Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool

The Opera House Theatre, in Blackpool's Winter Gardens, will host the 81st Royal Variety Performance,.

The Performance, presented annually in aid of the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund (the EABF), will be the first time that the Royal Variety has been staged in Blackpool since 1955. Blackpool Council has kindly agreed to display the famous Blackpool Illuminations, along the route of the Royal party, on the night of December 7th.

Due to an overwhelming demand, all applications for tickets have been suspended."It's a sell-out" confirmed the ticket office.

Award-winning comedian, Peter Kay, will host the show which promises to be an unforgettable evening. Peter says, "It's an honour and a privilege to be asked to host the Royal Variety, but even more of a delight to host it in Blackpool."

This year's star studded Performance, looks set to be one of the best ever. Acts confirmed so far include:

ALEXANDRA BURKE, ANDRE RIEU, BETTE MIDLER, DIVERSITY, JASON MANFORD, KATHERINE JENKINS, MICHAEL BUBLE, MILEY CYRUS, PATRICK McGUINNESS, PAUL ZERDIN, PETER KAY, PILOBOLUS DANCERS, SISTER ACT with WHOOPI GOLDBERG, HERE COME THE GIRLS with CHAKA KHAN, ANASTACIA, LULU, MIKA, ADAM HILLS, HAL CRUTTENDEN, LADY GAGA, FARYL SMITH, THE HEAVY CAVALRY & CAMBRAI BAND, MORECAMBE (aka BOB GOLDING as ERIC MORECAMBE), LES 7 DOIGHTS DE LA MAIN - acrobats

History of the Royal Variety

The origins of the Royal Variety Performance date back to 1912, when His Majesty King George V, and Her Majesty Queen Mary, agreed to attend a 'Royal Command Performance' at the Palace Theatre in London's Cambridge Circus, in aid of the Variety Artistes' Benevolent Fund (the previous name of the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund) and its proposed plans to build an extension to its Home for elderly entertainers, Brinsworth House. This first staging was a lavish occasion, and the theatre was decorated with 3 million roses draped around the auditorium and over the boxes.
 
The organisers did not invite Marie Lloyd, one of the most famous music hall artists of the time, partly due to a professional dispute and partly, it was said, due to her act being 'too risqué' for the times and too inappropriate to be performed before Royalty. Instead, she held a rival performance in a nearby theatre, which she bitterly advertised as "by command of the British public". Thereafter, the name of the event was changed to prevent any possible future Royal embarrassment.More information available from www.eabf.org.uk

Last Edited: 08/12/2009