For the first time since London welcomed in the new Millennium, the Royal Albert Hall will open its doors for some very special end of year concerts to welcome 2014 in style. Two years after it charmed the world with its nostalgic look at the golden days of the Hollywood silent film, The Artist now comes to the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December 2013, in its live concert version, making this the perfect end of year treat. This multi award-winning film is dramatically brought to life on stage with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ernst Van Tiel, playing the soundtrack simultaneously with a high-definition screening of the film for an exclusive UK premiere.
Written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius and starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, the film takes place in Hollywood, between 1927 and 1932, and focuses on the relationship of an older silent film star and a rising young actress, as silent cinema falls out of fashion and is replaced by the ‘talkies’.
With the film’s soundtrack composed by Ludovic Bource, The Artist received universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike when it was released. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards® and won five including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Score and Best Picture, becoming the first French film to ever win Best Picture. It was also nominated for six Golden Globes Awards, winning three, and twelve BAFTAs, winning seven, which makes it the most awarded film in French history. Composer Ludovic Bource, who won an Oscar®, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for his soundtrack, will also perform in these very special events and fans of this much loved modern classic will be able to revisit the film, with one of the world’s finest symphony orchestras, for a unique cinematic experience within the magical setting of the Royal Albert Hall.
Thomas Langmann, the film’s producer, said ‘It is a huge honour for me to rediscover The Artist live in concert in one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world- the Royal Albert Hall. For it to be played live by the London Symphony Orchestra, one of the best orchestras in the world, will assure each performance’s emotional intensity’
Bérénice Bejo added, ‘Filming The Artist was one of the most incredible movie making experiences. To now see the film come alive in this way, within the extraordinary setting of the Royal Albert Hall, will be a special event indeed’
Ludovic Bource, the film’s composer, commented ‘“Composing the soundtrack to The Artist was a dream come true and the music played an integral part in telling the story. It is a pleasure to bring this soundtrack to life at the Royal Albert Hall and to be performing alongside the wonderful London Symphony Orchestra.”
Jasper Hope, Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall, said: ‘The Royal Albert Hall has unquestionably established itself as the destination of choice for the greatest classic film with live orchestra projects. As we look to make the Hall more accessible for as wide a range of people as possible, we are delighted to be promoting end of year concerts for the first time this century and hosting the UK premiere of this exceptional film, featuring its truly brilliant score, played live for a London audience in the midst of their New Year celebrations.’
This event is part of the Royal Albert Hall’s series in celebrating classic films with live orchestra. 100,000 people have now enjoyed sold out performances at the Hall of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Matrix, the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, Disney’s Fantasia, Singin’ in the Rain and the upcoming world premiere of Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton on October 7th and UK premieres of Pixar in Concert on February 22nd and Star Trek on May 29th 2014. The Hall looks to provide memorable visitor experiences for all and, as a charity, these own-promoted events form a part of its extensive public benefit remit.
The event is at the Royal Albert Hall – Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December 2013, 3pm and 7pm on both days. Tickets are now on sale and are priced from £25-£65. To book, please visit www.royalalberthall.com or call the Box Office on 020 7589 8212
There is no official dress code for this event but anyone who wishes is encouraged to celebrate the elegance and style of Hollywood’s Golden Age of Glamour, and not just for the New Year’s Eve performances.
