hugely successful, annual ITV television show, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, generously donates a 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 extremely proud to be associated with ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, and gratefully acknowledges the continued help and support of Simon Cowell and all at Syco and Thames TV. London-born pianist Tokyo Myers won the 11th series of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ in June 2017. The 32-year-old former Royal College of Music student won both the judges and audience over with his skilful playing and inspired mash-ups of classical pieces with current pop & rock, including Debussy’s ‘Clair De Lune’ mixed with Ed Sheeran’s ‘Bloodstream’. In the final he performed a rendition of Rag’n’Bone Man’s hit ‘Human’ combined with classical music and Des’ree’s ‘Kissing You’ beating off 11 other acts, including eight-year-old magician Issy Simpson and comedian Daliso Chaponda. Visibly shocked, the 32-year-old musician exclaimed “I can’t believe it!” as Ant and Dec made the announcement in front of the extremely supportive audience, before sweeping up Issy for a large hug. Congratulations to all contestants and to all at Syco and Thames TV for producing another amazing series of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’!
40 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
HISTORY OF WINNERS
LCPL RICHARD JONES
2016 Series 10 Lance Corporal Richard Jones won BGT in 2016 following over two and half million votes from the public, and became the first ever magician to win. Richard won his spot on the Royal Variety Performance, which was staged on 6th December 2016 at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, in the presence of TRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
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.
JULES, MATISSE & FRIENDS
COLLABRO
ATTRACTION
ASHLEIGH & PUDSEY
SPELBOUND
DIVERSITY
GEORGE SAMPSON
PAUL POTTS
2015 Series 9 Jules, Matisse and friends won the 9th series of Britian’s Got Talent and won their spot on the Royal Variety Performance, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 13th November 2015 in the presence of HRH Prince Harry.
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.
2014 Series 8 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2007 Series 1 The ex-Carphone Warehouse 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.
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 41
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WISHING EVERYONE A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENING AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
Laurie Mansfield Associates Suite 17, Adam House 7-10 Adam Street London WC2N 6AA T 020 7520 9411 E info@lauriemansfield.co.uk 44 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
Presented annually in aid of the
Royal Variety Charity Staged in the presence of
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THE R O YA L V A R I E T Y PERFORMANCE
2 0 1 7 Executive Producers, Royal Variety Charity Laurie Mansfield, Giles Cooper & Phil Dale
Creative Director, ITV Studios, Lee Connolly Executive Producer, ITV Studios, Fiona Clark Series Producer, ITV Studios, Lawrie Jordan Director, ITV Studios, Simon Staffurth
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 43
THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
ACT ONE NATIONAL ANTHEM
YOUR HOST:
MIRANDA HART 42ND STREET
CIRCUS ABYSSINIA JAMES BLUNT TOM ALLEN LOUIS TOMLINSON THE SCRIPT COLIN CLOUD PALOMA FAITH TOKIO MYERS INTERVAL OF 20 MINUTES
44 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
YO UR HOST
M I RA NDA HA RT
M
iranda Hart is best known for her hugely successful sitcom ‘Miranda’ which ran for four series, garnered three RTS Awards, four British Comedy Awards and five BAFTA nominations. She is widely regarded as one of Britain’s top comedians, and in 2014 was the first female comic to perform a UK arena tour, ‘My, What I Call, Live Show’, which included five sell out nights at the 02 Arena. In addition to her roles as a comedy actress in shows such as ’Not Going Out’, ‘Gangsta Granny’, ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ and ’Smack the Pony’, Miranda earned a BAFTA nomination for her performance in BBC drama ‘Call the Midwife’. Her role as thoroughly decent Camilla “Chummy” Fortescue-Cholmeley-Browne won her an NTA Award and two TV Choice Awards. In 2015, Miranda took to the big screen and starred in her first movie ‘Spy’. She will also be featuring in the upcoming 2018 Disney film ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’. Miranda has also proven herself an accomplished writer. Her first book ‘Is It Just Me?’ won Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the Specsavers National Book Awards in 2012, and was the biggest selling non-fiction hardback of 2013. It was followed by ‘Peggy & Me’, and she published her first children’s book ‘The Girl With The Lost Smile’ in October. “If you don’t mind me I am just going to smash a glass ceiling and be the first woman to host the Royal Variety. That felt GOOD! It’s thrilling for me because of that, and because I am hugely proud to be part of such an important event in our comedy and variety heritage. The young-wannabe-comedian me would be beyond excited to hear that grown-up me is going to be hosting - only I’ll be doing it without the 1970’s pudding bowl haircut that made me look like a young male monk!”
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 45
ACT ONE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
4
4 2 N D STR E E T
‘
2nd STREET’ opened in the West End in April 2017 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to rave reviews and standing ovations. Directed by Mark Bramble, who co-authored the book for the original production and directed the 2001 Tony Award® winning revival, the musical features iconic songs ‘42nd STREET’ and ‘We’re In The Money’. The story follows Peggy Sawyer who is fresh off the bus from smalltown America and just another face in the chorus line on Broadway’s newest show. When the leading lady gets injured, Peggy gets a shot at stardom she’s always dreamed of. Tonight, all singing, all tapping cast of ‘42nd STREET’ perform alongside principles Tom Lister as Julian Marsh, Clare Halse as Peggy Sawyer and Jasna Ivir as Maggie Jones. Producers Michael Linnit & Michael Grade said “It’s an honour for us to have ‘42nd STREET’ open the Royal Variety Performance. ‘42nd STREET’ has always been a firm favourite with the Royal Family, from the Queen Mother celebrating her 84th birthday at the show in 1984 to introducing the iconic musical to the Duchess of Cambridge at our April 2017 Gala opening. It means a lot to us that our company will perform on the magnificent Palladium stage.”
46 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
E
CI R CUS A BYSS I N I A
thiopian brothers Bibi and Bichu have performed across the world, thrilling audiences with their impressive juggling. This year they premiered their new show Circus Abyssinia which features the extraordinary acrobatics of the Konjowoch Troupe. Performer Zena Shmelse Tefera said “The creation of Circus Abyssinia has changed our lives and realised our dreams. We grew up dreaming of joining the circus, but (for all its rich and vibrant traditions of music and art) Ethiopia has no circus tradition, and very few acrobats make a living by their skills. When Bibi and Bichu, the original circus dreamers started sponsoring our circus school in Addis Ababa, a world of possibilities opened up for us. We’ve been incredibly lucky. Circus is a joy, not a job; to perform is to be happy and free and thrillingly alive, and we love nothing more than to share the beats and excitement of acrobatic daring and dance with an audience. And that’s what it’s really all about - although our circus is a journey through Ethiopia’s culture, and explores musical and artistic traditions, at its heart is a celebration of the dreams and joys common to all cultures and continents, and that brings us together.”
ACT ONE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
J
JA M E S BLU N T
ames Blunt, who formerly served in the Household Calvary, rose to prominence in 2004 with the release of his debut studio album, ‘Back To Bedlam’ achieving worldwide fame with the singles ‘You’re Beautiful’ and ‘Goodbye My Lover’. Over the course of his career, he has sold over 20 million albums and 20 million singles worldwide and has received many accolades including two Brit Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards. James released his fifth album in March 2017 titled ‘The Afterlove’ which features collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Ryan Tedder and singles ‘Bartender’, ‘Love Me Better’ and ‘Times Of Our Lives’. He is currently touring Europe with his new show ‘The Afterlove Tour’ which is running until July 2018. Tonight, James will be returning for his second Royal Variety Performance, singing ‘Don’t Give Me Those Eyes’ from his latest album.
C
TO M A L L E N
omedian Tom Allen is well known for his acerbic wit and camp, riotous storytelling. He burst onto the comedy scene at the age of 22 and won So You Think You’re Funny in Edinburgh and the BBC New Comedy Awards in the same year. Tom is known to TV audiences for his appearances on popular shows such as ‘8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown’, ‘The Great British Bake Off: Extra Slice’ as well as ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘Mock the Week’ and Channel 4’s ‘Comedy Gala’ at the O2. He has notched up several appearances on ‘Just a Minute’ including the 50th anniversary episode alongside Prince Charles. Tom is currently on tour with his latest show ‘Absolutely’ which has just extended its run into 2018. “I am thrilled to be included in this incredible occasion sharing the stage with so many inspiring performers for this wonderful cause.”
