Blackpool NHS key workers will take a starring role as Royal variety show rolls into town again

Although there will be no live audience, some of the resort’s NHS workers will be able to see the show before it is broadcast on TV and around the world.

A spokesman for Visit Blackpool said: “Due to the current national lockdown restrictions, we are now not able to have a live audience, and all the artists and crew will be strictly observing social-distancing and other safety measures.

“However, we are pleased to announce that a virtual audience featuring key workers, including NHS staff from the Blackpool region and Royal Variety Charity supporters, will be able to enjoy the show.

“As usual, the theatrical show will be edited for broadcast on ITV1 a couple of weeks later and then throughout the World, including several Commonwealth countries.”

Michael Williams, managing director of Blackpool Winter Gardens, hopes the return of the show to the resort will be a ‘catalyst’ to the town like it was in 2009.

He said: “I think it’s very important that ITV and the charity were very keen to promote the show and to give a boost for entertainment and for those workers within the entertainment industry, who’ve all suffered as a consequence of the pandemic this year which has impacted upon us all.

“I think for Blackpool and particularly for the Winter Gardens in 2009 when we hosted the Royal Variety last time, it had a massive regeneration for the theatre. Producers realised that the theatre was open and we reminded them of the capacity and as a consequence of that we were able to drive more business into the Opera House after a number of years almost in the wilderness in the auditorium circuit.

“So it was a catalyst in 2009 and brought more shows coming to Blackpool and I hope this year will be exactly the same.

Mr Williams said it was also fantastic that Blackpool keyworkers could play a part in the show.

He said: “Obviously we’re delighted to be able to host the 2020 Royal Variety Performance in the Opera House this year given the circumstances with the pandemic. “There has not been much entertainment that we have been able to host over the past seven months so it’s a real boost I think for the profile of the resort given that the show will be broadcast to over 120 million people around the world.

“It’s great to have the hard working essential workers involved in this event after a tough year for them all so it’s appropriate that they’ve been invited and acknowledged for the hard work that they’ve done for us all in Blackpool.

Coun Gillian Campbell, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and culture also welcomed the return of the show to the resort.

She said: “We are deeply honoured that the Royal Variety Charity has chosen to hold its annual Royal Variety Performance in the iconic Winter Gardens.

“It will, of course, be a very different event to the last time it was staged here given that it will be a virtual rather than a live audience. But given the immense challenges that charities and the events industry have faced throughout this year, it is a remarkable achievement that the show can take place at all.

“With so many top-class performers lined up for the Opera House stage, it promises to be an unforgettable event and one that cements Blackpool’s reputation as the home of entertainment.”

The show will be filmed this month with comedian, actor and singer Jason Manford hosting the event in the Winter Gardens Complex. He said he is looking forward to hosting this year’s event after a year of no theatre and he described the Opera House as “one of the best venues in the world.” The event marks a royal return to the resort for Jason Manford who also performed 11 years ago.

He said: “After appearing at the Royal Variety Performance three times since 2009, it is an honour and a privilege to be hosting the show this year. It’s been a hugely difficult year for everybody, so I hope that for a couple of hours on a cold Winter’s night in Blackpool, we can take people’s minds off things and do what us Brits do best; have a laugh.”

Prince Charles will also being delivering a special message to the charity and the artistes performing in the show, as he looks forward to an evening of entertainment.

Returning to the resort after eleven years, the show promises to be an “unforgettable evening of exceptional performers, world class British theatre and superb comedy, plus some exciting surprises.”

Among the line-up of people appearing in this year’s show include much-loved Captain Sir Thomas Moore who captured the nation’s hearts with his fundraising efforts during the pandemic.

He will be joining forces from his home for an exclusive performance with legendary singer and entertainer Michael Ball who will be on stage at the Opera House with the NHS choir to perform their chart-topping anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and there will also be a special solo appearance by British superstar Gary Barlow.

The evening will also provide musical theatre performances from the award-winning Sheridan Smith as Cilla Black from Cilla The Musical and also Samantha Barks, the leading lady from Frozen the Musical.

There’s more music from Brit Award winner and rising star Celeste, singer and Spice Girl Melanie C and pop band Steps.

Providing even more entertainment will be TV presenter and magician Stephen Mulhern, a performance from West End star Marisha Wallace as well as a “high octane and jaw-dropping performance” from Kenyan acrobats The Black Blues Brothers.

Also taking to the stage with a specially composed and heart-warming performance, musical comedian and Britain’s Got Talent 2020 winner Jon Courtenay. Plus more comedy from stand ups Jo Caulfield and Daliso Chaponda.

Giles Cooper, Chairman of the Royal Variety Charity said: “The Royal Variety Charity is thrilled that the Royal Variety Performance will be held in Blackpool this year. We have worked relentlessly to ensure that we can produce a Royal Variety Performance in some shape or form to raise much needed funds at this critical time.

“We are honoured that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has recorded a message of support for our charity, which continues to assist those from the world of entertainment, both young and old, since our formation in 1908.

“In 2020 our grants scheme has continued to operate throughout the United Kingdom, providing financial help for those from the world of entertainment, in all its forms.

“The Royal Variety Charity is proud to have been of assistance to those working in the industry during this particularly difficult year”.

“Due to the current national lockdown restrictions, we are now not able to have a live audience, and all the artists and crew will be strictly observing social-distancing and other safety measures.

“However, we are pleased to announce that a virtual audience featuring key workers, including NHS staff from the Blackpool region and Royal Variety Charity supporters, will be able to enjoy the

show.

“As usual, the theatrical show will be edited for broadcast on ITV1 a couple of weeks later and then throughout the World, including several Commonwealth countries.

“This will be the third time the Royal Variety Performance has been to Blackpool, having previously been held there in 1955 and 2009, both times being attended by the Royal Variety‘s sole Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

The event is staged in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, whose patron is Her Majesty The Queen. The money raised from the show helps those people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance.

This is the first time the event has left London since 2011 when it was held at Salford’s Lowry Theatre.

In 2009 the 81st Royal Variety Performance was staged in Blackpool, the first in the resort since 1955.

Hosted by comedian Peter Kay, the show also included performances from Lady GaGa, dance troupe Diversity, singer Katherine Jenkins and Broadway and Hollywood legend Bette Midler.

They were joined by singer Michael Buble and opera star Andre Rieu alongside scores of other artists.

Julia Bennett, deputy communities content editor for the Gazette, covered the 2009 show. Here she remembers the performance.

“It’s not every day you see global stars like Lady Gaga, Whoopi Goldberg, Bette Midler, Michael Bublé and Katherine Jenkins all in the same room; it’s one of those magical moments that stays with you forever.

And it’s why the 2009 Royal Variety Performance was without doubt a huge triumph for Blackpool - and most definitely one of my career highlights.

The anticipation of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s arrival could be felt right across the resort in the run up to the big red carpet night.

There were daily reports of stars spotted enjoying all that Blackpool has to offer, including Lady Gaga tucking into fish and chips in the Devonshire Arms.

The Illuminations shone in all their glory, while the atmosphere was electric inside the historic Winter Gardens as eyes across the world saw the resort at its finest.

Our news editor at the time tasked me with chatting to the stars who were whisked in and out of the press room before treading the boards of the Opera House - and there was one clear message from them all, they loved Blackpool!

While this year’s show will be somewhat different due to the coronavirus restrictions, it’s another coup for our special town and reaffirms Blackpool as the entertainment capital of the UK.

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