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Peter Kay to host The Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool

Posted Sunday 1st November 2009by Editor

Award-winning comedian Peter Kay is to host The Royal Variety Performance 2009 which for the first time since 1955 will come from the home of British variety – Blackpool.

The town’s legendary Opera House – the largest theatre in the UK outside of London with a seating capacity of 3000 – will play host to this gala evening in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

The brilliant Peter Kay will preside over the show which promises to be an unforgettable evening of the best UK and international musical performers, show-stopping theatre, comedy and speciality acts as well as a number of sensational surprises. Peter says, “It’s an honour and a privilege to be asked to host the Royal Variety, but even more of delight to host it in Blackpool “.

Acts lined up to appear include: the winner of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, Diversity, the amazing and multi-award winning, Bette Midler, Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg, along with the cast of the smash-hit West End production, Sister Act, Canadian singer and Grammy Award winner, Michael Buble, X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, teen superstar Miley Cyrus, opera star Katherine Jenkins and the critically acclaimed comedians Jason Manford and Paddy McGuinness.

The star studded spectacular will take place on 7 December and be screened on ITV1 later that month. It will be produced by ITV Studios, the makers of the 2007 Royal Variety Performance which attracted an impressive 9 million viewers.

Laurie Mansfield, Life President of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund and one of the West End’s leading theatre producers, said: “Blackpool was the location of the first Royal Variety Performance outside London in 1955 and we are delighted to be returning there, the home of British variety. The Opera House is the largest theatre in the country outside London and is a fitting setting for 2009’s stellar production.”

Amanda Thompson of Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool was also key in the event being brought to Blackpool we understand.

The Blackpool production continues ITV’s tradition of staging The Royal Variety Performance in cities and towns outside London. Previous shows have been hosted in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool.

As is customary, the event is staged in aid of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, whose patron is Her Majesty The Queen. The money will help to maintain Brinsworth House in Twickenham, Middlesex – the entertainers’ retirement and nursing home which is run by the EABF.

The 2009 Royal Variety Performance is commissioned by ITV’s Controller of Entertainment John Kaye Cooper and executive produced by ITV Studios’ Controller of Entertainment Claire Horton and Lee Connolly.

Lee Connolly says, “Blackpool has been at the very heart of variety in the UK and it’s fantastic news that The Royal Variety Performance is back in the town once again for what will be a great night of entertainment.”

One Nation Magazine ponders though why Blackpool being the selected destination of such an event the celebrated and titled National Theatre of Variety, The Grand Theatre (just 250 yards up the road) was not chosen as the host venue? Tell us your thoughts, plus have you managed to grab tickets?

Visit www.eabf.org.uk/royalvarietyperformance

Enjoy Peter Kay purchase previous performances at Play.com