Bon Jovi to headline Royal Variety Show in Liverpool

Nov 6 2007 by Alex Bell, Liverpool Daily Post

Jon bon Jovi

ROCK legends Bon Jovi will join a galaxy of stars from the world of entertainment to light up the 79th Royal Variety Performance to be attended by the Queen and Prince Philip in Liverpool next month.

The Empire Theatre will host the event as part of Liverpool’s 800th birthday celebrations, and also to herald next year’s Capital of Culture year.

Bon Jovi are the latest superstars to be added to a list that includes internationally acclaimed opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Also appearing are Britain's Got Talent winner and now international chart-topper Paul Potts, singer songwriter James Blunt, pop singer and heart-throb Enrique Iglesias, mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and ballet dancer Darcey Bussell.

From London's West End, the cast of the hit musical Hairspray will be performing an extra special extract from the show.

Liverpool will become only the fourth city outside London to host the Royal Variety show, which will take place on December 3.

Empire Theatre general manager Hannah Collins said, “The organisers of the Royal Variety Performance have spent a lot of time at the theatre working with us to ensure everything is taken care of.

“ It's such a huge operation logistically – everything is planned down to the very last detail. Everyone at the Empire is hugely excited about the event and we'll be eagerly awaiting further additions to the already impressive list of performers.”

Two of Britain's top television personalities, Phillip Schofield and Kate Thornton, will present the show.

“There is no other show that boasts such a diverse mix of acts and this year will be no exception,” said Mr Schofield.

Kate Thornton added: “It's a British institution that unites some of the biggest acts in the world for one night only and I am honoured to be presenting one of Britain's biggest shows.”

The event drew an audience of 9.5 million viewers, peaking at 10.5 million in 2005 and is staged in aid of the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund, whose patron is the Queen.

The money will help to maintain Brinsworth House in Twickenham, Middlesex – the actors' retirement and nursing home which is run by the EABF.

Laurie Mansfield, EABF life president of the EABF and one of the West End's leading theatre producers, said: "I'm thrilled that ITV will be continuing the tradition of taking the Royal Variety Performance out of London and to major cities around the UK and I'm particularly delighted that this year it will be Liverpool.

“The show continues to feature top-class international acts alongside television newcomers and is undoubtedly the highlight in the show business calendar."

The first Royal show was held in 1912, at the Palace Theatre, in Shaftesbury Avenue, London.

Council leader Cllr Warren Bradley said: “The calibre of those who will be in the city is phenomenal.

“It means we can sell Liverpool even more and show them what a great city we have.”

ALL tickets for the 2007 Royal Variety Performance are only available from the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund on 0208 898 8164.