brian blessed tour

Brian Blessed

Larger than life actor, writer and presenter Brian Blessed is known for his hearty, king-sized portrayals on film and television.

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Soundtrack Of My Life: Brian Blessed

Actor, mountaineer and possessor of the loudest voice in showbiz; also says he's immortal

The first album I bought

A Paul Robeson record

“I was a war baby and there was a great hero in Britain at the time called Paul Robeson who had this bass baritone. I got his album and played it until it fell apart. I actually met him. There was the World Peace Congress to mark the end of all war, and I went to Sheffield and saw him. I got in the front row and he sang ‘Canoe Song’ from the film Sanders Of The River . The whole audience was sobbing, 5,000 people. Then I rushed backstage, I was just 11 years of age, and said ‘you didn’t sing ‘It Still Suits Me’’ and Robeson said ‘good heavens young man, that’s a duet with my wife, would you like to sing it with me?’ Christ almighty! I sang it with Paul Robeson in his dressing room at the World Peace Congress in Sheffield.”

The first song I fell in love with

Petula Clark – ‘Downtown’

“I was in a [1960s] series called Z-Cars playing Fancy Smith, the tough guy, and it was live on television each week. Once we’d shot, I’d go downtown from White City to London with the rest of the lads and we’d celebrate in the Black Sheep, a restaurant and very small nightclub. It was there that I heard ‘Downtown’ by Petula Clark, which was full of verve and the love of the city. I was absolutely living it. I knew Petula Clark, a charming, lovely girl, she was often at Television Centre , I’d say hello to her when we’d be in the studio next door.”

My first gig

‘The Planets Suite’, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Albert Hall

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“I went to the Albert Hall with Patrick Stewart – Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek . We got on the coal wagon from Yorkshire right down to London because we had no money – he was two years younger than me and I was about twelve – washed ourselves in all the toilets and got over and they let us in free for ‘The Planet Suites’. It was bloody marvellous. I was always leading him into trouble. I knew him from the age of nine, we went on drama courses together for the next six or seven years, we both wanted to be actors. We both went to the Old Vic Theatre school. Me and Patrick go way back, we’re brothers really. I take him mountaineering – he’s a marvellous actor but a bloody awful mountaineer. [Does impression of Patrick Stewart freezing on a mountain].”

The song that reminds me of home

Sidney Torch And Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra – ‘Coronation Scot’

“It was the music to [radio detective series] Paul Temple , which was wonderful, brilliantly done. It had a train’s motion on it and the whole nation loved it. These were the war years so doodlebugs and bombs were bloody coming over and we had an air raid shelter in the back garden. We had staying with us two Polish pilots who’d shot down lots of Messerschmitts. People were very frightened of it all but I loved it, for the kids it was exciting.”

The song I wish I’d written

Enya – ‘Orinoco Flow’

“It’s fabulous and it reminds me of my expeditions in South America when I went to the lost world in Venezuela and crashed into the forest and managed to survive and work my way out. I was there to climb the highest mountain in South America, Aconcagua, 23,000 feet high. Enya ’s music says it all. ‘Orinoco Flow’ is genius.”

The song I do at karaoke

Pavarotti – ‘O Sole Mio’

“A few years ago they had that programme Stars In Their Eyes and Kenneth Branagh, who I know, said ‘you’re not frightened of anything?’ and I said ‘no, Everest, nothing frightens me’. And he asked me to voice Pavarotti. I said ‘this can’t be done’. When I was in the musical Cats , there was Luciano Pavarotti backstage one day and [opera singers from The Three Tenors] Plácido Domingo and José Carreras – and they bowed to him. I said ‘why do you bow?’ ‘Because he is the greatest of all, he has the greatest voice’. So I walked onto the stage at Granada Television to do Stars In Their Eyes as Pavarotti, which is a tall order. The make-up was fantastic, I looked exactly like him. I walk through the mist and the audience applaud going ‘well he looks like him but does he sound like him?’ And then to their shock and amazement, [sings, almost breaking dictaphone] “OH SOLE-MEEEEEOOOO!” And I won. That’s my karaoke.”

The song I can’t get out of my head

Jimmy Young – ‘Unchained Melody’

“He does it so simply. My first love, she was called Nancy, beautiful woman, black hair and black eyes, I met her on a drama course. It was the first time I was in love in my life and this made me think of her all the time and shaped me emotionally. We only held hands but that song was being played all the time and it reminds me of her because I could never get to see her. She lived 20 miles away, which was hard for me then, and we couldn’t date each other, we’d write letters.”

The song I can no longer listen to

John Keating And His Orchestra – ‘Theme From Z-Cars’

“It’s a fabulous piece of music, which they play at Everton and Tranmere Rovers [football grounds]. The only reason I say is because there was a large cast of regulars – Jock, Lynch, Steele and the inspector and sergeants – and they’re all dead. I’m the only one alive. So when it’s on television I just close my ears because it makes me weep. I’m going on from strength to strength, I get fitter and fitter and fitter, I train a lot and I’m fit and strong and I go on expeditions to Everest and the North Pole, and they’ve all bloody died. Twelve of them, I can’t believe it.”

The song that makes me want to dance

Nancy Sinatra – ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’’

“I wear really strong boots on Mount Everest and when I’m up there, as I’m walking on the glaciers, I sometimes find myself dancing on the glaciers of Mount Everest to Nancy Sinatra ’s ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’’. I dance on the lower slopes of Mount Everest.”

The song I want played at my ‘funeral’

Not applicable

“I’m never gonna fucking die. Bollocks to death. As John Donne the poem said, ‘Death, thou shalt die’. The only thing that dies in life is death. I’ll live forever love. I’ll go on and on and on transcending different spheres. We are the children of stardust, yearning for stars. No love, you’ll never get me dying, fuck death. And I’ll not make a pact with old age. I’m sick of people making pacts with old age. It’s not how old you are, it’s how you are old.

“As regards to my funeral, I’ll kick death into the middle of next fucking week. I don’t die, love. Can I have another one in light of the fact that I’m not going to die? Maybe ‘Flash’. Everywhere I go, people ask me to say ‘Gordon’s alive’. GORDON’S ALIVE! I was near the North Pole, I remember getting there with a British expedition, and a fucking submarine came through the ice like Sean Connery’s …Red October . The captain came out and looked at me and said ‘oh, it’s him, please say Gordon’s alive…’ It’s a celebration of life. So everyone can say ‘Gordon’s alive’ and ‘Brian’s alive’ and I’m not dead and I’ll never fucking die. Fuck death.”

