THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE...100TH ANNIVERSARY

 

 

The Royal Variety Performance 2012...Ashleigh and Pudsey steal the show

The first performance, on 1 July 1912 was called the Royal Command Performance, and this name has persisted informally for the event. This was held in the Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, in the presence of King George V and Queen Mary. After correspondence with Sir Edward Moss the King said he would command a Royal Variety show in his Coronation Year 1911, provided the profits went to the Variety Artistes' Benevolent Fund, as the EABF was then known. It was planned to be in the Empire Theatre, Edinburgh, part of the vast Moss Empires group, but the building went on fire a month before the show. After the death of Sir Edward Moss, Alfred Butt was chosen as the impresario and it was staged in 1912.[2] This was a lavish occasion, and his London Palace theatre was lavishly decorated, complete with some 3 million rose petals.

Girls Aloud meet the Queen

Top performers included Vesta Tilley, George Robey, David Devant, Anna Pavlova (ballerina), Harry Lauder and Cecilia Loftus. The organisers did not invite Marie Lloyd, because of a professional dispute. Her act was deemed too risqué and her three public, unsuccessful marriages made her unfit to perform in front of royalty. She held a rival performance in a nearby theatre, which she advertised was "by command of the British public". The name of the event was changed to prevent possible royal embarrassment. The Royal Variety became an annual event at the suggestion of King George V from 1921 and the British Broadcasting Corporation began to broadcast it on radio.

From 1960 to 1975, ITV broadcast a recorded version of the show, switching to live broadcasts in 1976. From 1986 until 2010, production and broadcast of the show alternated each year between the BBC and ITV, with the BBC usually staging the show in a West End theatre, and ITV in regional theatres outside London. From 2011, ITV have exclusive rights to televise the show.[1] The show has been frequently staged in the London Palladium theatre, and in the 1950s and 1960s a television show based on the same idea, called Sunday Night at the London Palladium and hosted by many entertainers, including Bruce Forsyth, ran for over 20 years.

Almost every conceivable sort of act has at one time or another been presented to the monarch at the Royal Command Performance, including The Beatles in 1963, The Supremes in 1968 and The Blue Man Group in 2005. At the Beatles' show on 4 November 1963, John Lennon delivered a line to the well-heeled audience which has passed into legend: "For our last number I'd like to ask your help: Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewellery ..."

The money raised by the Royal Variety Performance provides most of the funding for the Entertainment Artiste’s Benevolent Fund and it’s home Brinsworth House.

Kylie Minogue meets the Queen

 

The Performances

After the first Royal Variety Performance on 1 July 1912 presented by Sir Alfred Butt, it was seven years before the next show, on 28 July 1919 held at the Coliseum Theatre presented this time by Sir Oswald Stoll. The orchestra was conducted by Edward Elgar. In 1921 it moved to The Hippodrome, and was held in November. It was the first time that the Royal Variety Performance became an annual event. In 1923 it moved to the Coliseum Theatre. Then after a gap in 1924, moved to the Alhambra Theatre in February 1925, where it remained in 1926, held on 27 May. It was the first Royal Variety Performance to broadcast, with the BBC providing live radio coverage.

In 1927 there was another move, this time to the Victoria Palace Theatre, with J. A. Webb the compère. Then 1928 show, on 13 December, was held at the Coliseum Theatre. The next show, on 22 May 1930, moved to the London Palladium with George Black and Val Parnell compèring. It was a start of seven successive years at the venue.

In 1935 the Royal Variety Performance was held in the Silver Jubilee year of King George V and Queen Mary. This was the last time King George V attended – he died three months later in January 1936.

There have been two Royal Scottish Variety Performances, both attended by Queen Elizabeth, and presented by Howard & Wyndham Ltd in Glasgow`s Alhambra Theatre, which Sir Alfred Butt had opened, in 1958 and 1963.

Ashleigh & Pudsey BGT Winners 2012

Britain’s Got Talent Acts

Since 2007, one act of the Royal Variety show has been selected by the British public through the ITV1 television talent show Britain's Got Talent.

A public telephone vote decides the most popular act in each semi-final, which then progresses to the final, along with a second act chosen by the judges. The grand final is then broadcast live and all the acts perform again for the public vote.

Winners

• 2007: Paul Potts – pop opera tenor
• 2008: George Sampson – street dancer
• 2009: Diversity – street dance group
• 2010: Spelbound - gymnastics squad
• 2011: Jai McDowall - singer
• 2012: Ashleigh and Pudsey - musical canine freestyle

 

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE IS PREGNANT...PHOTOS AND WE LOOK BACK

 

Courtesy @Daily Mail



Courtesy @Calgary Herald

KATE, THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE, IS PREGNANT

The Duchess of Cambridge, known to the world as Kate Middleton for many years is pregnant. The Duchess found out in November but had no intention of making a public announcement until she was at least 12 weeks pregnant.

The Duchess was seen last week playing hockey at her old school and there were no signs at all that she could be pregnant despite the rumours circulating in the last couple of months.

Royal couple engagement annoucement

The royal couple had been talking about children as early as their engagement in 2010.

It is understood that the Duchess has been hospitalised for severe morning sickness which has made her dehydrated. There is speculation that the palace has made the announcement to avoid any speculation as to why she is in hospital.

The palace sources have not given any further information apart from the press release made public. It has not been conclusively been confirmed how many weeks along the Duchess is.

Royal couple looking happy on balcony after wedding ceremony

Here is a summary of the information that has come through since the public announcement.

·         Kate suffering severe morning sickness

 

·         Royal baby third in line ot the throne and will take the throne regardless of sex

 

·         The Duchess's good humour will be tested as never before

 

·         Prince Harry has received the news that he is to be an uncle

 

·         Diana and Charles 'likely' names for royal baby

 

·         Cameron leads royal congratulations

 

Official Photo

FORMAL ANNOUCEMENT ON PALACE FACEBOOK PAGE

www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=tn_tnmn#!/TheBritishMonarchy

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby.

The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news.

The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter.

Further information:

Hyperemesis Gravidarumis very acute morning sickness, which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients.

 

Kate and William looking blissfully happy

The 3 men of Windsor Prince Charles, William & Harry