Yes the Animal Farm musical that has been much mooted was just this past minute been announced by Elton John on the One Show as his next big project. Sir Elton John will be working with his co writer from Billy Elliott.
More details to follow?
Monday 4 June 2012
Sunday 3 June 2012
Jubilee Jubilation... Variety from the past 30 years
This weekend HRH Queen Elizabeth the II celebrates her 60th year on the throne. As an ardent Monarchist, in its constitutional monarchy form, I have been loving the celebrations and have been enjoying todays pageant. So in deference to Her Royal Highness I have compilated, from youtube (I do not own the copyright to any of these videos), a list of some of my favourite Royal Variety performances which Good Queen Liz herself attended.
First things first, who can deny a place to Sir Cliff Richard who is one of the Queen's favourite entertainers and still a popular icon of British Rock N Roll and Pop music. This is from the 1973 edition held at the London Palladium.
(Cliff Richard the Peter Pan of Pop and yes... a personal hero)
Next we have a super successful revival of a musical from 1979. Starring Yul Brynner in what became his career defining role it was of course 'The King and I'. This Royal Variety came from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
(Yul Brynner and Virginia McKenna)
Another pop star now, this time from 1981. Without a doubt Adam Ant is one of the most theatrical music acts of all time, his image and stage show is so dramatic that it almost beggars belief. Here he is in 1981 with his Ants performing 'Ant Music'.
Now for something completely different... from 1983 and the Royal Variety held at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane its the Alan Harding Dancers.
Moving into the 1990s we have Dame Vera Lynn, in 1990, celebrating the British Blitz Spirit singing her Wartime hits.
In 1993 The Bee Gees performed with their 60s hit Massachusetts
Matthew Bournes Swan Lake had performances shown in 1997 despite what youtube says
This infamous clip is just brilliant from 2001
Thoroughly Modern Millie from 2003's edition.
Shirley Bassey in 2005 showing why she is a Dame
And the last time HRH attended was in 2009 when Diversity showed the world how far British street jazz had come... so here is their fantastic performance once more
60 years had brought a lot of changes in the arts but Her Majesty has been a patron of them and continues to support theatre, dance and music today. Enjoy the Jubilee celebrations this weekend...
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