‘Tubular Bells: A 50th Anniversary Celebration’, the album featuring Brian Blessed & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is out October 28 on Cleopatra Records, and tours from October 31

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Overboard with Brian Blessed

Festival Pier

Description

• Comedy, Something A Little Different and Boat Party
• Tickets from £60.00
• This event has taken place.
• Multiple start times (see ticket info)

gordon's alive!

Ahoy there shipmates! Join unofficial tour-guide  Brian Blessed  for a once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing tour along the Thames in central London. Cruise past iconic London landmarks as the certified national treasure hosts an afternoon of anecdotes, entertainment and a trip down memory lane. Brian will be there in-person, live and on-board!

General admission: £60.00 + booking fee

Included in the ticket price is 

1.5 hour cruise along the Thames.

Free drink on arrival choice of lager, prosecco or soft drink.

In-person entertainment and anecdotes from National Treasure, Brian Blessed. 

Photo opportunity with Brian time permitting. 

Time for drinks & sight-seeing during the interval on the upper deck. 

Question & Answer opportunity with Brian on the return leg of the journey. 

CRUISE TIMES

Board 13:15 reception drink

Depart 13:30 

Interval half way through for c. 20 mins. Bar open, plus ‘meet and greet with Brian’ time permitting and opportunity to go onto upper deck.

Return 15:15

Board 15:45 reception drink

Depart 16:00  

Return: 17:30

- Is Brian really going to be there?

Yes! National Treasure Brian Blessed will be on-board and regaling the audience with anecdotes & entertainment as the boat cruises leisurely down the Thames. 

- How does it all work?

You will embark the boat at your designated time please don't be late! and then spend 45 mins gliding past London landmarks with Captain Brian at the helm. After that, there'll be a short interval and an opportunity to go onto the upper deck; take photos; grab a drink at the bar; and situation permitting, meet & greet Brian. Following the interval, on the return leg, we will have a Q & A session where you can ask Brian any burning questions. 

- Is the event inside or outside?

The show takes place inside with panoramic views of the Thames & London landmarks. Although, of course, Brian is the main attraction. During the interval, there is an opportunity to head to the upper deck and soak up the sun weather permitting! As well as take some photos. 

- Is there food and drink available for purchase?

Customers can purchase a drink during the interval and then until the end of the cruise. Drinks are not available to buy prior to the interval to avoid long queues when embarking the boat prior to the event. However, all tickets include a FREE drink on arrival which you will pick up before taking your seats. No food is being sold on this trip and your own food is not permitted, so please make sure you're well fed before attending. 

- Is there a minimum age? 

Due to alcohol being sold and Brian's fairly frequent potty mouth, this show is 18+. 

- What's the loo situation?

There are plenty of loos onboard. 

- Do you have wheelchair access?

• Accessibility requirements must be checked with the organiser prior to booking

terms & conditions

• Ticket refunds are available up until 14 days before the event. After that, they are non-refundable except in exceptional circumstances. 
• In the event of cruise cancellation by the organisers, a full refund will be issued. Booking fees are non-refundable.
• In the event of either cruise not being able to operate due to Government or Public Health Advice, your ticket will be automatically transferred to a new date. Similarly, in the event of illness with respect to Brian, your ticket will be carried over to a rescheduled date.
• Please be punctual. It is your responsibility to arrive at the correct Pier for embarking on time - the boat cannot wait for latecomers and refunds will not be given. 
• Age limit is 18+. 
• Own food & drink are not permitted except drinking water. 

Tickets/Times

Festival Pier, South Bank, London, SE1 8XZ

Getting there

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1. The ticket holder voluntarily assumes all risks and danger incidental to the event for which the ticket is issued, whether occurring prior, during or after the event. The ticket holder voluntarily agrees that the management, venue, event participants, DesignMyNight WFL Media Ltd and all of their respective agents, officers, directors, owners and employers are expressly released by the ticket holder from any claims arising from such causes. 2. Tickets are issued subject to the rules and regulations of the venue. 3. Please check your tickets, as mistakes cannot always be rectified. 4. Occasionally, events are cancelled or postponed by the promoter, team, performer or venue for a variety of reasons. If the event is cancelled, please contact us for information on receiving a refund from the responsible party. If the event was moved or rescheduled, the venue or promoter may set refund limitations. It is your responsibility to ascertain the date and time of any rearranged event. 5. The venue reserves the right to refuse admission and may on occasion have to conduct security searches to ensure the safety of the patrons. 6. Every effort to admit latecomers will be made at a suitable break in the event, but admission cannot always be guaranteed. 7. We regret that tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase. 8. Tickets are sold subject to the venue or promoter's right to alter or vary the programme due to events or circumstances beyond its control without being obliged to refund monies or exchange tickets. 9. If this ticket is re-sold or transferred for profit or commercial gain by anyone other than the promoter, venue management, DesignMyNight or one of their authorised sub-agents, it will become voidable and the holder may be refused entry to or ejected from the venue. 10. The venue may operate a No Smoking Policy. 11. The promoter, venue management and DesignMyNight accept no responsibility for any personal property. 12. The event listed on the purchased ticket is strictly for ticket holders who are over 18 years of age. Identification may be required.

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You are here: Events > Hobbs of Henley - Overboard with Brian Blessed!

Hobbs of Henley - Overboard with Brian Blessed!

Type: participatory event.

Tel: +44 01491 572035

Fax : +44 01491 576124

Visit Website

Ahoy there shipmates! Join (un)official tour-guide Brian Blessed for a once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing tour along the Thames on our flagship vessel The New Orleans!

Enjoy a free drink on arrival and cruise through Henley’s history accompanied by live commentary from the adventurer and beloved actor. Take in beautiful views of the Thames as “Captain Brian” entertains you with anecdotes, stories and a tongue-in-cheek tour of Henley by boat. Plus, on the return leg of the journey, ask this national treasure any burning question you have for him in an interactive Q&A.

The event is presented by Giddy Aunt Comedy.

