A celebratory documentary marking the centenary of the world-famous London Palladium theatre.
This retrospective documentary celebrates the centenary of the London Palladium. The programme combines extensive archive footage with personal recollections from a host of performers whose careers are associated with the theatre. Contributors sharing their memories of the iconic venue and its famous variety shows include Sir Bruce Forsyth (Bruce Forsyth), Sir Ken Dodd (Ken Dodd), Andrew Lloyd Webber (Andrew Lloyd Webber), and Dame Vera Lynn (Vera Lynn). Anecdotes from performers, producers, and backstage staff are used to build a picture of the theatre’s history, from its music hall origins to its status as the home of televised light entertainment.
This BBC documentary serves as an affectionate tribute to a cornerstone of British light entertainment. Eschewing a formal, chronological narrative, the programme instead constructs a mosaic of anecdotes that positions the Palladium as the ultimate measure of success for a variety artist. The recurring testimony from generations of stars reinforces the idea that to ‘play the Palladium’ was to have truly arrived in showbusiness. Through its combination of archive material and reverential interviews, the production cements the theatre’s status not just as a landmark building, but as a symbol of a golden age of British entertainment.
Broadcast: BBC Two, 1 Episode, 31 December 2010
Director: Lucy Kenwright
Producer: Lucy Kenwright
Executive Producers: Caroline Wright, Stan Matthews
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, Roy Hudd, Cliff Richard, Jason Donovan
