This autumn will see the curtain raised on the RAF bands’ prestigious annual concert tour which this year showcases the Best of British Entertainment.
The tour, which will visit 15 venues across the UK, will begin at the Royal Hall, Harrogate on Friday, October 21 and end at the Lighthouse Pools on 11 December 2016.
From Hancock’s Half Hour and The Two Ronnies to James Bond and Phantom of the Opera, some of our greatest home-grown entertainment milestones will be celebrated through the evocative music they are so fondly identified with.
Featuring popular theme tunes from iconic BBC radio shows, the finest pop music from across the decades and rousing numbers from the stage and screen, audiences will enjoy an evening of first class entertainment performed by leading musicians from the Bands of the Royal Air Force, as seen at the Festival of Remembrance and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Entertainment of a more traditional nature will also feature, including Fantasia on British Sea Songs, O Fortuna from Carmina Burana plus a special Royal tribute to mark the Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday. And it wouldn’t be an evening with the Bands of the RAF if you didn’t hear a selection of rousing British military marches, this year’s tour featuring 633 Squadron, Those Magnificent Men and The Dambusters March.
The RAF’s leading vocalist Sqn Ldr Matt Little will be joined on stage by West End performer Sarah Francis for a special tribute to British musicals and popular entertainment – from Oliver! to Matt Monro. Tour compere will be the voice of Strictly Come Dancing, Alan Dedicoat (except Nottingham and Manchester, BBC broadcaster Ken Bruce; and London, TV personality Gaby Roslin).
Tour organiser Tina Outlaw said:
We’ve brought together a superb programme of music that will reflect the Best of British Entertainment. The evening will be a wonderful reminder of the rich seam of talent that has kept us laughing, singing and, occasionally, a little tearful over the years.
Sponsored by BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, the concert tour will visit:
- 21 October, Royal Hall, Harrogate
- 23 October: The Sage, Gateshead
- 26 October: The Anvil Basingstoke
- 27 October: Colston Hall, Bristol
- 30 October: Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe
- 1 November: Cadogan Hall, London
- 6 November: Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
- 18 November, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
- 19 November: Royal Centre, Nottingham
- 20 November: Symphony Hall, Birmingham
- 30 November: Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
- 1 Dec: Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
- 3 Dec: Ipswich Regent
- 4 Dec: Theatre Royal, Norwich
- 11 Dec: Lighthouse, Poole
For ticketing details and further information, visit rafinconcert.com