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 47
ACT ONE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
P
LOU I S TOM L I N SON
ropelled to international success as part of One Direction in 2010, Louis Tomlinson co-wrote 29 songs for the band. One Direction were a global sensation racking up numerous No.1 singles and were honoured with seven Brit awards. The band were the first UK group in history to hit the No.1 spot in the US album charts with their first four albums. Since launching his solo career in 2016, Louis has released two singles ‘Just Hold On’ with Steve Aoki, which peaked at No.2 in the UK charts in 2016 and ‘Back to You’ with Bebe Rexha, which has to date had sales of over 1 million. His debut album is due to be released in 2018 and Louis joins us here tonight to sing ‘Miss You’, one of the featured tracks for his first solo Royal Variety Performance. “It's always an honour to be asked to perform at the Royal Variety Performance alongside so many amazing artists. The show is one of our great British traditions that I hope will continue for a very long time.”
48 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
C
T HE S CR I P T
omprised of Danny O'Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power, The Script are an Irish Rock Band who topped the charts with their debut album ‘The Script’ in 2008. The multi-platinum band quickly established success followed with global arena tours and record sales in excess of 29 million. Some of their most well known hits include ‘Breakeven’, ‘The Man Who Can't Be Moved’, ‘Hall of Fame’ and ‘Superheroes’. To date, they have released five studio albums, four of which reached Number One in the UK Charts. Their latest album ‘Freedom Child’ was released in September 2017 and they are currently on a world tour until May 2018. Tonight they’re performing their hit single ‘Rain’ for their Royal Variety Performance debut. “We’re delighted and honoured to be performing in front of The Royal Family at the Royal Variety Show this year raising funds and awareness for such a worthy cause. It’s our first ever performance on the event and we can’t wait to take to the stage to perform our single Rain”.
ACT ONE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
H
COL I N CLOU D
e's the real-life Sherlock Holmes of entertainment, if Sherlock Holmes had a flair for comedy. Stage mentalist Colin Cloud has stunned audiences across the globe, intriguing sceptics and fans alike with his outrageous stunts and unbelievable deductions which challenge the way we all think about the world. His Edinburgh Festival show has sold out year on year, to five-star acclaim and was voted in the top three from more than 4000 acts. From London’s West End to Las Vegas, New York to New Zealand, Colin’s popularity shows no bounds. He was a finalist in ‘America’s Got Talent’ in 2017 where he performed an elaborate stunt predicting the ‘murder’ of Simon Cowell. Currently, Colin is starring in ‘The Illusionists Live from Broadway’ Tour in the US. Tonight marks his debut on the Royal Variety Performance. "I’m honoured and thrilled to be returning to the UK for this very special occasion.”
S
PA LO MA FA I T H
inger, songwriter Paloma Faith is known for her unique style, big personality and soulful vocal. She won the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist in 2015 and went on to be a judge on ‘The Voice UK’ the same year. Paloma is one of only two British female artists in this decade to have their last three albums go double platinum (the other being Adele). ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’ is her biggest selling single to date, with over half a million copies sold and 55 million streams on Spotify. Other smash hit singles include ‘Changing’, ‘Picking up the Pieces’ and ‘New York’. Paloma releases her much anticipated 4th album ‘The Architect’ this month which features the catchy hit single ‘Crybaby’, and the new remarkable track ‘Guilty’ which she is performing tonight. Paloma is set to embark on a UK Arena tour in 2018.
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 49
ACT ONE
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
H
TOK I O M Y E R S
aving previously supported the likes of Kayne West and Amy Winehouse, former session pianist rose to fame after winning this year’s series of 'Britain's Got Talent'. The talented musician dazzled audiences with his impressive and unique style, playing piano to accompany a stunning mix of iconic songs. He was crowned the winner on 'Britain's Got Talent' following his beautiful rendition of Rag n Bone man's hit track 'Human'. Other memorable performances on the show include his version of Rhianna’s ‘Diamonds’ and Ed Sheeran’s ‘Bloodstream’. Since the show, Tokio has gone on to perform at some of the UK's most popular festivals including the Secret Garden Party and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is set to release his debut album titled 'Our Generation' in November 2017. Tonight, Tokio Myers is making his Royal Variety Performance debut. “It is an honour to be performing at the Royal Variety Performance, see you there.”
50 | ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
P L E AS E E N JOY A 2 0 MI N UT E I N T E RVA L
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Brinsworth House stands as a place of safety, peace, happiness and tranquility and being exclusively a home for members of the entertainment profession, it means our residents are surrounded by like-minded people who share similar backgrounds and interests.
“In this dear and darling business of ours, the threat of financial and health worries is always present. We, all of us, whatever our standing, live with them side-by-side. It is therefore an enormous comfort and cheering influence to know that Brinsworth House is there. Always. At any time.� RONNIE CORBETT, CBE
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BRINSWORTH HOUSE CARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
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BRINSWORTH HOUSE CARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
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t has been four years since I accepted the position of Matron at Brinsworth House, a very unique and special Care Home and it is always a pleasure to be able to write about the past year in the Royal Variety Performance souvenir brochure. Brinsworth House was purchased with generous charitable donations in 1911, with a vision to provide a home for retired members of the entertainment world. Many things have changed since then but the ethos of providing a safe and secure home using donations from the public remains unaltered. One of the most significant changes over the years is the high level of nursing care that Brinsworth House now provides to a number of its residents. Of the 36 bedrooms, 19 are registered for nursing and we are delighted to be able to cater for a wide range of nursing care needs, including palliative care. There is no “standard” admission to Brinsworth House as each resident’s admission is unique and person-centred. Wherever possible, we prefer to meet the prospective resident with their family and friends to assess their care needs prior to admission. This is to ensure that all their needs can be identified and will be fully met by our experienced Nurses and trained Health Care Assistants. These are supported by the management team, the catering team, the maintenance team, the laundry team and the activity team which includes three volunteers. At Brinsworth House, we work very closely with our residents in supporting them to live fulfilling lives. Brinsworth House’s roof really does span the world of entertainment and includes performers, broadcasters, technicians and agents. The care needs of some of our residents reflect this diversity. It is therefore my intention to work closely with the staff at Brinsworth House to enhance their existing skills with a robust training programme that goes beyond the basic and mandatory levels expected within care today. The Trustees and Executive Committee of the charity recognise the importance of investing in their staff and are supportive of a quality training programme which is the first crucial step in making it happen. Our last visit by The Care Quality Commission (CQC) was in 2016. The inspection was thorough with much detailed examination of our systems and observation of our staff’s interaction with our residents. Although potentially daunting, I consider such inspections to be a good opportunity to work with the CQC in a productive way and I have nothing but praise for the Inspector who visited us. I’m pleased to say that the published report showed that we are fully compliant in meeting all the CQC Fundamental Standards. During the last twelve months, our staff have been committed to the Gold Standard Framework in an attempt to enhance the care experience for our residents. Staff are also supported and rewarded through the Investors in People program to further their training and development. This year, we were visited by Environmental Health and I am very happy to say that we maintained our five star rating in the kitchen. We have also recruited a new Head Chef who has introduced fine dining meals in addition to our traditional meals.
Matron Tatree Preece RGN, ONC, BA(Hons), MA
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In September of this year, sixteen Brinsworth House staff members were nominated for a Dignity in Care Award, an award ceremony held by the London Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames to recognise individuals who go above and beyond. The staff were invited to attend a presentation ceremony where they met the Deputy Mayor. We had a wonderful result with a member of Brinsworth House staff winning the award and two awarded runners up!