Guide Prices

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

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Brian Blessed

Art department.

IMDbPro Starmeter See rank

• Contact info
• 6 wins & 8 nominations

• Prince Vultan

• Boss Nass (voice)

• Clayton (voice)

• Merlin (voice)

• Additional Voices (voice)

• Shouty Shirt
• 13 episodes

• Jack Kleghorn (voice)

• Wise Old Margatian

• Charlemagne (voice)

• Red Ivan (voice)

• Abraham Longshanks (voice)

• Narrator (voice)

• artistic advisor
• In-development projects at IMDbPro

Personal details

• 5′ 9¾″ (1.77 m)
• October 9 , 1936
• Mexborough, Yorkshire, England, UK
• Spouses Hildegard Neil December 28, 1978 - September 19, 2023 (her death, 1 child)
• Parents William Blessed
• Other works He was a member of the original London cast of "Cats" back in 1981. He appeared in both the roles of "Old Deuteronomy" and "Bustopher Jones"
• 1 Print Biography
• 1 Portrayal
• 2 Interviews
• 1 Magazine Cover Photo

Did you know

• Trivia He is the oldest person to have reached both the geographical North Pole and the magnetic North Pole.
• Quotes [on William Shakespeare ] The blue planet has had its author. It would be greedy to want another.
• Trademarks Booming operatic voice
• Flash Gordon ( 1980 ) £30,000
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Don't Sleep In The Subway Petula Clark

Tubular Bells gets 50th anniversary UK tour with Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and... Brian Blessed

23 March 2022, 10:29 | Updated: 23 March 2022, 17:44

Tubular Bells in The Exorcist

By Mayer Nissim

Tubular Bells! With The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra! AND Brian Blessed!!!

Listen to this article

Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells was a slow starter, taking a couple of months to climb into the UK albums charts after it was first released in May 1973.

It gathered pace over the years, and the first-ever Virgin Records album has now sold over 2.7 million copies in the UK and 15 million worldwide.

• QUIZ: Can you name these iconic albums from an EXTREME closeup?

It's spawned a number of sequel albums and spinoffs, and for its 50th anniversary it will be celebrated with three very special live shows in Nottingham, London and Birmingham.

It is being presented live by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra with band and singers from the London Contemporary Voices Choir and Ells Shaw, arranged and conducted by Simon Dobson.

Brian Blessed will be the compere for the shows, and will also perform the parts of the Master of Ceremonies and The Caveman.

"I must say it is a great honour to be part of such an iconic work of art," said Blessed.

"I first became aware of the legendary album in 1973 when I was appearing in I Claudius as Emperor Augustus Caesar for the BBC TV.

He added: "I must confess I was mesmerised at the time by Mike Oldfield's creation.

"I am thrilled to bits to be given the opportunity to work with Simon and the orchestra to bring this wonderful music to life."

Simon Dobson added: "The show will be a glorious technicolour tribute to T ubular Bells , one of the most iconic and seminal albums of all time.

We aim to build on the legacy of this incredible music and bring a modern reworking to life with huge musical forces, projection mapping and special guests."

Producer Martin Gernon said: " Tubular Bells is one of the most iconic pieces of 20th century British Music.

"To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its launch with this spectacular new show and new recording with the Royal Philharmonic and some of the best session musicians in the UK, is an absolute privilege and honour, but also a huge responsibility.

Theme from Part One - Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells: Live in Concert

"The audience will experience not only incredible music, but accompanying visuals and lighting that will create a feast for the senses."

The album will be played fully live, and the concert will also feature 'Ommadawn Part 1' and 'Hergest Ridge Part 1'.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 25. The full tour dates are as follows:

• October 31 – Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
• November 1 – Royal Albert Hall, London
• November 3 – Birmingham Symphony Hall

A companion album will be released later this year.

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Hall Of Fame

An interview with Brian Blessed

BRIAN Blessed feels as strong and mentally adroit as he did at 20.

“All this old age c**p,” says the 82-year-old South Yorkshire actor, presenter, writer and adventurer.

“Death does not exist. Life is the last word,” he insists. “Gordon’s alive,” he once famously said in Flash Gordon, and Brian Blessed is very much alive too, soon to head out on the road with his chat show, An Evening With Brian Blessed.

“I do two hours of weights and cycling each day,” he says, ahead of his September 3 show at the Grand Opera House in York. “I train, not because of vanity, but because of the expeditions I still want to do, such as climbing the five great mountains of northern Russia.”

On screen, he has starred in everything from 115 episodes as PC “Fancy” Smith in Z-Cars to Doctor Who, Flash Gordon to Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespeare films. On stage, his credits range from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. His trademark stentorian voice has been put to myriad tasks, from voicing the Peppa Pig character Grampy Rabbit to being a voice download on TomTom’s sat-nav system.

However, there is much more to the life of Brian, and so his anecdotes will take in not only his  hearty, king-sized portrayals on film and television, but also his adventuring, 

“The best actors are vagabonds, beggars. It’s a great art, but it’s pretending,” he says. “As Hamlet says, playing is holding up a mirror to nature, to life, but of course climbing Everest or going into space IS life.”

His relish for exploring and mountaineering has led Brian to climb Everest three times without oxygen, undertake an expedition to the jungles of Venezuela and become the oldest man to go to the North Pole on foot.

“But my biggest love is space,” he says. “I’m a fully trained cosmonaut. I trained with NASA and at Space City in Moscow, testing prototype suits with lots of mountaineers and microbiologists on Reunion Island.

“To help the space programme, about seven years ago, we filmed on this volcanic island, simulating climbing the highest mountain on Mars, Olympus Mons.”

Brian says with utter conviction: “I will go into space…because I truly believe we are children of stardust and we can’t keep remaining in the cradle. We have to go out there.

“I meet thousands of children at the National Space Centre at Leicester and they all want to go into space.

“I don’t see barriers. I have great belief that you must fulfil your dreams, you must go for it; don’t let them grind you down. We all have special gifts guarded by a guardian angel, and we must each strive to fulfil our ambitions.”

The best advice Brian took came from Sir John Hunt, leader of the successful 1953 British expedition to Mount Everest. “He said, ‘the greatest danger in life is not taking the adventure’. All kinds of things in life can be your Everest, but take the adventure,” he urges.

