Royal Variety Performance
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The Muppets have appeared as part of the Royal Variety Performance in 1977 & 1993.
Contents |
History
The first Royal Variety Performance was held July 1st, 1912, at Palace Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, London. King George V said that he would attend a variety show once every year, if the profit were given to the Variety Artistes' Benevolent Fund. Every year since then the Royal Family have attended the show at various theaters around London. For the various Muppet appearances, the reigning sovereign has been Queen Elizabeth II. Since 1999, the show has also been presented in Birmingham, Edinburgh and Cardiff.
The 1977 Appearance
The 1977 show was hosted by Bob Hope. Other participants that year included: Rudolph Nureyev, Cleo Laine, Julie Andrews, and Harry Belafonte.
Puppeteers: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, and Louise Gold. The Muppet cast sang "We Got Us".
After the performance, Mean Mama, performed by Louise Gold, surprised Prince Charles by giving him a hug. [1]
The 1993 Appearance
The Muppet appearance was divided into 3 scenes. First the host Cilla Black introduced Kermit and Miss Piggy. Kermit had prepared a little speech and was getting small pointers from Miss Piggy while he held it. Miss Piggy also took the chance to get a girl to girl talk with the host Cilla Black. Afterwards Kermit and Miss Piggy where gonna sing a small ballad of how they first meet, with the help of non-talented musicians hired by Gonzo. The musicians had trouble playing the song. Miss Piggy asked what the tone deaf normally play these days, and as they start playing Gonzo introduce them as "Yes indeed. It's the rightfully famous Right Said Fred."
The scenery, including Kermit, Miss Piggy and Gonzo, leaves the stage and a Right Said Fred medley begins with the help of Doglion, Sweetums, The Clodhoppers, Fletcher Bird and the Bossmen. The medley ends with everyone going out to the edge of the stage with the puppeteers in plain sight dressed in all black.
After an opera number, Statler and Waldorf are seen in one of the theater boxes.
Waldorf: "I love opera."
Statler: "Oh yeah, me too. She hosts one of the best talk shows on TV."
Waldorf: "Have you completely lost your mind?"
Statler: "No not yet. But then I haven't seen all the acts."
Puppeteers: Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Steve Whitmire, Frank Oz and various uncredited puppeteers.
Sources
- ↑ Of Muppets and Men, pg. 91
