A one-off documentary special celebrating the centenary of the world-famous London theatre.
This celebratory programme charts the history of the London Palladium through a combination of archive footage and interviews. A formidable list of entertainment figures who have performed on its famous stage share their memories of the venue. Contributors include singers such as Vera Lynn, Cliff Richard, and Michael Ball; comedians and presenters Ken Dodd, Bruce Forsyth, Jimmy Tarbuck, and Des O’Connor; and theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber. They recall the theatre’s greatest triumphs, backstage anecdotes, and its unique status as the world’s most famous variety house.
The London Palladium holds an almost mythical status in British light entertainment, and this production serves as a testament to that legacy. For much of the twentieth century, to top the bill at the Palladium was the undisputed pinnacle of a performer’s career, a validation sought by British talent and American superstars alike. The documentary is constructed as a straightforward historical tribute, allowing its impressive roster of interviewees to tell the story of the theatre’s evolution from music hall to the home of televised Royal Variety Performances. The programme reinforces the Palladium’s position not just as a building, but as a crucial engine of British popular culture.
Broadcast: BBC Two, 1 Episode, 31 December 2010
Produced and Directed by: Lucy Kenwright
Executive Producers: Caroline Wright, Stan Matthews
Production Manager: Jill Hallowell
Contributors: Ken Dodd, Bruce Forsyth, Philip Schofield, Vera Lynn, Michael Ball, Des O’Connor, Michael Crawford, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jimmy Tarbuck, Michael Grade, Lesley Garrett, Sheila Hancock, Cliff Richard, Val Doonican, Jason Donovan