The son of a miner at Hickleton Main, brought up in the pit village of Goldthorpe, near Mexborough, Brian has always “taken the adventure”, whether winning a scholarship to study at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School or being president of the Council for National Parks for seven years up to 2007.

He feels his name has been a blessing. “My ancestor was a warrior, very badly wounded at the Battle of Hastings, where William the Conqueror gave him the name Blesse (add an ACUTE),” he reveals. 

“I wouldn’t want to have any other name than Blessed. I just think it’s the most perfect name.”

Likewise, Brian could not imagine shaving off his trademark bushy beard. “It must have been when I played Augustus Caesar in I, Claudius in 1976 that I last didn’t have a beard. It’s absolutely me; I’d be lost without it,” he says, recalling his favourite role to boot, before playfully imagining one of the birds nesting by his home thinking “I could imagine nesting in that beard!”.

Brian lives very close to Cobham, in Surrey, where his garden extends to four or five acres. “I love gardening,” he says. “I have a Buddhist garden and an African garden, with figures of a 20ft giraffe, elephants and gorillas. It’s full of birds and bees, as I have beehives too.”

As well as exercising, training his voice and gardening, Brian likes to designate periods of silence in his daily routine. This may surprise you, given how he is associated with having a booming voice, once further strengthened by six weeks of training as an operatic Wagnerian tenor.

“Apparently York University has a Brian Blessed Quiet Room: how delightful,” he says.

It may have been an ironic gesture when the University of York students’ union passed a mandate in January 2011 for a study space to be re-crowned the Brian Blessed Centre for Quiet Study, but Blessed’s good friend Kenneth Branagh is on record as saying “he’s the quietest man I’ve ever met”.

“I’ve always said my biggest joy in life is quiet and meditation,” says Brian.

Please note, An Evening With Brian Blessed “may not be suitable for people of a nervous disposition”, or so the publicity says. “That’s publicity nonsense,” Brian retorts. “I’m not going to make anyone nervous. I’m going to make them happy!”

An Evening With Brian Blessed, Grand Opera House, York, September 3, 7.30pm. Tickets: £26.25 upwards on 0844 871 3024 or at  atgtickets.com/york .

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Brian Blessed to MC Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells at new live performance

Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells will be performed live by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra later this year

Actor Brian Blessed OBE will compere a short run of special live shows to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Mike Oldfield 's groundbreaking 1973 debut album Tubular Bells later this year,

The actor, who also acted as compere and narrator at Rick Wakeman's Six Wives Of Henry VIII shows at Hampton Court back in 2009 , will also be performing the iconic parts of the Master of Ceremonies and The Caveman for the piece, which will be performed in its entirety by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Simon Dobson and with band and singers from the London Contemporary Voices Choir and Ellis Shaw.

The iconic album will be played in full, as well as Ommadawn Part 1 and Hergest Ridge Part 1 . Mike Oldfield will not be performing.

“I must say it is a great honour to be part of such an iconic work of art," says Blessed. "I first became aware of the legendary album in 1973 when I was appearing in I Claudius as the Emperor Augustus Caesar for the BBC TV. I must confess I was mesmerised at the time by Mike Oldfield’s creation. I am thrilled to bits to be given the opportunity to work with Simon and the orchestra to bring this wonderful music to life."

“The show will be a glorious technicolour tribute to Tubular Bells , one of the most iconic and seminal albums of all time," says arranger and conductor Dobson. "We aim to build on the legacy of this incredible music and bring a modern reworking to life with huge musical forces, projection mapping and special guests."

The shows take place at: Oct 31: Nottingham Royal Concert Hall Nov 1: London Royal Albert Hall Nov 2: Birmingham Symphony Hall

Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 25. A companion album will be released later this year,

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Writer and broadcaster Jerry Ewing is the Editor of Prog Magazine which he founded for Future Publishing in 2009. He grew up in Sydney and began his writing career in London for Metal Forces magazine in 1989. He has since written for Metal Hammer, Maxim, Vox, Stuff and Bizarre magazines, among others. He created and edited Classic Rock Magazine for Dennis Publishing in 1998 and is the author of a variety of books on both music and sport, including Wonderous Stories; A Journey Through The Landscape Of Progressive Rock.

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Brian Blessed to Host Sightseeing Tour Along the Thames on New Orleans

Actor, adventurer and OBE Brian Blessed  will be giving a once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing tour along the Thames on 8 May aboard Hobbs of Henley’s New Orleans boat. Bringing his trademark wit, humour and ‘delicate’ tones, guests can enjoy a relaxing cruise through Henley (and beyond) accompanied by live commentary from Blessed.

He will be entertaining the audience with anecdotes, stories, and a tongue-in-cheek tour of the surrounding areas. On the return leg on the journey, guests will have the opportunity to ask the national treasure any burning questions they may have, with an interactive Q and A. Guests can also expect a free drink on arrival.

This highly exclusive event is being presented by Hobbs of Henley on their flagship boat, The New Orleans. With only 100 seats per cruise, early booking is advised to avoid disappointment. Two cruises will be taking place on the same day, from 2-3.30pm and then 4-5.30pm.

On the event, Brian says: “Gordon’s Alive! I’m over the moon to be captaining the ship this May! I hope it floats your boat and won’t be too much of an oar-deal!”

Suzy Hobbs, Business Development Manager at Hobbs of Henley, says: “We’re delighted to welcome Brian aboard The New Orleans for this very special event in Henley, we think he’ll be a fantastically entertaining addition to this years’ line up of events at Hobbs!”

Tickets are available now via HobbsOfHenley.com priced £50.

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TUBULAR BELLS

50th  anniversary celebration.

BRIAN BLESSED

The son of a South Yorkshire coal miner, Brian Blessed was born in 1936 in Mexborough and grew up in the mining village of Goldthorpe. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before beginning a distinguished and varied career, which has encompassed all media. Brian is now one of this country’s best known and most highly respected actors.