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BRINSWORTH HOUSE CARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
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Brinsworth House was also honoured with a visit from the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress in July which was a wonderful day for all the residents and staff. Our Honorary Chaplin, Rev. Canon Roger Royle visits us on a regular basis to meet the spiritual needs of our residents. This includes giving monthly communion and bringing the Christmas spirit in on Christmas Day! It is with great sadness that our beloved Executive Committee member Joy Francois passed away recently after her many years of dedication to Brinsworth House. Joy worked tirelessly organising fortnightly entertainment and regular parties for our residents. We will all miss her support and sparkling personality. I would like to say a special thank you to all my staff for their dedication in actively supporting our residents to lead a comfortable and happy life through their compassionate care delivery, their fine food creation, and their novel daily activities, including our twice daily bar openings. Some special activities our residents have enjoyed in 2017 have been the annual boat trip down the River Thames, HM The Queen’s birthday celebrations, a number of trips to Kew Gardens, the Chinese Circus and a pantomime at the London Palladium. For prospective residents, the thought of going into a residential care home can be quite worrying. It is a huge decision that needs careful consideration as one’s care needs start to change. If we are able to help you by answering any questions on our admissions policy, funding opportunities or room availability then please do contact us on: Phone: 020 8898 8164 (ext 210) Email: peter@royalvarietycharity.org. We usually request a biography and a completed application form, followed by an invite to visit Brinsworth House. This provides the prospective resident with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of what we are able to offer and is an opportunity to answer any other questions they may have. Although we are fortunate enough to receive referrals and donations from other “sister” entertainment charities, much of our work at Brinsworth House would simply not be possible without the continued financial support from the Royal Variety Performance and the regular donations we receive from the public. I would therefore like to say a huge thank you for making this evening possible through your purchase of a ticket, which will enable the very important work at Brinsworth House to continue.
Matron Tatree Preece MA BA (Hons) RGN ONC
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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BRINSWORTH HOUSE FACILITIES 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.
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WORK OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY BY HON. CHAPLAIN, THE REV. CANON ROGER ROYLE
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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, line-tester 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!
Rev. Canon Roger Royle Hon. Chaplain
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.
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A TRIBUTE TO JOY FRANCOIS 1932-2017 RIP
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orn on 2nd May 1932, Joy François made her professional debut aged just 11. Becoming a Betty Fox Babe, she joined the cast of Cinderella and performed in panto alongside Ted Ray at the Coventry Hippodrome. Soon after, Joy embarked on a tour with the successful show ‘Goody Two Shoes’, followed by her first summer season at Cleveley’s Arena in Lancashire with Norman Savage. It was then that she adopted the stage name Joy Zandra. In 1948 at just 16, she met Manny François while performing on the same bill at the County Theatre in Bedford. They were married in 1958 and their lifelong romance and devotion to each other lasted until 2009 when Manny sadly passed away. After meeting Manny, Joy continued as a solo artiste for a short time, performing as an understudy to Eve Boswell in panto for Tom Arnold. However, it wasn’t long before she joined in partnership with Manny, becoming the duo ‘François and Zandra’. Their first summer show as a double act was at the Pier Pavilion Llandudno followed by a season with Harry Secombe in Southsea. They met Ken Dodd in 1955 in what was his first professional panto and became lifelong friends. François and Zandra signed to the Delfont Organisation and played every number one theatre in the country through the 1950s and 1960s, supporting all the great stars. This included summer seasons for Harold Fielding, reviews and of course a host of variety shows. François and Zandra are credited with presenting a record six different acts in one week at the Finsbury Park Empire. Joy was also crowned Daily Express Hula Hoop Queen in the late 1950s and toured Scotland’s Dance Halls with Manny as Compere. They worked many times with Bruce Forsyth and it was Manny and Joy who recommended
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Bruce to their agent Billy Marsh for the Sunday Night at the London Palladium compere spot. The rest, as they say, is history and Bruce never forgot that kindness, staying in touch with them from then on. For 11 years throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Manny and Joy played marathon summer seasons from April to October at the Royal Hotel Whitby, presenting non-stop cabaret and music for dancing, seven nights a week! The ultimate stage struck couple, they were still entertaining at residential homes and community centres well into Manny’s 80s. They were both great supporters of the Club for Acts and Actors (CAA) and the Royal Variety Charity. Joy was a proud member of the Executive Committee of the Royal Variety Charity for nearly three decades and following Manny’s death, Joy was a tireless fundraiser for Brinsworth House particularly, still organising and compering fortnightly shows for the residents until very recently. Joy was charming, funny, talented and generous and it was always a pleasure to be in her company. May she Rest In Peace.
A TRIBUTE TO KENNETH EARLE 1930-2017 RIP
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enneth Earle, a beloved and loyal Executive Committee member of the Royal Variety Charity, sadly passed away on the 1st July 2017. Charles Kenneth Earle Richards was born on 1st February, 1930 in Liverpool. Born in to a theatrical family, he toured Britain with his juggler parents Percy Rich & Eva, until he was 9 years old, before attending boarding school at Dulwich College. He initially worked as an actor before becoming the comedy half of “Earle & Vaughan” - Kenneth Earle & Malcolm Vaughan. The double act achieved a high profile in the industry variety circuits over their eighteen years together, playing in all the major theatres and appearing in a number of TV series and pantomimes. In 1961, Kenny and Malcolm Vaughan became Members of the Grand Order of Water Rats. Kenny then turned his hand to theatrical representation, becoming an Agent and going on to look after a number of household names, whilst also writing, producing and directing a number of pantomimes as well as summer seasons in England and Jersey. He joined the famous agency “London Management” where he stayed for 10 years, after which he became the Account Holder for the Butlins circuit of Worlds and Hotels under the “Rank” banner, a position that he held for four years with great success, booking thousands of artists and many major stars, both English and American. In 1995 Kenny formed “Kenneth Earle Personal Management” during which time he also conceived, directed and co-produced the successful touring show “Spirit of the Dance” in 1996. Kenny joined the Executive Committee of the Royal Variety Charity, after nomination by his dear friend and fellow agent Laurie Mansfield, and served the charity for over 35 years, right up to his
death in July. Kenny had also become President of the Entertainment Agents Association in 1993 and after his two year tenure, he held the position of Honorary Member of the Agents Association. In 2012 Kenny was made a Fellow of the Agents Association. Kenny also held the position of Joint Secretary of the Variety & Light Entertainment Council and was Chairman of the Gainsborough Foundation as well as sitting on the Committee for the Theatres Advisory Council. When asked about the proudest moments of his long and successful career, Kenny would often recall times when Earle & Vaughan were at the height of their success, namely when asked to be the support act for the UK tour of Bill Hailey & the Comets, as well as regaling performances at grand venues like the Kilburn Empire and of course, The London Palladium. Kenny would speak of his love of making friends in Green Rooms across the country during those golden years of Variety. His wife Carol describes how Kenny would often reminisce about the close bonds formed between the other acts on those Variety bills of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s and how the performers would learn from each other, always honing their skills. Despite all the glitz and glam of his showbiz career, when asked about his most memorable days, Kenny would often say with pride that these were the days his children were born. Kenny is survived by his wife Carol and his children; Juliet, Simon and Tabatha. The Royal Variety Charity would like to thank Kenny and his family for the time, energy and service he gave to us for so many years. May he Rest In Peace.
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We are delighted to support The Royal Variety Performance 2017 and wish the occasion every success.
