A show that’s fit for the Queen

Dec 1 2007 by Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post

Ensuring the Royal Variety Performance runs smoothly is a tough task, but one that the Empire’s general manager is looking forward to. Laura Davis reports

THE only appropriate response for Queen Mary to make when music hall star Vesta Tilley appeared on stage wearing trousers was to bury her face in her programme.

That was in the days when women attired in traditional “men’s” garb was seen as extraordinarily immodest. As Miss Tilley, a well-known male impersonator, had acted in boys’ clothing since the age of five, perhaps the demonstration of Royal modesty had been prepared in advance.

Either way, it was the only hiccup in the first-ever Royal Variety Performance, known then as the Royal Command Performance.

Eighty-five years on, it is unlikely that a pair of trousers will attract the same reaction from our current Queen, although if she isn’t used to the tight leather pair worn by outspoken comedian Russell Brand, perhaps she should have her programme handy just in case.

Pants aside, there is plenty for the team at the Liverpool Empire to be sorting out to ensure that this year’s event on Tuesday – only one of a few occasions it has been held outside London – goes smoothly.

“It’s a lot of hard work and we’ve been working on this for about a year,” says Hannah Collins, the theatre’s general manager.

“It’s just a matter of every-thing coming together at the time. We’ve been doing bits of maintenance here, there and everywhere, lots of painting and just making sure that the venue looks absolutely pristine.”

In the past eight decades, organising the Royal Variety Performance has become a complicated affair. As well as the Empire, also involved are the Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund; ITV, whose turn it is to broadcast the event; the police, and representatives of the Palace.

All profits go to Brinsworth House, in Middlesex, a home for retired entertainers run by the EABF.

“We’ve been having lots of meetings to make sure everyone knows what’s been going on,” explains Hannah. “We’ve been liaising with local police on the security arrangements to make sure everything goes smoothly on the night.

“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.”

A special Royal Box has been built for the Queen to sit in and watch the show, and the theatre is also preparing a retiring room where she can go to relax during the interval.

Although ITV will be bringing their own technical team, the Empire’s existing stage and lighting crew will be involved as well. The usual front-of-house staff will also be fulfilling their normal roles, and are particularly hoping to meet the Queen.

“Some of them remember the last time the Queen was here to re-open the theatre, after its refurbishment in 1998. A lot of the staff have very fond memories of that night and are really excited about the fact that she’s coming back,” says Hannah.

“It’s a very exciting show because, obviously, it’s a brand-new show. We get a lot of productions that tour the whole country and we sometimes have returning shows, but this is coming together for one night only.”

Also familiar with the Empire is Phillip Schofield, who will be presenting the show with former X-Factor host Kate Thornton. He has appeared there several times as the lead role in the musical, Dr Dolittle.

“I’m very excited to be presenting the show this year,” he said recently. “There is no other show that boasts such a diverse mix of acts and this year will be no exception.”

The Royal Variety Performance has always included a wide variety of performers. In its first year, in 1912, they included – alongside the trousered Vesta Tilley – the juggler, Paul Cinquevalli; the great Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova; and the cherubic showman Little Tich.

In 1963, when The Beatles appeared, John Lennon spoke the famous line: “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.”

This time, in its 79th year, the show will feature everyone from American R ’n’ B singer Kanye West to Spanish heart-throb Enrique Iglesias, and world-famous opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa.

Former Royal Ballet star Darcey Bussell, housewives’ favourite singer-songwriter James Blunt, risqué comedian Joan Rivers and Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts are also among those on the bill.

Hannah, who will be too busy ensuring everything is going according to plan to be able to watch the show live, is planning to set her video.

She confesses: “I’m very excited that Bon Jovi is performing.”

* THE 2007 Royal Variety Performance, at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool, takes place on Monday and will be televised on ITV1 on Sunday, December 9, at 8pm.

lauradavis@dailypost.co.uk