Brian created the role of ‘Old Deuteronomy’ in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highly successful musical, CATS, for which he received a SWET nomination. He also starred as ‘John Freeman’ in the West End musical METROPOLIS. Whilst a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company he played ‘Claudius’ in HAMLET, ‘Exeter’ in HENRY V and ‘Hastings’ in RICHARD III. At the Royal National Theatre he created ‘Maxim Gorky’ in Robert Bolt’s STATE OF REVOLUTION and played the role of ‘Sir Tunbelly Clumsey’ in THE RELAPSE, directed by Trevor Nunn. He also played ‘Henry II’ in THE LION IN WINTER at Basingstoke and he created the role of ‘Baron Bomburst’ in the original cast of the hugely successful musical, CHITTY, BANG, BANG at the London Palladium.

Countless television roles include; ‘Augustus Caesar’ in I CLAUDIUS for which he received the New York Critics Award; ‘PC Fancy Smith’ in Z CARS; ‘Porthos’ in THE THREE MUSKETEERS; ‘Pepone’ in THE LITTLE WORLD OF DON CAMILLO; ‘Spiro’ in MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS; the title role in THE JOY OF BACH, ‘Richard IV’ in BLACK ADDER; the larger than life ‘Squire Western’ in the BBC’s classic drama series TOM JONES, the ‘Laughing Cavalier’ in ADAM’S FAMILY TREE (YTV), ‘Mr Scottley’ in THE GREATEST STORE IN THE WORLD,  ‘Sir Morris’ in the award winning animated series THE BIG KNIGHTS (BBC) ,’Max’ in WINTER SOLSTICE ( BBC), and ‘Sir David Fawcett’ in THE ROYAL for ITV.

On Film, Brian played ‘Talthybius’ in TROJAN WOMEN in which he was thrilled to co-star with Katherine Hepburn, Irene Papas and Vanessa Redgrave. He played ‘Vultan’ in the ever popular FLASH GORDON; ‘Pedro’ in MAN OF LA MANCHA; ‘Long John Silver’ in RETURN TO TREASURE ISLAND; ‘General Zukov’ in WAR AND REMEMBRANCE and ‘Lord Locksley’ in ROBIN HOOD PRINCE OF THIEVES with Kevin Costner. In Kenneth Branagh’s HENRY V he played ‘Exeter’, in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING he played ‘Antonio’ and in HAMLET he played ‘Hamlet’s Father and the Ghost’. He played ‘Boss Nass’ in George Lucas’ STAR WARS, THE PHANTOM MENACE, ‘Pendragon’ in MERLIN - THE LEGEND BEGINS, ‘Clayton’ in Walt Disney’s TARZAN and ‘Leonidas’ in Oliver Stones’ ALEXANDER. More recently he played ‘Cardinal Piccolomini’ in THE CONCLAVE, ‘Lord Francisco del Ruiz’ in DAY OF WRATH, ‘Duke Frederick/Duke Senior’ in Kenneth Branagh’s version of AS YOU LIKE IT and the role of ‘The Pirate Captain’ in  PIRATES – BAND OF MISFITS for Ardmann.

Brian has worked with some of this country’s great orchestras. At the Royal Festival Hall he appeared with The London Symphony Orchestra and massed choirs performing Arthur Bliss’ MORNING HEROES. He followed this with the inevitable PETER AND THE WOLF with the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra in Birmingham, Prokofiev’s IVAN THE TERRIBLE with the Royal National Scottish Orchestra in Glasgow and he has recorded A YOUNG PERSONS GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA. He ‘Narrated’ KING OLAF with The Danesborough Chorus and TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED/ LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD with The BBC Concert Orchestra.

Brian has written seven books; THE TURQUOISE MOUNTAIN, THE DYNAMITE KID, NOTHING’S IMPOSSIBLE, BLESSED EVEREST, an inspiring abbreviated history of Everest, which includes many magnificent photographs, QUEST TO THE LOST WORLD, ABSOLUTE PANDEMONIUM and THE PANTHER IN MY KITCHEN. 

Brian loves writing and would write a great deal more if he could find the time!

Since the late sixties Brian has had a great love of mountaineering and a great desire to stand on ‘the top of the world’. He has been on three expeditions to Mount Everest. The first to make the film GALAHAD OF EVEREST,  a tribute to George Leigh Mallory. In 1993 he returned to Everest, this time to climb the Southern side where he reached a height of 28,000 feet – the highest a man of his age has achieved without oxygen. He returned to the Northern side in 1996 when the climb was filmed by a Channel 4 Television team as part of the ENCOUNTERS series. Brian has also completed a trek to the North Pole, an expedition to The Lost World in Venezuela, a climb to the summit of Mount Ararat in Turkey at 17,000 feet and a climb to the summit of Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia.

More recently Brian played “The Narrator” in the UK and in New York, in Prokofiev’s PETER & THE WOLF, he also played ‘Captain Goitre’ IN THE CGI SKETCH SHOW, ‘Henry Vlll’ in HENRY 8.0, and ‘The Nekross King’ in two series of ALIENS V WIZARDS all for the BBC. He also made a Second Guest Appearance as ‘The Host’ on HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU.

Brian lives in Surrey with his wife, the actress Hildegard Neil. They have one daughter, Rosalind, who is also an actress

SIMON DOBSON

Simon Dobson is an award winning composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist, and producer.

His work as principal conductor and arranger with the London based Parallax Orchestra has seen him conduct critically acclaimed sell out shows with rock and metal bands at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and Live album sessions at Abbey Road. His studio and arranging work with the same outfit has led to him working on many albums featured in the UK top 40, including the recent No. 1 album ‘For Those That Wish To Exist’ by UK band Architects. Simon also undertakes conducting duties with the Southbank Sinfonia, the Heritage Orchestra, the Metropole Orkest and the Royal Philharmonic

Simon works extensively as an orchestral arranger and alongside writing (and often performing) brass and strings for almost 40 records to date, Simon regularly writes for London’s Heritage Orchestra and Amsterdam’s famous Metropole Orkest.

Simon began his career as a composer, and after studying with a scholarship at the Royal College of Music in London, Simon has worked to commission for the last fifteen years. His arrangements have been featured at the Proms and his works for wind and brass have been performed countless times around the world, earning him three British Composer Awards (BASCAs), most recently in 2018 for his work The Turing Test. Simon continues to push boundaries within the Brass and Wind scene writing classical contemporary music and concertos that challenge players and audiences alike around the globe.

As a performer Simon regularly tours the UK as a live session musician. He has performed on over 50 albums and endorses JP Trumpets and Aston Mics. Simon was a recent recipient of the PRS Composers Fund and released his second solo album of compositions ‘MDCNL’ in 2021.