To find out more about our services, contact us on 020 7131 4000 or visit: smithandwilliamson.com
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Presented annually in aid of the
Royal Variety Charity Staged in the presence of
His Royal Highness, The Duke of Cambridge and
Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge
THE R O YA L V A R I E T Y PERFORMANCE
2 0 1 7 Executive Producers, Royal Variety Charity Laurie Mansfield, Giles Cooper & Phil Dale
Creative Director, ITV Studios, Lee Connolly Executive Producer, ITV Studios, Fiona Clark Series Producer, ITV Studios, Lawrie Jordan Director, ITV Studios, Simon Staffurth
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THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
ACT TWO YOUR HOST:
MIRANDA HART
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL – OVO BIG FISH JASON MANFORD ANNIE LEADING LADIES SEAL THE KILLERS BALL AND BOE FINALE
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ACT TWO
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CI R QU E D U S OLEIL – OVO
irque du Soleil has dazzled audiences with a unique combination of circus and theatre with stunning visionary designs since its formation in 1984. Now regarded as one of the world’s most iconic live spectacles, Cirque du Soleil has performed in over 450 cities, more than sixty countries and across six continents. Flying in specially for tonight’s show, Cirque du Soleil will perform a captivating sequence from their new production, which makes its UK debut at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2018. ‘OVO’ is a headlong rush into a colourful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love. ‘OVO’ is packed full of spectacular feats and awe inspiring moments which Cirque du Soleil is famed for. “OVO is really a story about inclusion, and discovering how we can all live together despite our differences. In our company we have Brits, Russians, French, Americans, Chinese, Ukrainians, and other nationalities all working together side by side and without the stain of politics or xenophobia. It is truly an honour to be here to present a part of this high level acrobatic show tonight at the Royal Variety Performance.” – Tim Bennett, Artistic Director.
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BIG FISH
mmy, Tony and Golden globe Award winner Kelsey Grammer is one of the most respected comic actors of his generation best-loved for his roles in ‘Cheers’ and ‘Frasier’. In 2010 he made a seamless transition into musical theatre, starring as the lead in ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ for his Broadway debut. He also originated the roles of Charles Frohman and Captain Hook in the Broadway premiere of ‘Finding Neverland’. In 2017 Kelsey made his London debut starring as Edward Bloom in the sensational new family musical ‘Big Fish’ written by Andrew Lippa and John August. ‘Big Fish The Musical’ is the story of a father who has told his son imaginative stories all about his life, tales that are filled with beauty and love. When confronted about what is truth and what is fiction, the pair embark on a life-affirming journey that soars and triumphs and leaves you holding on to your loved ones that little bit tighter. Adapted from the muchloved book and 2003 Tim Burton movie, ‘Big Fish’ opened this month and tonight they will premiere an exclusive performance of this new production.
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ACT TWO
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JAS ON M A N FORD
ason Manford began his career in 1999 when he stepped in to fill the gap of a missing performer whilst working at the Buzz Comedy Club. Six gigs later he was crowned The City Life North West Comedian of the Year. After winning several smaller awards, Jason won the 2006 Chortle Award for Best Breakthrough Act and has since performed at comedy clubs around the world. He has made numerous television appearances including ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’, ‘Comedy Rocks', ‘Channel 4’s Comedy Gala’, ‘Live at the Apollo’ and ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium.’ Jason is also known for his work in musical theatre, with productions such as ‘Sweeney Todd’, ‘The Producers’ and ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ under his belt. Furthering his passion for singing, Jason released his debut album, ‘A Different Stage’ earlier this year, which features songs from musicals. He is set to embark on his new ‘Muddle Class Tour’ in January 2018 which has multiple dates booked across the UK. “This is my third time performing at the Royal Variety Performance which I think means I get to keep the match ball! Absolutely thrilled to be invited again, for comedians it really is our FA Cup Final; it means the world.”
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ANNIE
ith its Tony Award winning book and score, ‘Annie’ the musical returned to the West End in June 2017 featuring unforgettable songs ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’ and ‘Tomorrow’. Based on the comic strip ‘Little Orphan Annie’ and set in 1930’s New York, during the Great Depression, the musical follows the journey of brave orphan Annie as her luck changes. The West End production opened in May this year with Miranda Hart playing Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage. Now under the watchful eye of Meera Syal as Hannigan, Annie is chosen to spend a magical Christmas with a famous billionaire. Ruby Stokes who stars as Annie is making her Royal Variety Performance debut alongside her fellow young cast members from this latest UK revival. Producers Michael Harrison and David Ian said “Annie has been loved worldwide for generations. 2017 marked 40 years since the production opened on Broadway and it has been our pleasure to bring Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin and the late Thomas Meehan’s work to a new generation of theatregoers here in the West End. Since we began we have worked with an exemplary Company including over 50 young performers, some of whom you will see tonight.”
ACT TWO
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L E A D I N G L A D IES
usical theatre legends Beverley Knight, Amber Riley and Cassidy Janson teamed up as the ‘Leading Ladies’ and released their stunning album ‘Songs From The Stage’ this month. Known individually for their incredible vocals, the album features the trio performing hit songs from musicals including ‘Cats’, ‘Hamilton’, ‘Rent’ and ‘We Will Rock You’. Three time MOBO winner, Beverley Knight, MBE has performed in multiple West End shows including ‘The Bodyguard’, ‘Memphis’ and ‘Cats’. Cassidy Janson is likewise used to performing on stage and is well known for her role as Elphaba in ‘Wicked’ and the lead in ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’. Amber Riley, who is best known for her role in Golden Globe Award-winning musical comedy ‘Glee’, starred as Effie in her Olivier Award winning performance in ‘Dreamgirls’ at The Savoy Theatre earlier this year. The musical supergroup join us tonight to sing ‘Somebody to Love’. “We are so honoured to have been invited to perform at this year's Royal Variety Performance. It is a proud British tradition and we look forward to sharing a fantastic evening with everyone.”
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SEAL
ith over 30 million records sold worldwide and a career spanning three decades, Seal is known for his international hits such as ‘Killer’, ‘Kiss From a Rose’ and ‘Crazy’. His debut album ‘Seal’ was certified double platinum in the UK and his other albums went on to achieve critical acclaim. He has won a plethora of awards throughout his career including three Brits and four Grammys. Seal has just released his latest album ‘Standards’, which boasts a series of timeless jazz classics including ‘Luck Be A Lady’, ‘I Put A Spell On You’ and ‘I've Got You Under My Skin’. His most recent tour will continue into 2018 with various venues booked across the UK. “It’s always a wonderful experience performing for a live audience. This time made ever the more so by the presence of our Royal Family. I can’t wait to share these magical songs during this very special evening. A memory I will no doubt cherish for a very long time.”
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ACT TWO
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
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THE KILLERS
he Killers formed in Las Vegas and released their debut album, 'Hot Fuss’, in 2004 to global acclaim and success. The album contained the anthemic hit singles 'Mr. Brightside' and ‘Somebody Told Me’ and launched a stellar career that has seen the group go on to sell over 25 million albums and garner countless accolades for their artistic achievement, including multiple Grammy nominations, MTV Video Music Awards, Brit Awards and NME Awards. The band has recently released their new studio album, 'Wonderful Wonderful’, which has scored them a record-breaking fifth consecutive UK Number 1, also topping the charts in the U.S and around the world. The Killers have previously headlined Glastonbury and sold out Wembley Stadium, and they join us tonight as they begin their world tour. The band’s Brandon Flowers in fact returns for a second Royal Variety Performance, having previously appeared solo at the 2015 show.
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BALL AND BOE
wo of musical theatre’s biggest names, Michael Ball, OBE and Alfie Boe joined forces last year for a debut album. ‘Together’ became 2016’s biggest selling UK album, as well as the Christmas Number One. ‘Together Again’ was released in October 2017 and the duo are currently on their nationwide sell out arena tour. Individually, they have amassed a wealth of awards. Michael made his West End debut in 1985 playing Marius in ‘Les Misérables’. He has since starred in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Sweeney Todd’. Alfie’s exceptional voice has made him Britain’s biggest-selling tenor. The Tony Award winner has led the cast of ‘Les Misérables’ and stole the show at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert. Alfie recently performed in ‘Classic Quadrophenia’ for a series of sold out shows across the USA. “It has been a wonderful year, teaming up and sharing a great adventure. The Royal Variety Show is something we grew up watching and it is always such a thrill to be asked to perform. To be back there together is the icing on the cake.”
FINALE & O N - STAG E R OYA L L I N E - UP The Finale will include all the acts from the evening’s show and will be followed by the post show Royal Line-Up.
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Their Royal Highnesses 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.
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The audience must please remain seated as each artist is thanked in turn for their participation.
