For lovers of both Star Wars and film scores, the latest concert announcement from the Royal Albert Hall is basically heaven: Star Wars: A New Hope will be the next instalment in the Films in Concert event.
The film is set to play at the RAH in November this year with the London Symphony Orchestra accompanying it, playing John Williams’ iconic music live on stage.
The Royal Albert Hall’s Artistic Director Lucy Noble said: “During our nine years of pioneering the Films in Concert concept, there’s one movie that’s been requested more than any other, and that’s Star Wars: A New Hope. We’re ecstatic to announce its UK debut at the Hall this November, with the London Symphony Orchestra confirmed for this once-in-a-lifetime show. There’s simply no film – or score – that’s more iconic.”
Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the London Symphony Orchestra, said: “The London Symphony Orchestra has a deep and long-lasting relationship with John Williams and particularly his music for the Star Wars films, having recorded the soundtracks for the first six episodes. The music of Star Wars is in the LSO blood and we are delighted to be involved in what will surely be a memorable series of performances.”
You can catch Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 16 November (7:30pm), Saturday 17 November (2pm and 7:30pm) and Sunday 18 November (2pm and 6:30pm) 2018. Tickets are priced between £35-£85. To book, call the RAH box office on 020 7589 8212 or visit the website: https://www.royalalberthall.com/.
If you can’t be bothered to trek all the way over to London, here’s a list of other tour dates (promoted by Senbla):
28 November – Liverpool Echo Arena
29 November – Bournemouth International Centre
1 December – Manchester Arena
5 December – 3Arena, Dublin
7 December – Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
8 December – First Direct Arena, Leeds
9 December – SEC Centre, Glasgow
Please note, the LSO are only confirmed for the Royal Albert Hall dates. The Novello Orchestra are confirmed for the rest.
You can read the RAH’s synopsis for Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert here:
Set 30 years after Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: A New Hope, the fourth episode of the saga, returns to the desert planet of Tatooine. A young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) begins to discover his destiny when, searching for a lost droid, he is saved by reclusive Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness).
A civil war rages in the galaxy, and Rebel forces struggle against the evil Galactic Empire as Luke and Obi-Wan enlist the aid of hotshot pilot, Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Joined by the quirky droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO, the unlikely team sets out to rescue Rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and make use of the stolen plans to destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon. In a legendary confrontation, the rogue group mounts an attack against the Death Star for a climactic battle with the evil Sith Lord, Darth Vader.
The film has so far spawned eight sequels and prequels, including Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which received its European premiere at the Royal Albert Hall last month. The film was the biggest hit of 2017 in both the UK and Ireland.
John Williams’ iconic, transcendent score for the 1977 original is one of the most renowned in film history, winning him an Oscar and being selected by the American Film Institute as the greatest ever written.
For more information on the Royal Albert Hall and the Films in Concert event, visit the official website.