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (RPO)  

As the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) celebrates its seventy-fifth anniversary, its mission to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence and inclusive in their appeal, places the RPO at the forefront of music-making in the UK and internationally. Typically performing approximately 200 concerts each season and with a worldwide audience of more than half-a-million people, the Orchestra embraces a broad repertoire that enables it to reach the most diverse audience of any British symphony orchestra. Whilst artistic integrity remains paramount, the RPO is unafraid to push boundaries and is equally at home recording video game, film and television soundtracks and working with pop stars, as it is performing the great symphonic repertoire.  

The RPO collaborates with the most inspiring artists and was thrilled to welcome Vasily Petrenko as its new Music Director in August 2021. His appointment stands as a major landmark in the Orchestra’s history, signalling its determination to broaden the audience for orchestral music while enhancing its reputation as one of the world’s most versatile ensembles. Vasily Petrenko made his debut with the RPO at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March 2016 delivering a powerful interpretation of Mahler’s Symphony No.2, ‘Resurrection’. His rapport with the Orchestra’s players has been reaffirmed with subsequent London performances, and forthcoming plans include a series of Mahler’s choral symphonies at the Royal Albert Hall, the great works of English composers at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, and tours to Germany and leading European festivals. Vasily Petrenko joins a roster of titled conductors that includes Pinchas Zukerman (Principal Guest Conductor), Alexander Shelley (Principal Associate Conductor) and Grzegorz Nowak (Permanent Associate Conductor).

In addition to the Orchestra’s annual season of concerts in London’s Royal Albert Hall, Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall and its home Cadogan Hall, the RPO is a respected cultural ambassador and enjoys a busy schedule of international touring, performing in the world’s great concerts halls and at prestigious international festivals. 

The RPO is recognised as being the UK’s most in-demand orchestra, an accolade that would have pleased Sir Thomas Beecham, who founded the RPO in 1946. His mission was to lead a vital revival of UK orchestras after World War II and form an ensemble that comprised the finest musicians in the country. The Orchestra has since attracted a glittering list of principal conductors, including Rudolf Kempe, Antal Doráti, Walter Weller, André Previn, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Yuri Temirkanov, Daniele Gatti and Charles Dutoit. 

The RPO aims to place orchestral music at the heart of contemporary society, collaborating with creative partners to foster a deeper engagement with communities to ensure that live orchestral music is accessible to as inclusive and diverse an audience as possible. To achieve this, in 1993 the Orchestra launched RPO Resound, which has grown to become the most innovative and respected orchestral community and education programme in the UK and internationally. 

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has always been entrepreneurial and in 1986 it was the first UK orchestra to launch its own record label. The RPO has gone on to embrace advances in digital technology and now achieves nearly thirty million downloads of its recorded music each year. The Orchestra is increasingly active online (rpo.co.uk) and on social media (@rpoonline) providing audiences with the opportunity to engage with the RPO and enjoy ‘behind-the-scenes’ insights. 

Passion, versatility and uncompromising artistic standards are the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s hallmarks, and as it looks forward to an exciting future with its new Music Director, Vasily Petrenko, it will continue to be recognised as one of the world’s most open-minded, forward-thinking and accessible symphony orchestras.

RPO PLAYERS

FIRST VIOLINS: Duncan Riddell, Shana Douglas, Joana Valentinaviciute, Eriko Nagayama, Andrew Klee, Kay Chappell, Anthony Protheroe, Sophie Mather

SECOND VIOLINS: Andrew Storey, David O'Leary, Stephen Payne, Manuel Porta

VIOLAS: Abigail Fenna, Liz Varlow, Chian Lim, Esther Harling

CELLOS: Jonathan Ayling, Roberto Sorrentino, Naomi Watts, Anna Stuart

DOUBLE BASSES: Nicholas Bayley, Rupert Ring

FRENCH HORNS: Alexander Edmundson, Kathryn Saunders, Paul Gardham, Paul Cott

From classical training to musical theatre productions, pop tv career at a young age to now owning a performing arts school for children. Ella Shaw’s natural talent and frightening musical proficiency became instantly apparent to all who saw her perform. Since penning her first song age 11 and taking to the stage in a NODA Award winning production, Ella has since performed on national tv, for audiences as big as 21 thousand and hosted her own tv show on Vintage TV.  

Ella Shaw has instantly captivating vocals and star quality stage presence, described by Simon Cowell as 'MEGA, MEGA Talented'. 

MARTIN GERNON

Martin started playing drums aged 7 and since progressed to be Principal Percussionist with some of the UK’s top brass bands and ensembles. Having been involved in music all his life, Martin progressed into music media and production, and even started his own percussion label, Centre Stage Percussion, whose Tubular Bells and drums can be heard on this album.

His production company, IBB Media, put together the planning and production of this album, in which Martin features on drums.

Martin’s business life has now overtaken the time commitment necessary for full time serious playing, but he nonetheless still enjoys getting behind the kit, mainly in his favourite genre, rhythm and blues. With major new international filming, recording and touring projects now confirmed, the next few years are already looking very busy!

LONDON CONTEMPORARY VOICES  

London Contemporary Voices is  London's leading contemporary choir and is renowned for its unique collaborations with pioneering artists - including 18 Grammy winners and nominees. The choir is regularly seen at festivals across the UK, as well as TV and Radio. Previous collaborators include Imogen Heap, Alt-J, Orlando Weeks (Maccabees), Nitin Sawhney, U2, Laura Mvula, Sam Smith, Manu Delago  and Eska. The choir is in high demand after a string of successes  which include performing its second BBC Prom (Songs of Scott Walker) with Heritage Orchestra, John Grant, Susanne Sundfor, Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley. The choir also features on Elbow's UK No. 1 album Little Fictions as well as  Jools Holland's Pianola featuring a collaboration with Sir Tom Jones. They also soundtracked several Burberry  fashion shows and Imogen Heap's award winning play scores. 

SIMON ALLEN

Simon is an internationally recognised Engineer/Producer, working throughout the music industry. With a strong musical ear and a vast experience of a range of equipment backed by good scientific knowledge, Simon has become a well-trusted engineer by many high caliber artists and clients.