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The artists will be introduced to the Royal party by:
Fiona Clark, ITV Studios Lawrie Jordan, ITV Studios Laurie Mansfield, Life-President Giles Cooper, Chairman
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After all the acts have been introduced to the Royal Party on stage, the audience must please remain seated until Their Royal Highnesses have left the building and security clearance received for audience departure; which will be advised over the public address system.
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Thank you for your support tonight and we very much hope that you enjoyed the evening.
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ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
58 Wardour Street | London | W1D 4JQ T: 020 7534 3333 | www.sohoestates.co.uk
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GILES COOPER ENTERTAINMENT LTD presents
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E
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SUN 15 JULY 2018 w i t h o rc h e st ra a n d f i rewo r k s f i n a l e PLUS MORE SUMMER HEADLINE SHOWS TO BE ANNOUNCED THROUGHOUT DECEMBER
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THE LONDON PALLADIUM
T
he London Palladium, designed by Frank Matcham, opened on Boxing Day 1910 with a variety bill including Ella Shields of “Burlington Bertie” fame, Nellie Wallace, Gracie Fields and classical actor Martin Harvey. The site had previously been occupied by the Corinthian Bazaar, Hengler’s Circus and the National Skating Palace, so had long been recognised as a place of entertainment. Originally built as a luxurious Music Hall, in subsequent years the Palladium became famous as the “Ace Variety Theatre of the World” and was a venue to which all performers aspired.
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For many years the building was home to the Crazy Gang with successive sell-out shows featuring Flanagan and Allen and their madcap comrades.
As a result, and with an eye to boosting record sales, legendary acts including Mario Lanza, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones appeared on the Palladium stage.
Among the greats that have played here in variety seasons, charity galas or pantomimes are Bob Hope, Judy Garland, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Sophie Tucker, Ethel Merman, Howard Keel, Arthur Askey, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Tommy Steele, Julie Andrews, Ken Dodd, the Two Ronnies and Cliff Richard. With the advent of television the weekly broadcasts of Sunday Night at the London Palladium became an institution and, with hosts including Tommy Trinder and Bruce Forsyth, made the venue even more famous.
Keeping the legend alive the Palladium has played host in recent years to Elton John, Robbie Williams, Neil Diamond, Brian Ferry, Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson, Bon Jovi and Cold Play. Regular Television broadcasts have also returned with ITV’s Tonight at the London Palladium hosted by Bradley Walsh with stars including Art Garfunkel, Bryan Adams, Adele, Billy Ocean, Gregory Porter and Simply Red. After nearly thirty years, pantomime returned to the Palladium in 2016 with a record breaking run of
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
Cinderella starring Julian Clary and Paul O’Grady. Clary again heads the cast this year in Dick Whittington opposite Elaine Paige. In 1979 Yul Brynner arrived in a spectacular production of The King and I which heralded further musicals in recent years including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver!, Saturday Night Fever, The King and I starring Elaine Paige, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Tommy Steele in Scrooge, Sinatra at the Palladium, The Sound of Music, Sister Act, The Wizard of Oz, a revival of A Chorus Line, Barry Humphries’ Farewell Tour and I Can’t Sing.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats returned to the West End stage for two fun-filled Christmas seasons in 2014 and 2015 and Summer 2016 saw a new musical version of the Wind in the Willows starring Rufus Hound. Also this year concert performances have included 10CC, Chris de Burgh, Daniel O’Donnell, Elkie Brooks, Suzanne Vega, Beverley Knight, Aimee Mann and Bob Dylan. Tickets for 2017 appearances by Seal, Randy Newman, Alexander O’Neal, Gary Barlow, Ross Noble, Morrissey and John Bishop among many others are all on sale now. Earlier this year we hosted some of the Britain’s Got talent auditions and are very pleased to be hosting the Royal Variety Performance once again.
Tonight is the 40th Royal Variety Performance to grace the Palladium stage and we all look forward to many more. Mark Fox November 2017
@thelondonpalladium @palladiumlondon www.London-Palladium.co.uk www.reallyusefultheatres.co.uk
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Opening 2018
thehospitalclub.com/la
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ITV STUDIOS ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT ITV Studios Entertainment Department is proud to produce The Royal Variety Performance 2017, and continue ITV’s long association with this prestigious event. The Entertainment Department produces around 930 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 COUNTDOWN D RESS TO IMPRESS EMERGENCY ROOM HMQ90 I'M A CELEBRITY... GET ME OUT OF HERE! JUDGE RINDER LOVE ISLAND THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS THE JEREMY KYLE SHOW THE OLIVIER AWARDS T HE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! THE VOICE THE VOICE KIDS TONIGHT AT THE PALLADIUM TOP CLASS (FOR CBBC) UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE YES CHEF (FOR BBC1) YOU'VE BEEN FRAMED THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE WILL TRANSMIT ON ITV IN EARLY DECEMBER.
LEE CONNOLLY Executive Producer FIONA CLARK Executive Producer SIMON STAFFURTH Director MARK WAGMAN Talent Executive LAWRIE JORDAN Series Producer JOE TURNER Assistant Producer KIRSTY PROFFITT Researcher AMANDA GEORGE Line Producer PETER BINGEMANN Production Designer DAVID ARCH Musical Director DAVE DAVEY Lighting Director KEVIN DUFF Sound Supervisor CHRIS BALDOCK & NICK WINSTON Stage Directors LINDA MARTIN Costume Designer NICHOLA BELLAMY & KENNETH SOH Make-Up Supervisors JEREMY TURNER OB Unit Manager PAUL FREEMAN Camera Supervisor
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ITV PRODUCTION FIONA CLARK
LEE CONNOLLY
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’, 'An Audience With Michael Buble', ‘Michael Bublé Home For Christmas’, ‘The British Soap Awards’, ‘The Olivier Awards’, ‘The One and Only Cilla Black’, ‘Gary Barlow Journey to Afghanistan’, ‘Tonight at the London Palladium’, the BAFTA award-winning 'The Sound of Music Live' and the upcoming 'All Star Musicals'. Fiona is thrilled to once again be working on The Royal Variety Performance.
As one of ITV Studios Creative Directors, Lee has overseen the last eight Royal Variety Performances. Starting in 2009 in Blackpool, and including the 100th Anniversary of the show at the Royal Albert Hall in 2012, it has always been his great pleasure to help create the show for the Royal Variety Charity. Lee has also overseen a number of other Royal events including the Queen's Jubilee Pageant in 2012 and Her Majesty the Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration from Royal Windsor. This year The Royal Variety Performance is coming from the London Palladium for the 40th time in its history and as he is Executive Producer of ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’, it makes this year's show extra special for Lee. There's no stage or theatre quite like the London Palladium.
LAWRIE JORDAN
SIMON STAFFURTH
Lawrie graduated from Liverpool's John Moores University in 2000 and had the fortune of starting his career within LWT's Entertainment department. He started out on shows such as ‘An Audience With Ricky Martin’ and ‘The Record of the Year’ before going on to work on shows including ‘The Royal Variety Performance 2001’, ‘Graham Norton’ and ‘All Star Mr and Mrs’. Shows he has produced include ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: Live’, ‘The British Soap Awards’, ‘Dance, Dance, Dance’ and the BAFTA nominated ‘Adele’ at the BBC. Lawrie is delighted to be joining the enormously talented team to make this year's programme.
Simon is an award-winning International Television Director of Entertainment and Event shows. He directed the ‘Opening Ceremony of the Rio Olympics’ in 2016 with truly stunning visuals. Next year he will direct the ‘Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics’ in Korea. He has worked with a huge number of the biggest names in show business and directed acclaimed shows including: ‘Elton John at the Royal Opera House’, ‘The Kylie Show’, ‘Trooping the Colour’, ‘Take That Come to Town’ and ‘Adele at the BBC’. Simon relishes the challenges of different styles of programmes, from ‘Top Gear’ to ‘TFI Friday’; ‘Take Me Out’ to ‘Text Santa’; his wealth of experience ensures that the productions are of the highest quality. He is delighted to be directing his third Royal Variety Performance.
