Liverpool hosts cultural double tonight

Dec 3 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

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 theAlbert 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.”

READ an exclusive interview with Dennis Hopper on www. liverpooldailypost.co.uk this afternoon, before he presents the Turner Prize.

OPINION: PAGE 10

davidbartlett