Unlike other established engineers/producers, Simon’s unique reputation embraces a vast range of music genres, working with a diverse range of artists in the studio and on the stage. For example, while working on rock and pop material, he has also gained a reputation as the go-to engineer for classical location recording projects in the UK. Most remarkably, Simon’s skill set is now often called upon to see a project through from studio recording to live performance on a global scale.

In addition to the work he does in music, Simon writes technical features for several international industry publications. Currently his articles can be read in PLASA Media’s publication, Lighting and Sound International, as their audio technical focus columnist.

ANDREAS GEORGALLIS

Andreas began his career with classical training in Piano and Theory at; The Royal Academy of Music and later the Trinity College of Music.

He has produced several recordings with; The Moscow Radio Orchestra, Moscow Symphony Orchestra and The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, either as composer/producer or arranger/producer. He writes music for National TV, theatre and film, proving to be a household name in Cyprus and Greece. Andreas has represented several entries to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1996, 2006 & 2014, as a composer or producer/arranger.

Used to fulfilling the role of musical director for the musicals; Les Miz, Oliver, Cats and many more that were staged in Cyprus, he is regularly found leading large productions both in the studio and live on the stage. In his 35 year career as a composer, musician, arranger, sound engineer and producer, he has been involved with over 300 productions across the world including the UK.

Jeff is a classically-trained pianist who in spite of his youthful good looks already boasts an impressive CV. In early 1980 he worked with psychedelic cult hero Nick Nicely, then went on to play with the likes of Paul Young, Alexander O'Neil, Shirley Bassey and Van Morrison. He met Martin Lawrence whilst touring with Joe Longthorne, and was invited to play on Barclay James Harvest's River Of Dreams album (for which he wrote the classical intro to "Back In The Game") and the tour which followed.

He continued his association with John on the Nexus and Revival tours with Barclay James Harvest Through The Eyes Of John Lees, and with Woolly in the live Maestoso band. Most recently, he played keyboards in the house band for the smash hit Queen musical, We Will Rock You, played keyboards in the backing band for the likes of Brian May, Peter Gabriel, Bono and Bob Geldof at the huge Nelson Mandela 46664 charity concert, and still found time to guest on Catherine Howe's Princelet Street album, released in January 2006.

Jeff is married to Sadie, and they have two children, Romy and Isla. Sadly, Jeff is a Spurs supporter ...

TOM EDWARDS

Tom Edwards is a British orchestral and session percussionist living and working in London. After studying percussion and timpani at the Royal Academy Of Music Tom began working with many of the UK’s most prominent orchestras and ensembles, whilst also performing and recording as a member of the rock band Spiritualized for 16 years playing percussion and keyboards.

Tom currently freelances as an orchestral percussionist working regularly with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic and BBC orchestras among others, and has recorded numerous film & tv soundtracks for composers such as John Williams, Alexander Desplat, David Arnold, Michael Giacchino, Bryan Tyler and Chris Lennertz. Other musical credits include string arranging for several Spiritualized albums, and for the recent 2022 album from Marsden & Richardson. 

KEVIN EARLEY

Kevin is Principal Percussion of The Royal Ballet Sinfonia, joining the orchestra shortly before graduating from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Performing primarily with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Kevin has also worked with most of the worlds other leading ballet companies, and has collaborated closely with composers including John McCabe, Carl Davis, Gabriel Prokofiev and most recently as solo percussionist with

Mathias Coppens on his new score, City of a Thousand Trades. Kevin has performed with most of the major London orchestras, most notably with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, with which he has toured and recorded extensively, regularly as guest Principal Percussion.

In the rock and pop world Kevin was percussionist on the 2007 concert Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, and has recorded/toured with artists including Sting, The Pet Shop Boys, Boney M, Pete

Townshend and with the space rock band Spiritualized.

Internationally, he has performed with artists as diverse as A.R.Rahman (India), Seo Taiji (South Korea), Zade Dirani (Jordan) and Eddy Grant (Barbados).

PETE CALLARD

Pete Callard graduated as ‘Outstanding Student of the Year’ from Musicians' Institute in Hollywood, California. His many credits include Lionel Richie, Queen, Sting, Stewart Copeland, Annie Lennox, The Bee Gees, Ronan Keating, Will Young, Shirley Bassey and Chaka Khan, alongside numerous TV shows, films and recordings, and regular performances/recordings with the major UK orchestras. He also leads his own jazz quartet and trio and is a member of the electronica outfit Shpongle, with whom he’s recorded multiple albums and performed around the world.

In the guitar community he’s perhaps best known for his regular columns in Guitar Techniques, Guitarist and Total Guitar magazines, and online for his educational videos for Six String Alliance, Produce Like A Pro and his own YouTube channel Pete recorded all of the guitars for the Tubular Bells 50 album, and is thrilled to now have the opportunity to recreate it live

Andy has been a major contributor to the UK bass world for more than 40 years. He was a member of ‘Landscape’ whose single Einstein a Go Go was a top five hit. He has recorded with countless artists as diverse as Freddie Mercury and Elaine Page. His TV work includes the house band on the Wogan chat for four years and Stars in Their Eyes for fifteen years.

Andy’s compositions include the theme to the long running UK police show “The Bill” and touring has taken him to 20%of the worlds countries, some many times over, and includes Elaine Paige, Veronique Sanson and, since 2016, extensive world touring as a member of Hans Zimmer’s band.

• Gift Vouchers

Brian Blessed

7th June 2022

Price: £26.50

Larger than life actor, writer and presenter Brian Blessed is known for his hearty, king-sized portrayals on film and television. 

A giant of a man accompanied by an eloquent wit and booming, operatic voice, he is also an avid explorer and climber and ‘An Evening with Brian Blessed’ will combine anecdotes from his illustrious acting career with tales of his adventuring.  

With a career spanning more than 50 years, there is no shortage of material. On screen, he has appeared in everything from Doctor Who to Kenneth Branagh's Shakespeare films. On stage his credits range from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. And his trademark booming voice has also featured on everything from Peppa Pig character Grampy Rabbit to a voice download on TomTom's sat nav system.

He is also an avid climber and will also be talking about his Everest climb without oxygen; his expedition to the jungles of Venezuela during which he survived a plane crash; his trek to the North Pole (he is the oldest man to go to the Pole on foot) and his many hours of space training in Russia!