AMANDA GEORGE
ASIF ZUBAIRY
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 eighth Royal Variety Performance.
Asif Zubairy is Commissioning Editor, Entertainment for ITV. In over 30 years working in television, he's been Head of Entertainment at the Nine Network Australia, Director of Original Programming Walt Disney Branded Television and Director of Programmes for the Paramount Comedy Channel. Originally a producer/director, he's worked across all programming genres for all the UK's major broadcasters.
JOE TURNER
KIRSTY PROFFITT
Joe graduated from Elmhurst School of Dance in 2005. He began his career working as a dancer for the Walt Disney Company before embarking on a television career in 2010. Since then, he has worked on a variety of popular entertainment shows with credits including, ‘The British Soap Awards’, ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here Now!’, ‘Diversity: Live’, ‘The One and Only Cilla Black’, ‘Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two’, ‘Let’s Sing And Dance For Comic Relief’, and ‘Tonight at the London Palladium’. Joe is honoured to be working on his first Royal Variety Performance.
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 on a variety of high profile entertainment programmes including four series of ‘Tonight at the London Palladium’, ‘Hunted’, ‘BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey’, ‘The Sound of Music Live’ and ‘All Star Musicals’. Kirsty is thrilled to be returning to work on her third Royal Variety Performance, having loved working on show in 2015 and 2016.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
SERIES PRODUCER
LINE PRODUCER
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
DIRECTOR
COMMISSIONING EDITOR OF ENTERTAINMENT
RESEARCHER
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
MARK WAGMAN
DAVID ARCH
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 continues to consult across a wide range of programmes for ITV including 'We Are Most Amused', 'The Diamond Jubilee Pageant’, 'Tonight at the Palladium’, music specials including 'Ball & Boe Back Together', 'Sheridan' and part of the BAFTA winning team behind ‘Her Majesty The Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration’ last year. This will be Mark's tenth Royal Variety Performance.
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, Jess Glynne and Paul McCartney – with whom he has also worked with live. David has contributed to over two hundred feature films including five films from the ‘Harry Potter’ series, ‘Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’, ’The Imitation Game’, ‘Gravity’, ’The Grand Budapest Hotel’ and ‘Goldeneye’ and was the featured piano soloist in ‘The King’s Speech’. He is honoured to be musical director for this, his seventh Royal Variety Performance.
PETER BINGEMANN
DAVE DAVEY
Peter Bingemann has been the Production Designer 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 ‘Bublé at The BBC’, ‘The VE Day 70 Concert’, ‘Let’s Sing & Dance for Comic Relief’, ‘The Nobel Peace Prize Concert’ in Oslo, ‘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 and ‘The Laureus Sports Awards’ in Lisbon. Peter is proud to be taking part in his tenth Royal Variety Performance.
Dave began his lighting career at the BBC on ‘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’, ‘Tonight at the London Palladium’, ‘Britain's Got Talent’, ‘Children in Need Rocks’, 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 fifth year on the Royal Variety Performance and he is thrilled to be taking part once again.
KEVIN DUFF
LINDA MARTIN
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 a second BAFTA in 2016 for ‘The Festival Of Remembrance’. Kev is delighted to once again be looking after the audio aspects of The Royal Variety Performance for ITV.
Linda graduated in Art and Fashion Design and began her career as a designer working for Couture Fashion Houses in Paris before moving into television and theatre. Her design credits for a host of entertainment specials include ‘Oh What a Night’, ‘Sun City’, Disney’s ‘Cirque du Monde’, ‘Sound of Musicals’, ‘Show Stoppers’, ‘The Entertainers’, ‘Children In Need’, ‘Shirley Bassey Show’, ‘Motown Mania’, ‘Audience with Lulu’, ‘Princes Trust Gala’, Bradley Walsh’s ‘A Christmas Cracker’, ‘Thursford Christmas Spectacular’, ‘Celebration of 50 years of Andrew Lloyd Webber’, ‘Bruce’s Hall of Fame’, ‘Tonight at the Palladium’ and ‘Ball and Boe’. She is looking forward to her eleventh Royal Variety Performance.
TALENT EXECUTIVE
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
SOUND SUPERVISOR
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
LIGHTING DESIGNER
COSTUME DESIGNER
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“IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE AND GREAT PLEASURE TO
HAINES & HALL
BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY
(UK) LTD
AND ONCE AGAIN TO BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THIS
UK’S LEADING ROOFING & CLADDING SPECIALISTS
YEAR’S ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE”
L O RD M ATTH E W A. HAINES THE UK’S LEADING SINGLE P LY, R U B B E R F L AT R O O F I N G SPECIALISTS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY. WISHING THEM FURTHER SUPPORT AND EVERY SUCCESS FOR THIS EVENING!
C A R DI F F - L O N DO N - KEN T
DO M ES TI C - C O M M ER C I A L - IND U STRIAL
UNIT 8, SHAKESPEARE COURT, ROATH, CARDIFF CF24 3ER TEL: 02920 455455 FAX: 02920 454454
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THE
GRAND ORDER OF LADY RATLINGS ANNA GOLDEN - QUEEN RATLING 2017 and the Grand Order of Lady Ratlings are delighted to support the...
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
2017
FOR DETAILS OF GOLR EVENTS PLE ASE CON TAC T T HE S ECRETARY ON: 07968 279 847 or gol rsc ribe@gmail.com FOUNDED 1929
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HRH PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH, K.G., K.T. HRH PRINCE OF WALES K.G., K.T., G.C.B. HRH PRINCE MICHAEL OF KENT G.C.V.O. LORD FREDERICK WINDSOR.
WISH THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY A VERY SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY EVENING!
KING RAT IAN RICHARDS
& A L L M E M B E R S O F T H E G R A N D O R D E R O F WAT E R R ATS. . .
MEMBERSHIP 2017 Tom Anderson, Barry Balmayne, Steve Barclay, Tony Barton, Mike Batt, David Berglas, Bob ‘The Cat’ Bevan MBE, Michael Black, Lionel Blair, Stan Boardman, John Bouchier, John Boulter, Dave Brock LLB (Hons), Adger Brown, Duggie Brown, Joe Brown MBE, Frank Bruno MBE, Bryan Burdon, Anthony Bygraves, Wyn Calvin MBE OStJ, Kenny Cantor, David Capri, Johnnie Casson, Tony Christie, Bernie Clifton, Con Cluskey, Dec Cluskey, Graham Cole OBE, David Colquhoun, Jess Conrad OBE, Michael Crawford CBE, Neil Crossland, Barry Cryer OBE, Toni Dalli, Martin Daniels, Bill Dare, Kevin Dean, Thomas J Dean, Roger De Courcey, Sid Dennis, Terry Devine, Raphael Djanogly OBE, JP, MA, Ken Dodd OBE, Peter Donegan, Craig Douglas, Robert Earl, Robert Earl Jnr, Andy Eastwood Chris Emmett, Steve Etherington, Udo Fontaine, Steve Galler, Paul Ganjou, Richard Gauntlett, Gordon Giltrap, Frank Ginnett, Rusty Goffe, Peter Goodwright, Sir Donald Gosling KCVO KT, Cliff Hall, Tony Hatch, Melvyn Hayes, Vincent Hayes MBE, Tim Healy, Steve Hewlett, Vince Hill, Frazer Hines, Mike Hope, Nigel Hopkins, Roy Hudd OBE, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Innes, Ian Irving, Paul James, Pete James, Ken Joy, Richard Joy, Kaplan Kaye, Albie Keen, Gerard Kenny, Ross King, Simon King, Ian Lavender, Johnny Laycock, David Lee, John Lodge, Gary Lovini, Johnny Mans, Terry Marshall, Derek Martin, Mike Martin, Ray Martin, John R. Maxim ALCM, Brian May CBE, Nicko McBrain, Chas McDevitt, Steve McFadden, John McKenzie, Ray McVay, Brian Meaden, Neil Morrissey, Billy Murray, Pete Murray OBE, Dave Myers, Gary Newbon, Charlie Noble, Duncan Norvelle, Tom O’Connor, John O’Neill, Kev Orkian, Nicholas Parsons CBE LLD, Joe Pasquale, Billy Pearce, Tom Plummer, Peter Polycarpou, Mark Porter, Bob Potter OBE, Leslie Randall, John Ratcliff CBE, Mike Redway, Ronald Regan, Ian Richards, Bobby Roberts, Bobby Roberts, Jnr., Andrew Robley, Sean ‘Rollo’ Rollason, George Saunders, Don Shearman, Robert Sherman, Alan Simmons, Ben Simmons BA (Hon), Keith Simmons, Ronnie Smart, Colin Spaull, Paul Squire, Jerry Stevens, Jeff Stevenson, Clive Stock, John Stokes, John Styles, MBE, Jimmy Tarbuck OBE, Rhys Thomas, John Thurston MB, FRCP, FRCEM, FIFEM, Ian Tough, Andrew Van Buren, André Vincent, Rick Wakeman FRCM, Prof (Hon) LCM, Adam Wakeman, Roy Walker, Adrian Walsh, Bryn Williams BEM, Roy Wood Hon D Mus, Chris Woodward, Rod Woodward, Mike Yarwood OBE
CONTACT: The Administrator, GOWR. 328 Gray’s Inn Road , London, WC1X 8BZ Tel: 020 7278 3248, E-mail: info@gowr.net, Web Site: www.gowr.net
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“Music enhances all of our lives. Let’s not forget that it’s created by real people who sometimes need our help.” We support songwriters, composers and their dependents in times of need. If you’re a PRS member who needs support - be it financially, physically or emotionally - or you know someone who is - then there are a number of ways in which we can help. Call to find out more.
