Cultural Double Tonight

[Kev]

LIVERPOOL will tonight enjoy a wonderful precursor to its 2008 celebrations, as it simultaneously plays host to two of the nation’s most talked-about cultural events.

The city will host the presentation of the ever-controversial Turner Prize – the first time it has been held outside London in its 23 years – and the Royal Variety Performance.

The Royal Variety, which is being held at the Empire Theatre, will be broadcast to millions of viewers on Sunday while the Turner, which is being held at Tate Liverpool, will be announced live by veteran actor Dennis Hopper on Channel 4 News tonight.

The region’s official tourist board – The Mersey Partnership – said tonight’s double-bill in the city’s 800th Birthday year put Liverpool at the centre of the world stage.

“There’s no other city anywhere playing host to two such big events tonight, and with the quality and appeal of the whole 2008 programme we are going to be in the spotlight time and time again,� said Martin King, its director of tourism.

Last night, key hotels in the city told the Daily Post they were fully booked up, and although they would not discuss individuals, high-profile celebrities will be staying throughout the city.

Acts playing at the Empire tonight read like a who’s who of the television and musical past and present.

Bon Jovi, American rapper Kanye West, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Seal, James Blunt, and Enrique Iglesias will perform in front of the Queen and Prince Philip.

Also appearing in the 79th Royal Variety Performance are comics Joan Rivers – believed to be staying in the River Suite at the Radisson – Russell Brand, Al Murray and Liverpool veteran Jimmy Tarbuck.

Former Royal Ballet Company prima ballerina Darcey Bussell and Welsh operatic mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins will perform set pieces from their new ensemble show, Viva la Diva.

THE cast of hit West End musical Hairspray will also appear at the event, which raises money for the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: “Liverpool is in the cultural spotlight tonight with two superb events which are very much just a taste of what’s to come over the next 12 months. It sends out a very powerful message that Liverpool has the capacity and ability to both attract and deliver world-class events. And there’s so much more in the pipeline in Capital of Culture year, such as the opening weekend in January, the Liverpool Sound concert and the MTV music awards. It’s an immensely proud time to be a Scouser, witnessing the revival of Liverpool and seeing the city back in the spotlight where it belongs.�

Since the Turner Prize exhibition began at Tate Liverpool in October, more than 42,000 people have been to see the exhibits.

The gallery hopes to welcome thousands more to the Albert Dock before the exhibition closes on January 13.

Last night Andrea Nixon, executive director of Tate Liverpool, said: “We are really looking forward to hosting one of the biggest cultural events of the year. It’s a great moment for visual arts in the city, and an exciting time for the whole of Liverpool.

“Dennis Hopper is thrilled to be presenting the prize and with the guest list finalised and the last details of the party in place, we are sure that it will be an evening to remember for years to come.�

MEANWHILE, the Empire has spent the past year preparing for the event with ITV, which will broadcast the show, presented by Phillip Schofield and former X-Factor host Kate Thornton.

A special Royal box has been built for the Queen, who last visited the venue in 1998 to re-open it after refurbishment.

Hannah Collins, the general manager of the Empire, said: “Everyone here is so excited and proud of the fact that we’re able to host the Royal Variety Performance and delighted that the Queen will be coming to our theatre.

“It is so rarely held outside London and it’s great that Liverpool has been picked.

“I think it is a really appropriate time as it’s the city’s 800th birthday year and we’re just on the eve of Capital of Culture.�

The fun was already getting under way last night at the Crowne Plaza hotel, which was hosting the Royal Variety dinner put on by Frank Carson. “I don’t believe we have got the Queen staying with us, and I don’t want to talk about names, but this is a fantastic start to 2008,� said the general manager of the Crowne Plaza, Stephen Roberts.

“New Year’s Eve is probably going to be the most successful we have had since we opened in the city nine years ago.

“Everyone knows that Liverpool is going places, and it’s now the place to be.

“Bring on 2008.�

Adam Bell, the general manager at the Malmaison hotel, said: “The Mal Liverpool is really geared up for showbiz business.

“Until recently, there has been little exposure, so this is the first big test of it.

“We have been in contact with ITV for about a year, and they have got pretty much all the Malmaison.

“A lot of their big names are staying with us.�

Other hotels are also confident of the impact the events will have.

RACHEL BROWN, of boutique hotel 62 Castle Street, added: “Tonight’s events are fantastic for the city.

“Celebrities who would never normally come here will discover the city and want to come back.�

Lord Mayor Paul Clark said: “Tonight will be an amazing feast of world-class entertainment spanning the cultural spectrum.

“It is a fantastic achievement to be able to stage two such high-class events on the same night – and an amazing curtain raiser to 2008.

“With the Liverpool Nativity and the opening weekend not too far away, we can look forward to many more brilliant events during the next 12 months.

“It demonstrates quite clearly why Liverpool was awarded the Capital of Culture title and shows we have the confidence and ability to deliver an amazing year.�

Tourism leaders are delighted with the huge potential TV audience for both events.

Martin King, at TMP, said: “Tonight’s events place Liverpool firmly centre of the world stage.

