Children & the Arts Gala Performance and Dinner at Buckingham Palace

Posted 29th April 2008 10:46 am | Permalink

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall hosted a gala performance and dinner at Buckingham Palace on 23rd April 2008 to thank The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts’ donors, sponsors and supporters for their help and generosity.   

Before dinner guests will be entertained by a variety performance directed by David Lan, Artistic Director of the Young Vic and Ambassador for the charity and supported by The Philharmonia Orchestra, directed by John Wilson. The show is based around the themes of inspiration and creativity that are central to Children & the Arts.   

David Lan, Artistic Director of The Young Vic Theatre and Director of the performance said: “Children & the Arts is a cause I feel passionately about.  So it has been a pleasure to direct tonight’s special performance on the theme of ‘Imagination’ as this is exactly what The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts  inspires in the hearts and minds of  thousands of children across the UK.”  

Highlights included internationally renowned soprano Renee Fleming’s rendition of “Over the Rainbow”, Jeremy Irons’ recital of “O for a Muse of Fire” from Shakespeare’s Henry V, Jude Law and Penelope Wilton’s performance of an extract from Peer Gynt, a tango performed by the Ballet Boyz and Ian McKellen’s closing speech. 

Jeremy Irons said: “I am delighted to help with tonight’s gala performance. Anything we can do to involve children in the arts must presage a richer society in the future.” 

Other performers include Alfie Boe, Corey Snide who is currently starring as Billy Elliot in the West End musical and Emilie, a puppet from the National Theatre’s recent War Horse production.  The narrator for the show is Pauline Collins and music will be performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra.  

Alfie Boe, Performer and Ambassador for Children & the Arts said: “Children & the Arts makes the world of the arts relevant and fun for children which is really important. That is why it’s so good to be singing at tonight’s special performance and being an Ambassador for The Charity.”