The show is an experience that nobody should miss!  His eloquence and humour will have the audience captured from the moment he walks on stage until the moment he leaves.

His show may not be suitable for people of a nervous disposition or those who aren’t expecting the odd expletive!

Upcoming Events

Oklahoma, America, just after the turn of the century. High-spirited rivalry between farmers and cowboys provides a colourful backdrop for Curly McLain...

With an infectiously unforgettable score from Stephen Schwarz, BMCC presents Pippin.  Pippin is the story of one man's journey to be extraordinary. ...

Redgrave Theatre

Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE

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Box Office (Phone)

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Blackadder legend Brian Blessed set to make waves as Thames river tour guide

EXCLUSIVE: Bladadder legend Brian Blessed is set to become a captain for the night offering fans a "once in a lifetime" chance to tune in to 90-minutes of his titanic tones as they sail down the river

• 21:32, 4 FEB 2022

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Top actor Brian 'Booming' Blessed is to turn tour guide after announcing he will be taking passengers up and down the Thames on a river boat cruise.

The loud-voiced legend will become a captain for the night - just like his sea-loving Peppa Pig character Grampy Rabbit - offering fans a `once in a lifetime’ chance to tune in to 90-minutes of his titanic tones as they sail down the river.

The Flash Gordon, Blackadder and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace star will provide live commentary and entertainment throughout the journey.

On board Brian, 85, an avid Daily Star reader, will share anecdotes and trivia of London’s history as well as tales from his lengthy showbiz career.

The actor - famed for his `Gordon’s Alive’ cry in the 1980 space opera movie about the comic book superhero - promises to treat cruisers to a tongue-in-cheek guide to some of his favourite haunts in the capital.

An ad posted on Brian’s social media reads: "Ahoy there shipmates!

"Join (un) official tour guide Brian Blessed for a once in a lifetime sightseeing tour along the Thames!

"With two trips on the same day, pick your time and spend 90 minutes with Captain Brian cruising down the Thames.

"Enjoy a free drink and cruise through Henley’s history accompanied by live commentary from the adventurer and beloved actor.

"Take in beautiful views as `Captain Brian’ entertains you with anecdotes, stories and a tongue in cheek tour of Henley by boat.

"Plus, on the return journey, ask the national treasure any burning question you have.’"

Tickets costing £50-per-person are selling quickly.

Brian has often expressed his love of travelling by boat and once claimed he rowed down a Malaysian river in a canoe captained by an orangutan.

For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here

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Blackadder legend Brian Blessed set to make waves as Thames river tour guide

Top actor Brian 'Booming' Blessed is to turn tour guide after announcing he will be taking passengers up and down the Thames on a river boat cruise.

The loud-voiced legend will become a captain for the night – just like his sea-loving Peppa Pig character Grampy Rabbit – offering fans a `once in a lifetime’ chance to tune in to 90-minutes of his titanic tones as they sail down the river.

The Flash Gordon, Blackadder and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace star will provide live commentary and entertainment throughout the journey.

On board Brian, 85, an avid Daily Star reader, will share anecdotes and trivia of London’s history as well as tales from his lengthy showbiz career.

The actor – famed for his `Gordon’s Alive’ cry in the 1980 space opera movie about the comic book superhero – promises to treat cruisers to a tongue-in-cheek guide to some of his favourite haunts in the capital.

An ad posted on Brian’s social media reads: "Ahoy there shipmates!

"Join (un) official tour guide Brian Blessed for a once in a lifetime sightseeing tour along the Thames!

"With two trips on the same day, pick your time and spend 90 minutes with Captain Brian cruising down the Thames.

"Enjoy a free drink and cruise through Henley’s history accompanied by live commentary from the adventurer and beloved actor.

"Take in beautiful views as `Captain Brian’ entertains you with anecdotes, stories and a tongue in cheek tour of Henley by boat.

"Plus, on the return journey, ask the national treasure any burning question you have.’"

Tickets costing £50-per-person are selling quickly.

Brian has often expressed his love of travelling by boat and once claimed he rowed down a Malaysian river in a canoe captained by an orangutan.

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Tubular Bells Tour – with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra Ft Brian Blessed

Tubular Bells – one of the most ground-breaking albums of all time – will be presented live with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra this Autumn. The iconic album will be played in full, as well as Ommadawn Part 1 and Hergest Ridge Part 1.

Actor Brian Blessed OBE will act as compere for the concerts, as well as performing the iconic parts of the Master of Ceremonies and The Caveman.

The trio of shows come ahead of the 50th anniversary of Tubular Bells, with a companion album also set for release later this year.

Conducted and arranged by Simon Dobson, Tubular Bells will be presented in its original glory performed totally live without the use of any stems, with the session band joined by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra; presenting the music in a brand new but faithful way.

The musicians will perform to a stunning visual backdrop that use the latest projection mapping technology.

Simon Dobson comments, “The show will be a glorious technicolour tribute to Tubular Bells, one of the most iconic and seminal albums of all time. We aim to build on the legacy of this incredible music and bring a modern reworking to life with huge musical forces, projection mapping and special guests”.

Producer Martin Gernon comments, “Tubular Bells is one of the most iconic pieces of 20th century British Music. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its launch with this spectacular new show and new recording with the Royal Philharmonic and some of the best session musicians in the UK, is an absolute privilege and honour, but also a huge responsibility. The audience will experience not only incredible music, but accompanying visuals and lighting that will create a feast for the senses. If that was not all, we are delighted that Brian Blessed OBE will be performing the Master of Ceremonies and The Caveman role on both album and live shows, in his own inimitable way. It’s not to be missed.”

Brian Blessed concludes, “I must say it is a great honour to be part of such an iconic work of art. I first became aware of the legendary album in 1973 when I was appearing in “I Claudius” as the Emperor Augustus Caesar for the BBC TV. I must confess I was mesmerised at the time by Mike Oldfield’s creation. I am thrilled to bits to be given the opportunity to work with Simon and the orchestra to bring this wonderful music to life”.

Tickets available from ticketline.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk or venue box offices

OCTOBER 31           NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CONCERT HALL NOVEMBER 1          LONDON ROYAL ALBERT HALL NOVEMBER 3          BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL

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