On Monday (December 8) from 7.30pm, this year’s Royal Variety Performance will kick off at the London Palladium.
In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the star studded spectacular promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, theatre, comedy and dance.
Veteran entertainers Dame Shirley Bassey and Bette Midler will both perform.
Dame Shirley Bassey said: “My very first performance on The Royal Variety Performance was in 1961 and with each show it just gets better and better. I’m excited and honoured to be a part of this year’s show and to share the stage with such great talent.”
Bette said: “As a little girl growing up with dreams of being a singer, I never imagined I would one day perform for members of the Royal Family. It’s quite an honour to take the stage before such a distinguished audience, and it’s a privilege to be included in a long list of talented artists who have been a part of The Royal Variety Performance for over a century.”
Multi-award winners One Direction, Ivor Novello award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ed Sheeran, BRIT Award winner Ellie Goulding, American superstar Demi Lovato, Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro, the cast of multi-award winning musical Miss Saigon, critically acclaimed tenor Alfie Boe and Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Inala will all be performing.
One Direction said: “It’s such an honour for us to be back on The Royal Variety Performance this year. It’s sure to be an incredibly special night and we’re really excited!”
Collabro said: “It’s such a huge privilege to be invited to perform at The Royal Variety Performance. None of us could ever have imagined being on this stage in our wildest dreams this time last year. It’s sure to be an incredibly special night.”
Comedy comes from acclaimed stand-up Russell Kane, British Comedy Award winner Jack Whitehall, Sarah Millican and Trevor Noah, and the magical talents of Stephen Mulhern.
On hosting The Royal Variety Performance, Michael said: “When The Queen FaceTimed me and asked me to host the Royal Variety Performance again I was utterly thrilled, especially when she told me it was to be in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge whose presence I have never been in before. I plan on wearing the dress Catherine wore at the St Andrew’s University fashion show to guarantee I hold Prince William’s attention throughout.”