“The live TV broadcast from the Tate will reach millions, and the recorded highlights from the Royal Variety Performance will reach another huge audience.

“No other destination can offer its visitors anything quite like Liverpool can in the year ahead.�

Daily Post and Echo

[Paul D]

It's brilliant for the city I'm made up with it.

[lindylou]

I expect that the Royals will travel up here by train.
What I'm dying to know is how will they get the Queen from Lime st to the Empire ?? It is so near isn't it - but she won't be pushed through the side door in Nelson st - she must go through the main doors - - so I'm smiling to myself imagining that they will scuttle around from the station with their brollies against the wind and rain sweeping up across Lime st.

... or will they be ushered to a waiting limmo (parked over by the taxi rank) - and then drive around the block to get to the front entrance of the theatre ?

Will they close off the roads and drive against the usual traffic flow ??
If you think about it - the limmo would have to drive out of the taxi rank and up towards Copperas Hill and down again.

What do you think ??

[Ged]

Billy Butler went over live to the Empire on his radio programme before and spoke with Jimmy Tarbuck who clearly still loves the city despite him and others being slated for not staying like Doddy

Apparently he said 'yes' to the gig right away and unlike some primma donnas didn't care whether he was singing, telling jokes, just introducing or what order he was appearing in. Apparently he is introducing Joan Rivers who has asked him to get her name wrong on purpose, he sounded mortified, 'No she said' introduce me at June Stevens or something so I can come on in a foul mood saying i've flown all the way in here only for him to get my d-amn name wrong etc etc'.

I passed the artic wagons outside the back of the Empire on sat night and I thought I had a myriad of wires behind my telly - bloomin' eck...

[Ged]

Originally Posted by lindylou

I expect that the Royals will travel up here by train.
What I'm dying to know is how will they get the Queen from Lime st to the Empire ?? It is so near isn't it - but she won't be pushed through the side door in Nelson st - she must go through the main doors - - so I'm smiling to myself imagining that they will scuttle around from the station with their brollies against the wind and rain sweeping up across Lime st.

... or will they be ushered to a waiting limmo (parked over by the taxi rank) - and then drive around the block to get to the front entrance of the theatre ?

Will they close off the roads and drive against the usual traffic flow ??
If you think about it - the limmo would have to drive out of the taxi rank and up towards Copperas Hill and down again.

What do you think ??

She's staying in the Feathers Lindy

No, not really of course

[SteH]

Originally Posted by lindylou

I expect that the Royals will travel up here by train.
What I'm dying to know is how will they get the Queen from Lime st to the Empire ?? It is so near isn't it - but she won't be pushed through the side door in Nelson st - she must go through the main doors - - so I'm smiling to myself imagining that they will scuttle around from the station with their brollies against the wind and rain sweeping up across Lime st.

... or will they be ushered to a waiting limmo (parked over by the taxi rank) - and then drive around the block to get to the front entrance of the theatre ?

Will they close off the roads and drive against the usual traffic flow ??
If you think about it - the limmo would have to drive out of the taxi rank and up towards Copperas Hill and down again.

What do you think ??

Many years ago I temped in BT public relations and saw a farcical operation where a coach was organised to take a group of theatre goers from St Johns Beacon where they were being given a buffet to the Empire, or (seriously) it may even have been the Playhouse!!

[Kev]

THE Queen and the cream of showbiz last night confirmed to the world... Liverpool is back and ready to be European Capital of Culture.

In a stunning curtain-raiser to next year’s festivities the Empire Theatre played host to a glorious celebration of the city’s rebirth.

The first Liverpool Royal Variety Show began and ended with Beatles’ songs, had a veteran Scouse comic at its core and contained a myriad of mentions for Merseyside as the dynamo of British showbusiness down the ages.

For the Queen – guest of honour and the subject of a good-natured joke or two – “everyone mistaking you for Helen Mirren� – and comic Russell Brand’s aside “when I lick a stamp, I always do it with my eyes shut� – the Liverpool Empire show must have been an eye-opener.

It featured a trail of showbiz glitterati which ran the gamut from pop stars to classical musicians and acrobats and found its most casual ground in comedy.

For no matter how polished and rehearsed the format it is always the comedians who test the frontiers of protocol.

American Joan Rivers blurted out the F-word and gangly sex-symbol Brand announced himself “sh***er of the year�.

But it was a cheeky cartoon character Little Howard, projected on to a screen, who staring at the Queen and Prince Philip sitting in a newly-built royal box at the front of the theatre circle, deemed to ask: “Isn’t that the lady out of Prime Suspect?�

This was the first reference to Helen Mirren, the actress who played the Queen in the recent Oscar-winning movie.

But the real Queen – resplendent in a stunning shimmering white and silver outfit – seemed happy to play stooge.

Undoubtedly Her Majesty’s favourite fun – judging by the visible royal laughter – was provided by Liverpool comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, a late addition to the programme.

This was his fourth Royal Variety, the others being in 1964, 1981 and 1987.

In contrast to many performers, Tarby was clearly relaxed.