Members Benevolent Fund
Helping The Heart of Music is a trading name for the PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund. Charity No. 208671 Address: PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund 2 Pancras Square, London, N1C 4AG General Secretary: John Logan Email: john.logan@prsformusic.com Tel: 0203 741 4067 Website: www.prsformusicfund.com Facebook.com/prsfund
Twitter.com/prsfund
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A BIG THANK YOU TO...
THE TILLER GIRLS
F O R T H E I R S U P P O R T O F T H E R O YA L VA R I E T Y C H A R I T Y A N D F O R T H E I R H E L P AT T H I S E V E N I N G ’ S R O YA L VA R I E T Y P E R F O R M A N C E
ASSISTING TONIGHT WILL BE; JOY CASTLE, SHIRLEY CAUGHT, KATH DARRAGH, LYN FORD-THOMPSON, SUE FORSTER, PAMELA HARCOURT ROSALIE KIRKMAN, RITA MC BEATH, ROSEMARIE RUSSELL, HAZEL STUART, ROSEMARY TROWEL, JUNE VINCENT IAN CASTLE, DAVID CAUGHT, GARY CAUGHT, GUY FOLLETT, TIM FOLLETT, IAN FORSTER, MARK FOX, DAVID LEACH CHRISTOPHER TAGG, TONY TROWELL, BRUCE VINCENT, SCOTT VINCENT, ROMARIO FALDES
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The Shanly Group
is pleased to once again support the Royal Variety performance The Shanly Group is a well-established property company specialising in residential development and commercial property development and investment. With offices in Buckinghamshire and Surrey, the Group has a commitment to product excellence and innovative architectural design.
01494 671331 shanlygroup.com ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017 | 87
C.A.A. INCORPORATING THE CONCERT ARTISTES’ ASSOCIATION
ANITA DOBSON (PRESIDENT), KAY CARMAN (CHAIRMAN) AND THE COMMITTEE & CLUB MEMBERS WISH YOU A SPARKLING ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE AND HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AND MEMORABLE EVENING.
THE COMEDIANS GOLFING SOCIETY Chairman Miki Travis Captain Jester 2017 Steve Ward and all the members of the Comedians Golfing Society are proud to support this evening’s performance & would like to wish all those involved in tonight’s show every success.
HAVE A FANTASTIC NIGHT! If you would like to find out more about the CGS or even play a round with us check out our website: w w w . c o m e d i a n s g o l f i n g s o c i e t y. c o . u k
THE CLUB FOR ACTS AND ACTORS C.A.A. 20 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HP T: 02078 363172 E: office@thecaa.org
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CHELSEA LODGE Chelsea Lodge wishes the Royal Variety Charity and all those associated with this year’s Royal Variety Performance a very successful and enjoyable evening.
TCUK offers pastoral and spiritual support to those of all faiths and none, who are engaged in the performing arts. Through the work of its chaplains TCUK seeks to bring together faith and theatre for the enrichment of both.
We wish you every blessing for tonight’s Royal Variety Performance.
Chelsea Lodge is a Freemasons Lodge with over 100 years of history associated with show business - its members are derived exclusively from the entertainment industry. F o r m ore i nf or m a ti o n o n j o i ni ng , p l e a s e v i s i t: www. c h el s e a - l o d g e. o r g . u k
www.theatrechaplaincyuk.com
@theatrechaplain
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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, The Club for Acts and Actors (CAA), Grand Order of Lady Ratlings, Really Useful Group, Qdos Entertainment, Laurie Mansfield Associates, Kennedy Street, Grand Order of Water Rats, Shanly Homes, Delfont Foundation, Taittinger UK, Chelsea Lodge, Smith & Williamson Handshake Ltd, The Comedian’s Golfing Society, The Hospital Club, Soho Estates Ltd, Media Insurance Brokers, The Grade Linnit Company, Giles Cooper Entertainment Ltd, Actor’s Benevolent Fund, KUONI, Theatre Chaplaincy UK
AGENTS / MANAGEMENT / PR
Michael Linnit, Michael Grade – Grade Linnit Company, David Bloom – Target Live, Gaby Cooke – Circus Abyssinia, Damien Christian, Holly Marshall, Deirdre Moran – Atlantic Records, Danny Julian, Flo Howard – Off The Kerb, Jacqui Quaife – Jacqui Quaife PR, Laurence Boakes, Tyler Brown – Syco, Martin Hall – Hall Or Nothing, Lee Martin – Gag Reflex, Sarah Adams, Thom Brunner – Sassy Media, Neil Hughes – RCA (Sony), Simon Raw – Raw PR, Richard Darbourne – Richard Darbourne LTD, Becky Williams – LD Communications, Tim Bennett, Nicolas Chabot, Adam Blair – Cirque Du Soleil, Dan Chalmers – East West Records, Lisa Thomas, Emily Gay – Lisa Thomas Management, Derren Litten, Simon Bird – Tiger Aspect, Vivienne Clore – Vivienne Clore, Zoe Bone – United Agents, Kevin Francis – Angel & Francis, Lisa Fleming – David Ian Productions, Janine Shalon – Public Eye, Rebecca Allen, Molly Ladbrook-Hutt, Nirvana Chelvachandran, Eleanor Thomson – Decca, Bruno Morelli, Helena McGeough - Virgin EMI (Universal)
MARKETING / PHOTOGRAPHY / CREATIVE / SECURITY / EXTERNAL SUPPLIERS
Soho Media Group - Tom Ryan, Luke Wright, Keith Watkins, Joanna Horrigan, James Usill, Sarah McCrum, Arena TV, PRG, Creative Technology, Quantum Special Effects, Potion Pictures, Gee FX, Zen Broadcast, Plus 4 Audio, Steel Monkey, DLM, The London Metropolitan Police, The Royal Protection Team, Stage Miracles, Pace Prestige Services, John Henry’s, The Farm Group, Strong Flavours, Westminster City Council, Royal Variety Charity Photographer - Andy Newbold, ITV Photographer - Matt Frost, Flowers: Bobby Warans & Helen Byrne, Miranda Hart’s Headshot © Alisa Connan, Circus Abyssinia Photo © Matilda Temperley, Tom Allen’s Headshot © Aemen Sukkar, Production Headshots: Oscar Blustin & Matthew Kaltenborn, Crown Group Catering, Secprint, Andy Reed, Joe Sandford-Hughes and James Gouge at M5 Audio, Steve Kirkham and Kevin Kirkham at the Complete Print Group (CPG)
TILLER GIRLS AND THEIR HELPERS
Shirley Caught, Kath Darragh, Lyn Ford-Thompson, Sue Forster, Pamela Harcourt, Rosalie Kirkman, Rita McBeath, Rosemarie Russell, Hazel Stuart, Rosemary Trowel, June Vincent, David Caught, Gary Caught, Guy Follett, Tim Follett, Ian Forster, Mark Fox, David Leach, Christopher Tagg, Tony Trowell, Bruce Vincent, Scott Vincent, Romario Faldes
