West End Theatre at the Royal Variety Performance including Dame Edna and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

This year’s Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium saw the West End’s Dame Edna make a surprise appearance, and the casts of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Hill’s I Can’t Sing! – The X Factor Musical and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Stephen Ward perform.

The annual Royal Variety Performance in aid of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund was held this Monday 25 November 2013 at the London Palladium attended by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell in a performance from I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical. Photo copyright: ITV
Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell in a performance from I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical. Photo copyright: ITV

Hosted by comedian and actor John Bishop, the show saw Dame Edna, who is currently performing at the Palladium in Eat, Pray, Laugh! Barry Humphries’ Farewell Tour, surprised the Royal guests by appearing in the Royal Box at the start of the show. She also did an onstage set.

Dame Edna surprises Prince Charles and Camilla in the Royal Box. Photo copyright: ITV
Dame Edna surprises Prince Charles and Camilla in the Royal Box. Photo copyright: ITV

West End theatre casts that performed during the night included new musical I Can’t Sing! The X-Factor Musical, which opens at the London Palladium on 27 February 2014. Harry Hill, the show’s writer, introduced a musical segment from the show, with Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell being lowered God-like down on to the stage, and the show’s star Cynthia Erivo, who plays Chenice, proving that she can definitely sing!

The Royal Variety Performance also included a number from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new show at the Aldwych Theatre, Stephen Ward, featuring Alexander Hanson and Charlotte Spencer. The segment was introduced by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Andrew Lloyd Webber introduces a number from his new musical Stephen Ward
Andrew Lloyd Webber introduces a number from his new musical Stephen Ward
Alexander Hanson and Charlotte Spencer in a number from Andrew Lloyd Webber's new show at the Aldwych Theatre, Stephen Ward
Alexander Hanson and Charlotte Spencer in a number from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new show at the Aldwych Theatre, Stephen Ward

Also the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, including Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, did a set from the show that is currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Andrew Lloyd Webber talking to Prince Charles and introducing his leading cast members
Andrew Lloyd Webber talking to Prince Charles and introducing his leading cast members

Other artists who performed on the show included Strictly Come Dancing champion Flavia Cacace and the cast of Dance ‘Til Dawn, Britain’s Got Talent winners Attraction, Mary J. Blige, Gary Barlow, Jessie J, Rizzle Kicks, Olly Murs, Robbie Williams, John Newman, Caro Emerald, Chas & Dave, Bryn Terfel, Gareth Malone with his new choir Voices and Torvill & Dean.

Comedy came from Jason Byrne, Hal Cruttenden, Jimmy Carr  and Seann Walsh.

The event will be screened on ITV1 at 7.30pm on Monday 9 December 2013.

LINKS

Book tickets to Barry Humphries’ Farewell Tour at the London Palladium
Book tickets to Stephen Ward at the Aldwych Theatre
Book tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Book tickets to I Can’t Sing! The X-Factor Musical at the London Palladium

VIDEO

Watch a sneak preview of the Royal Variety Performance including Dame Edna

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StAJCu19C88

Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical and other shows:

📷 Main photo: This year's Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium saw the West End's Dame Edna make a surprise appearance, and the casts of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Hill’s I Can’t Sing! - The X Factor Musical and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Stephen Ward perform.

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1 thought on “West End Theatre at the Royal Variety Performance including Dame Edna and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

  1. What was that little tag-like thing at the top of Charlotte Spencer’s hairline? It was very distracting. I thought it might be a part of her wig. Anyway, besides that, they did a lovely job.

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