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PRESS
RELEASES
VARIETY
FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE GLOBE
Posted
23rd July 2003
Against
the spectacular backdrop of Scotland's top tourist attraction,
over 1,000 international performers, 20 horses, 150 dancers, 20
motorcycles, and one or two surprises, are set to provide a wealth
of peerless entertainment at this year's 54th Tattoo on the floodlit
esplanade of Edinburgh Castle from August 1-23.
Opening
the 2003 proceedings is a specially-commissioned fanfare written
to commemorate the 400th anniversary of when the English and Scottish
Crowns became united - entitled 'Union of the Crowns' - which
will be performed at the start of each show during the three-week
spectacular. The piece, composed and directed by Major Stephen
Smith, Director of Music, The Royal Artillery and Principal Tattoo
Director of Music, will receive its premiere before traditional
favourites, the Massed Pipes & Drums enter the Arena.
"In
contrast to the pomp and ceremony of the 2002 Tattoo this production
will resonate enormous colour and variety, embracing the talents
of performers from 8 countries from around the world and includes
a particularly strong home team," said Tattoo Chief Executive
& Producer, Brigadier Melville Jameson.
Over
200 pipers will advance across the Castle Drawbridge playing stirring
renditions of Scottish tunes such as 'Mrs MacLeod of Raasay' and
'The Return of the Stone'.
They
comprise the Pipes and Drums of The Scots Guards, The Royal Scots,
The Black Watch, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and The
Royal Gurkha Rifles, who appeared in last year's record-breaking
Tattoo. They are accompanied by The Royal Artillery and representatives
of Scotland's Universities Officers' Training Corps. While from
overseas making their second visit to Edinburgh, are New Zealand's
Dunedin (one of the Scottish Capital's Southern Hemisphere twin
cities) Pipe Band, together with The Royal Army of Oman and South
Australian pipers and drummers from Adelaide.
"The
Massed Pipes & Drums has been the main pillar of the Tattoo
for over 50 years," remarked the Brigadier. "Nowhere
else in the world can match the quality and quantity displayed
annually on Edinburgh Castle's Esplanade," he continued.
An
impressive visual and musical display will then be provided by
The Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums and Bermuda National
Gombey Troupe, making their first appearance at the Tattoo, when
some of the Atlantic paradise's finest musicians with their unique
dancers are expected to take the show by storm with a heady tropical
combination of calypso and frenzied dancing.
Said
Brigadier Jameson: "Although the main pillars of the Tattoo
are the Pipes & Drums and Military Bands from the British
Army, these days we are also presenting unique acts from across
the globe which have never been seen before in the UK."
Episodes
from 370 years of The Royal Scots - the oldest Infantry Regiment
in the British Army - illustrious history will then be colourfully
and absorbingly portrayed. Depicting 5 centuries of history, from
their formation in 1633 by Sir John Hepburn on Royal Charter from
King Charles I to dramatic moments from more recent times.
Also
among this year's attractions will be the Tattoo's Highland Dancers,
who will be joined by Canada's Schiehallion Dance ensemble from
Hamilton, Ontario. This combined 100-strong dance troupe will
provide a dazzling display set to the accompaniment of up-tempo
traditional Scottish music.
A
breathtaking demonstration of high speed, skill and courage will
then be added by the Flying Gunners Motorcycle Display Team of
The Royal Artillery. They will perform their daring act, in what
is regarded by many as a difficult arena, before concluding with
their stunning, fast moving, all action showpiece.
Another
major attraction this summer will be the appearance of The Royal
Army of Oman Band, Pipes & Drums and folklore arts troupe.
Performing by kind permission of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin
Said al Saidi, they are set to provide an impressive exhibition
of Middle Eastern music, dance and song.
And
on their first visit to the Scottish Capital is Switzerland's
Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel. This 20-strong group is set
to be a firm audience favourite with their compelling mix of contemporary
and traditional percussion.
Some
of the most unusual performers in the event's 53-year history
will then be seen by the 217,000 people who will attend this year's
Tattoo. In their first UK appearance, The Traditional Band of
the Army of the Republic of Korea will entertain 9,000 visitors
each night with a display of colour and ancient tradition from
the Far East. This group will commemorate the 50th Anniversary
of the Signing of the Armistice which ended hostilities in the
Korean War (1950-53).
Another
one of the highlights of this year's production will be the unique
precision marching and crisp rifle drill of some of the US Army's
finest soldiers. From Washington, with a series of breathtaking
routines with bayonet-tipped rifles, will be The US Army Drill
Team.
The
Regimental Band of The Royal Artillery - under the direction of
Major Stephen Smith, Director of Music, The Royal Artillery and
2003 Principal Tattoo Director of Music - will then parade along
with The Royal Irish Regiment, The Royal Logistic and The Adjutant
General's Corps with a repertoire which will include many well
known musical favourites.
A
spectacular exhibition of horsemanship will then be provided by
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery performing their renowned
Musical Drive, a precision mounted display.
They
will be joined by The Bands of The Bermuda Regiment and The Royal
Army of Oman along with Edinburgh's 50-strong Kevock Choir.
The
Massed Pipes and Drums are then set to re-join the 2003 proceedings
to add their distinctive sights and sounds. They assemble for
an exhilarating combined programme of music and movement which
boasts Westlife's chart-hit 'Queen of My Heart', and the acclaimed
'Conquest of Paradise' by Greek composer Vangelis.
The
grand finale, featuring the entire 1000-strong cast and a special
tribute to the Armed Services, brings the show to a climactic
close as the Lone Piper, high on the Castle ramparts, plays the
haunting lament, 'Sleep Dearie Sleep'.
Members
of the 1st Battalion The Royal Scots will parade each evening
during the finale sequence to provide The Guard of Honour.
"All
of us in the Tattoo team are thrilled by the extraordinary speed
of ticket applications from home and overseas this year. 50% of
the show was sold by the end of January and I'm delighted to announce
that 99.5% of the tickets have now been snapped up," said
the Tattoo's Chief Executive & Producer.
Edinburgh
Military Tattoo thanks The Royal Bank of Scotland for its ongoing
support. Sir George Mathewson, Chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland
Group said: "The Tattoo is one of the jewels in the crown
of Scotland's tourism calendar. The acts lined up for 2003 promise
yet another outstanding event and we are delighted to be supporting
it once again."
A
limited number of tickets for the 2003 Tattoo (1-23 August) may
still be available from The Tattoo Ticket Sales Office at 33-34
Market Street in Edinburgh, Tel. 08707 555 118.
Ends-
Sponsors
this year whose valuable support is gratefully acknowledged include:-
The
Royal Bank of Scotland
Dewar's World of Whisky
Ford
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh
Caledonian Brewery
For further information, please contact:
The Tattoo Office, 32 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QB
Tel: 0131 225 4783 Fax: 0131-225 8627
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