PRESS RELEASES

55th TATTOO
PROMISES TO BE MORE CAPTIVATING THAN EVER
Posted 27th July 2004

Colour, spectacle and excitement are assured ingredients at this year's 55th Edinburgh Tattoo (6-28 August) when the largest single gathering of military musicians in the United Kingdom come together against the famous backdrop of Edinburgh Castle for Scotland's traditional showcase of music, theatre and dance.

The 1,000-strong cast for 2004 includes pipers, drummers, gymnasts, fiddlers, singers and dancers, and a surprise item performed on Kudu horns. But this year's RAF themed event places the emphasis again very much on music with the experience expected to delight a record-breaking international audience with its rich diversity.

Said Tattoo Chief Executive and Producer, Brigadier Melville Jameson: "A huge contingent of over 200 Service men and women from the RAF will contribute to this year's proceedings, while overseas performers from five continents are also set to feature amongst one of the biggest casts ever gathered for the Tattoo."

A noticeably cosmopolitan atmosphere is likely as the show is set to present a wealth of talent from around the world. Show-stopping attractions such as the Military Band of the People's Liberation Army of China - preparing for their first ever UK appearance at the Tattoo in August - and making what will also be their first visit to the Scottish Capital, the spectacular Club Piruett from Estonia, who will provide an enlivening exhibition of world-class rhythmic gymnastics.

Yet this year's Tattoo opens in customary fashion with a wonderful display by the Massed Pipes & Drums as the Esplanade is filled with the stirring sound of the pipes. Over 220 pipers will advance across the Castle Drawbridge playing time-honoured favourites such as 'The Bonnie Lass O'Fyvie' and 'The Glasgow City Police Pipers'. This will be one of the largest presentations of Massed Pipes & Drums ever seen at the Tattoo, and for many, the very core of the event.

Commented the Producer: "Nowhere else in the world, in my view, can anyone witness a finer display of Massed Pipes & Drums in terms of quality, size and spectacle.

They comprise the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Regular First Battalions of The Scots Guards, The Royal Scots, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, The King's Own Scottish Borderers, and The Royal Gurkha Rifles. Each evening they are accompanied by The Royal Air Force Pipes and Drums, New Zealand's Invercargill Caledonian Pipe Band, South Africa's Cape Town Highlanders, and the Canadian Scottish Regiment from Victoria in British Columbia.

The Cheraw Cultural Dance Troupe from Mizoram in North East India, who are taking part at the Tattoo for the first time, will then add an impressive demonstration of a fascinating ancient art form.

One of the highlights of this year's production will be a breathtaking display of precision drill by The Queen's Colour Squadron of The Royal Air Force, whose skill with bayonet tipped rifles have thrilled spectators on many previous occasions.

The Tattoo Company of Dancers will then be seen with Australia's OzScot Highland Dancers in a dazzling combined contemporary Highland Dance display.

Another major attraction this summer will be the appearance of the South African Navy Band from Cape Town, whose multi-talented musicians will perform using a variety of instrumentation which, uniquely, include Kudu (water buffalo) horns.

This is followed by another UK debut as Estonia's elite gymnastics group, Club Piruett - a guaranteed crowd pleaser - execute their amazing, energetic routines at the 55th Tattoo.

Some of the finest musicians and dancers from China will then enter the Arena as an 80-strong Military Band of the People's Liberation Army of China also grace the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle for the first time. They will contribute with an enchanting exhibition of Chinese music, marching and dance.

In contrast to the colourful representations from overseas, The Bands of The Royal Air Force, comprising The Central Band of The Royal Air Force, The Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment, The Band of The Royal Air Force College and the acclaimed Squadronaires - under the direction of Wing Commander Stuart Stirling, Principal Director of Music RAF and 2004 Tattoo Director of Music - will parade along with The Band of The Dragoon Guards, The Lowland Band of The Scottish Division, and The Lucknow Band of The Prince of Wales's Division, with a repertoire which will include many well known favourites such as '633 Squadron' and 'Aces High'.

The Bands of the PLA China and the South African Navy together with Edinburgh's 50-strong Kevock Choir will then join them.

The Massed Pipes and Drums later assemble alongside the Massed Military Bands as 600 musicians combine to create the unique Tattoo sound.

Said the Brigadier: "This is the moment in the programme when the Massed Pipes & Drums come together with the Massed Military Bands to produce that special Tattoo sound - a fine and distinctive blend of pipes, drums, bands, choir and fiddle - joined-up music, as I call it, where we feature one of the country's best-loved songs, 'Highland Cathedral'."

This inspiring combined programme of music and movement includes an excellent Carole Becker-Douglas composition 'Millennium Prayer for Peace', and features a special arrangement of The Anthem from hit musical 'Chess', written along with lyricist Tim Rice by Abba's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

A sensational Finale then brings the show to an emotional and poignant close as The Lone Piper, high on the Castle ramparts, plays the haunting lament, 'Donald Blue'.

The Tattoo's Chief Executive said: "This year the demand for tickets has been frenetic right from the word go. This would not have happened without the hard endeavour of my small Tattoo team along with the support of our partner organisations, to whom I am most grateful.".

Each evening, The Queen's Colour Squadron of The Royal Air Force will furnish the Guard of Honour, as their pilot colleagues from RAF Stations across the UK mark this summer's RAF themed Tattoo with a nightly flypast (weather permitting).

Meanwhile, next month's Tattoo Castle Drawbridge Sentries will see members of The Royal Gibraltar Regiment from the British dependency - which this year celebrates its 300th Anniversary - also feature at the 2004 showpiece military event.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost and Chairman of the Tattoo Board, Lesley Hinds, said: "This year's Tattoo programme brings together one of the biggest casts ever assembled. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing the South African Navy Band from Cape Town during this 10th anniversary of freedom and democracy in South Africa."

The Chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Sir George Mathewson, said: "We are delighted to be supporting this wonderful event for the third consecutive year. With performers from around the world, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2004 provides a remarkable spectacle and is one of the occasions of the year both in the UK and as a global event."

Some re-sale tickets for the 2004 Tattoo (6-28 August) may 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 includes: -
The Royal Bank of Scotland, Dewar's World of Whisky, Highland Spring, Ford Motor Company, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa and Caledonian Brewery.

For further information, please contact:

The Tattoo Office      Tel: 0131 225 4783
32 Market Street     Fax: 0131-225 8627
Edinburgh EH1 1QB   Web. www.edintattoo.co.uk
Email: administration@edintattoo.co.uk