VENUES AND SPONSORS
Rupert Bielby, Laura Underwood, Jessica Nowell, Nigel Ward and all the staff at the London Palladium, Stephanie Harrow, Emily Daglish, Melieke Klok, Simran Ojalae Laurence Jarvis and all the staff at Grosvenor House, A special thanks to our Aftershow Party sponsors, KUONI, especially Brian Woodhouse
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THANK YOU
ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2017
ITV STUDIOS
Creative Director – Lee Connolly, Executive Producer – Fiona Clark, Director – Simon Staffurth, Head of Production – Sue Dunford, Line Producer – Amanda George, Talent Executive – Mark Wagman, Series Producer – Lawrie Jordan, Assistant Producer – Joe Turner, Researcher – Kirsty Proffitt, Production Designer – Peter Bingemann, Lighting Director – Dave Davey, Script Supervisor – Katie Collins, Production Coordinators – Keshia Agnew, Emma MacFarlane and Sarah-Jane Kempt, Production Runner – Rhiannon Lewis, Costume Designer – Linda Martin, Make-up Supervisors – Nichola Bellamy and Kenneth Soh, Host Stylist – Arabella Boyce, Host Hair – Lara Zee, Production Buyer – Bobby Warans, Camera Supervisor – Paul Freeman, Sound Supervisors – Kevin Duff and Andy Wernham, Vision Mixer – Naomi Neufeld, Video Editors – Mark Wybourn and Mark Goodwin, Senior Floor Manager – Marc Baker, Technical Stage Director – Simon Bourne, Stage Managers – Caroline Caley and Sarah Whiting Gray, Assistant Stage Manager – Liza Morris Whiting, Production Accountant – Donna Ferris, Stage Directors – Chris Baldock and Nick Winston, Musical Director – David Arch, The Royal Variety Orchestra and ITV Music Team
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, Pat Church, Dee-Dee Crosher, Paul Ganjou, Cheryl Garland, Valerie Garland, Fawn James, Keith Lascelles, John Logan, Vicki Michelle MBE, George Muranyi, Gordon Peters, Babs Powell, Robert Powell, Rev. Canon Roger Royle, Nilesh Ruparel, Keith Simmons, Ronald Smart, Bradley Walsh, Dowager Lady Westbury CBE. JP, Vice-Presidents (honorary title): Jim Davidson OBE, Roger De Courcey, Ken Dodd OBE, Robert Earle Jnr, Roy Hudd OBE, Peter Jay, Stuart Littlewood, Joe Pasquale, Ronald Smart, Nick Thomas, Life Governor (honorary titles): Lord Michael Grade CBE, The Dowager Lady Westbury CBE. JP, Cdre. Sir Donald Gosling KCVO. RNR, Hon. Chaplain (honorary title): Rev. Canon Roger Royle, Management employed by the Royal Variety Charity: Finance Director – Sital Makwana, Matron of Brinsworth House – Tatree Preece RN, ONC, BA (HONS) MA, Care Home Administration Manager – Nily Ron-McGrath, Operations Manager – Peter Hinton, Grants Officer – Sheila Powell, Clinical Lead - Suhasini Raja, Senior Nurse – Muriel de Silva, Events Co-Ordinator – Lorraine Crowther, Events Assistant – Victoria Fitzgerald, Office Manager – Kirsty Bristow, Finance Officer – Myra Harte, Catering Manager – Henry Sheerin, Activities Co-Ordinator – Jayshree Crank, Maintenance Manager – Joe Williams, Brinsworth House Staff: Sue Amory, Mo Atia, Dorothy Atkins, Pedro Baretto, Gemma Bishop, Jessica Byrne, Coral Campbell, Emilinda Canlas, Sarah Colvin, Jill Curley, June Curtis, Aldorna Christian, Dudi Dollani, Yaa Donkor, Ecaterina Duda, Maureen Fois, Anita Gasu, Mmabo Gaefitlhe, Kate Geoffrey, Annie George, Dawn Good, Allena Gurung, Teressa Gowland, Hawa Hashim Mohammed, Margaret Healy, Anita Horvath, Kam Hussain, Kathleen Howden, Golda John, Remelda James, Stuart Jones, Emese Juhasz, Sheila Forde, Mark Lester, Ariel Madronio, Geena Martin, Millie McLeod, Monica Mellaru, Luisa Moreno, Rachel Preston, Patricia Smith, Irmelda Toy, Deepti Uniyal, Kelly Ward, Lena West, Gisella White, Ray Warren
BROCHURE
Creative direction & design by Soho Media Group Printing of brochure and jacket by Complete Print Group This brochure is printed on ‘Heaven 42’ & ‘Advocate Smooth Xtreme White’ and certified in accordance with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Copyright © Royal Variety Charity 2017. 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, The Royal Variety Show and the Royal Variety Charity are Registered Trademarks throughout the world, owned by the Royal Variety Charity.
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ON BEHALF OF THE ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY LAURIE MANSFIELD & GILES COOPER WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD IN PRODUCING THIS EVENING’S OFFICIAL R O YA L VA R I E T Y A F T E R S H O W P A R T Y & B A N Q U E T ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY LORRAINE CROWTHER Event Co-ordinator, KIRSTY BRISTOW Event Support, PETER HINTON Event Support, VICTORIA BOND Event Assistant, GROSVENOR HOUSE PARK LANE STEPHANIE HARROW Event Manager, EMILY DAGLISH Events Executive, TOASTMASTER DAVID COLLINS, GUEST SPEAKERS ROBERT POWELL, VICKI MICHELLE MBE, VCS MANAGEMENT LTD VICKY CORLEY-SMITH VIC & STEPH VICTORIA LYON, STEPHANIE BENEDETTI, ADAM WILLIAMS, PAUL MARTIN MAGIC PAUL MARTIN, LEE HATHAWAY, MIKE SULLIVAN, MICHAEL PEARCE, MANDY DAVIS, JAMES WILSON, JAMES PRITCHARD, DARREN DELANEY, FAY PRESTO, JAMIE DOCHERTY, IPOP SUZANNE ASTON, MARINA BERRY, RYAN ASTON, CHRIS WRIGHT, PABLO ROBERTS, TODD LITTLEWOOD, THE VEGAS SHOW GIRLS EMMAJANE TYLER Director, ALISON WHITWORTH, ALICE TIPPLE-PETERS, AMY CAREY, AMY TAYLOR, GEMMA BRADY, JADE PARKER, LAURA ESPIE, LAURA HAYES, KUONI BRIAN WOODHOUSE Marketing Manager, M5 AUDIO ANDY REED Managing Director, JOE SANDFORD-HUGHES Technical Director, JAMES GOUGE Technical Director, PHOTOGRAPHY ANDY NEWBOLD SOHO MEDIA GROUP TOM RYAN, LUKE WRIGHT, JAMES USILL W W W. R OYA LVA R I E T YC H A R I T Y.O R G
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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 Lee Connolly, Fiona Clark, Lawrie Jordan, Simon Staffurth, Asif Zubairy & Amanda George from ITV Studios and of course, to all the staff at the London Palladium Theatre. brochure creative direction & design by soho media group
Patron Her Majesty The Queen Founded 1908, Registered Charity No. 206451 Life-President Laurie Mansfield, Chairman Giles Cooper www.royalvarietycharity.org