And in one impromptu fill-in, while the stage was set for American group Bon Jovi to top the bill, he made particular reference to Liverpool’s most famous lawyer – also a long-standing ECHO columnist.

“We have St George’s Hall,� enthused Jimmy, referring to the venue for the after-show party.

“Today was the first time I have been in there without seeing Rex Makin.�

He then added: “Local joke. Don’t worry, Ma’am. I’ll explain later.�

The people’s choice act of the night - by virtue of volume of applause, was former mobile phone salesman turned opera singer Paul Potts, winner of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, and introduced by the programme’s judges, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan, led by X-Factor motor-mouth Simon Cowell.

The three-hour show began with a touch of spine-tingling pageantry as cavalry trumpeters, in full livery, gave a fanfare for the singing of the national anthem led by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

What followed was a promotion for Liverpool’s Capital of Culture that money simply could not buy – and which will be seen by a television audience of more than 10 million this Sunday (ITV 8pm).

After a round of applause in the city’s honour, Philip Schofield, co-hosting with former X-Factor presenter Kate Thornton, proclaimed the Empire-hosted event “the ultimate accolade for any performer in the most prestigious variety show in the world�.

Celebrity after celebrity proved the point, including singers James Blunt and Enrique Iglesias, Michael Ball (appearing in drag in a scene from the musical Hairspray), followed by mezzo-soprano superstar Katherine Jenkins and ballerina Darcey Bussell.

There was new and relatively unknown talent as well – including singer-songwriter David Jordan and Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

With a rousing all-cast version of Let It Be (led by Jon Bon Jovi) as a finale (to match Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds as an opener) the Liverpool Royal Variety is expected to raise £600,000 for the Entertainment Artists’ Benevolent Fund.

And its value to Liverpool’s prestige is inestimable.

All white on the night as the Queen meets cast of stars

THE Queen arrived at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre to a huge cheer from crowds last night.

Dressed from head to toe in white and silver the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were led by Lord Mayor Paul Clark to greet city dignitaries.

Among the line up were Lord and Lady Derby, council leader Warren Bradley, Bishop James Jones and Archbishop Patrick Kelly.

After the performance the Queen and Prince Philip met the artists on stage and Her Majesty exited through the stalls of the theatre.

Comic Russell Brand, who joked about making a play for the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, said afterwards: “It was lovely to meet the Queen. When I was thinking what to say I remembered my nan is still alive and there is a lot of things I would be too embarrassed to say in front of her.

“You must be respectful of an elderly woman.

“I have enjoyed my visit to Liverpool, the night has been most agreeable,� he added.

Paul Potts, winner of reality TV show Britain’s Got Talent, was overcome with emotion after his performance.

He said: “It is incredible to be here. It is a dream come true.�

Simon Cowell, who announced his protege on stage, said: “The Queen said she was very impressed with him.�

Review
by Joe Riley, arts correspondent

IT’S more than a case of reviewing a show.

Fast forward to 2057, Liverpool’s 850th birthday, and pundits may well seize on this very scrap of paper to show how Scousers revelled in hosting the Royal Variety as a prelude to Capital of Culture.

By then, in the reign of King William V, they will marvel how his grandmother Elizabeth II, at 81, sat demurely observing a conveyor belt of international talent - known and unknown - that ran its course from jugglers to jokers.

How, at an age and time of night when most of her contemporaries are sipping cocoa and shouting “Turn that noise down!� to their stay-awake kids, Her Majesty withstood a 120-decibel ear-bashing from American band Bon Jovi and lived to smile and wave with her trade-mark radiance.

There were some rough edges and unwelcome cliches – like Jimmy Tarbuck re-processing the dinosaur joke about local car-thieving kids leaving guard dogs standing on four bricks.

And even Russell Brand, obviously pleased to be in full-time employment, breezing through a mention of Liverpool dole queues.

With friends like this, who needs detractors?

Fortunately the audience demonstrated more intelligence. They had not been asleep the past 20 years but rather acknowledged the significance of the world’s most prestigious variety show being staged in the UK’s natural capital of entertainment.

Everywhere, people were asking: “Why no Doddy?� The answer, however, is simple. He did last year’s show – and these things have to be shared around.

Besides the curtain had to come down at 10pm Monday - not at 10am Tuesday.

Opera singing discovery Paul Potts rightly won the popular vote (only one discernible flat note, probably caused purely by nerves) in an otherwise rousing tour de force culminating in that forever Pavarotti stratosphere of Puccini’s Nessun Dorma.

At one point, a woman extra was seen twirling from a rope placed well north of her midriff (if you follow), like an inexplicable spinning top in an age that demands more and more visuals for a public with an ever-shortening boredom threshold.

But with pace and novelty being the order of the night there was little cause for concern.

The stars had their moments. But the one I shall remember most is that of acrobat Dany Daniel balancing atop of a 20ft pile of roly-poly cylinders.

Definitely what they still call a speciality act. And by far the riskiest. more

[Kev]

Joan Rivers, Royal Variety, very funny, Jimmy Tabuck was too

Didn't the Queen look great? we are so lucky to have her you know.

[Kev]

she looks the same as ever, just catching up on Sky+