RAF BANDS SHOWCASE ‘BEST OF BRITISH'
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
1st December 2016
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
1st December 2016
Some of the most memorable and recognisable tunes that will forever be associated with ‘The Best of British Entertainment’ will feature in a special RAF in Concert performance at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, on the 1st December.
The concert by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force takes place on Thursday, December 1 and will be compered by the voice of Strictly Come Dancing, Alan Dedicoat.
From Hancock’s Half Hour and The Two Ronnies to James Bond and Phantom of the Opera, some of Britain’s greatest home-grown entertainment milestones will be celebrated through the evocative music they are so fondly identified with. |
Featuring popular theme tunes from iconic BBC radio shows, the finest pop music from across the decades and stirring numbers from the stage and screen, audiences will enjoy an evening of first class entertainment performed by leading RAF musicians, as seen at the Festival of Remembrance and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. |
Entertainment of a more traditional nature will also feature, including Fantasia on British Sea Songs, O Fortuna from Carmina Burana plus a special Royal tribute to mark the Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday. And it wouldn’t be an evening with the Royal Air Force without a selection of rousing British military marches, this year’s programme featuring 633 Squadron, Those Magnificent Men and The Dambusters March.

Sqn Ldr Matt Little
People attending the forthcoming RAF in Concert performance at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion would be forgiven for thinking they were seeing double.
This is because the RAF’s principal soloist, Sqn Ldr Matt Little, will not only be performing vocal numbers including Matt Monro’s Impossible Dream and a Musicals Medley during the RAF in Concert performance – he’ll be conducting too!
Since taking command of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force in September, Sqn Ldr Little and his band have already had some memorable engagements including appearing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance and on The One Show supporting the Rickshaw Challenge for BBC Children in Need.
He said: “I’m very much looking forward to being in front of the band, highlighting their depth of talent and there may even be a few surprises along the way!”
“The Royal Air Force in Concert tour is always one of the highlights of our year and this year is no exception. We’ve received some great feedback, and we’re so appreciative of the support from our audiences.”
Sqn Ldr Matt Little will be joined on stage by West End performer Sarah Francis for a special tribute to British musicals and popular entertainment – from Oliver! to Matt Monro.
Tour organiser Tina Outlaw said: “We’ve brought together a wonderful programme of music that will reflect the Best of British Entertainment. The evening will be a wonderful reminder of the rich seam of talent that has kept us laughing, singing and, occasionally, a little tearful over the years.”
Tickets for the concert, which is staged in support of the RAF Charitable Trust, are priced from £19 - £25. For details and further information, visit rafinconcert.com or call the Cliffs Pavilion Box Office on 01702 351135 or go online at southendtheatres.org.uk
People attending the forthcoming RAF in Concert performance at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion would be forgiven for thinking they were seeing double.
This is because the RAF’s principal soloist, Sqn Ldr Matt Little, will not only be performing vocal numbers including Matt Monro’s Impossible Dream and a Musicals Medley during the RAF in Concert performance – he’ll be conducting too!
Since taking command of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force in September, Sqn Ldr Little and his band have already had some memorable engagements including appearing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance and on The One Show supporting the Rickshaw Challenge for BBC Children in Need.
He said: “I’m very much looking forward to being in front of the band, highlighting their depth of talent and there may even be a few surprises along the way!”
“The Royal Air Force in Concert tour is always one of the highlights of our year and this year is no exception. We’ve received some great feedback, and we’re so appreciative of the support from our audiences.”
Sqn Ldr Matt Little will be joined on stage by West End performer Sarah Francis for a special tribute to British musicals and popular entertainment – from Oliver! to Matt Monro.
Tour organiser Tina Outlaw said: “We’ve brought together a wonderful programme of music that will reflect the Best of British Entertainment. The evening will be a wonderful reminder of the rich seam of talent that has kept us laughing, singing and, occasionally, a little tearful over the years.”
Tickets for the concert, which is staged in support of the RAF Charitable Trust, are priced from £19 - £25. For details and further information, visit rafinconcert.com or call the Cliffs Pavilion Box Office on 01702 351135 or go online at southendtheatres.org.uk