| PRESS
RELEASES Stage
Set For Esplanade Spectacular
Posted
26th July 2005 The
56th Edinburgh Tattoo (5-27 August) is set to be the must-see event of the summer. Tickets
have long since sold out for the 24-performance, 3-week run on the Castle Esplanade,
where the 217,000 visitors who are expected to attend will witness a fabulously
cosmopolitan programme of music, colour and action. And
with the 2005 military showpiece event set to pay tribute to The Royal Navy whilst
commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, 21st century technological
features like state-of-the-art projection equipment have been installed to help
celebrate the occasion and further enhance the Tattoo experience. Said
Tattoo Chief Executive & Producer, Brigadier Melville Jameson: "I hope
this new technology will provide a whole new dimension to proceedings and further
add to people's enjoyment of the show." But
this summer's production will open in traditional fashion with the heart-stopping
sounds of the world-famous Massed Pipes & Drums, boasting one of the largest
displays of 'Pipes & Drums' ever seen at the Tattoo including all the Pipes
& Drums from Scotland's Infantry Regiments. Three
pipe bands from the Southern Hemisphere cities of Melbourne, Wellington and Johannesburg
will participate at the 56th Tattoo - The Rats of Tobruk, The City of Wellington
and The South African Irish. They will join with the Pipes & Drums of The
Scots Guards, The Irish Guards, The Royal Scots, The Royal Highland Fusiliers,
The King's Own Scottish Borderers, The Black Watch, The Highlanders, The Argyll
and Sutherland Highlanders, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, and representatives from
Scotland's Universities Officers' Training Corps. "This
is a rare occasion indeed where we are immensely proud to have all of the Scottish
Infantry Regiments represented at this year's Tattoo alongside some of the Commonwealth's
finest," remarked the Brigadier. He
continued: "My aim has always been to fill the Esplanade with Pipes &
Drums - wall to wall Pipes & Drums. And I feel that I am close to achieving
that objective this year with the finest musicians anyone could witness anywhere
in the world." The
Imps Motorcycle Display Team from London's Docklands will then add a breathtaking
demonstration of high-speed skill and courage. They will perform their daring
act, in what is regarded by many as a difficult arena, before concluding with
a stunning, fast moving, all action, precision ride. Yet,
no military parade would be complete without the unique Band and Bugles of The
Light Division, who previously featured at the 2001 Tattoo. Marching at 140 paces
to the minute, the Band's brisk style and crisp precision has 'stolen the show'
on many occasions. Each
evening over 100 young dancers from New Zealand and Scotland will then present
a routine of lively highland dancing - exclusively conceived to reflect this summer's
maritime themed Tattoo - accompanied by a selection of Pipers from Scotland's
Regiments and The Highland Band of The Scottish Division. Then,
with an Indiana Jones pastiche, a crack squad from The Royal Marines - The Royal
Navy's amphibious infantry - will perform some of the techniques they have been
taught in a light-hearted, non-threatening demonstration. The
sound of award-winning Caribbean calypsos will then waft across the Esplanade
as the West Indian Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra take to the
arena. It is the only military steel band of its kind and took part, to great
acclaim, in the 1997 Tattoo and at its Golden Anniversary production in 2000.
Another
major attraction at this year's military extravaganza will be Moscow's 60-strong
Russian Cossack State Dance Company. Complete with Balalaika Orchestra they will
provide an impressive exhibition of the romance and drama of Russian culture with
folk songs and amazing sword dances. To
mark Norway's 100 years of independence from Sweden, the 2005 event will also
include a wonderful display of meticulous drill by The Guard of His Majesty The
King of Norway, whose bayonet tipped rifle routines have mesmerised spectators
on six previous occasions. The Band of His Majesty The King of Norway will complement
the drill team with a magnificent demonstration of music and marching. The
colourful performances from overseas then give way to the inspiring music of the
Massed Military Bands featuring the combined Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines,
who take centre stage in a packed programme dedicated to the Senior Service and
a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Together with
their renowned precision drummers, the Bands' embrace some 150 musicians from
HM Royal Marines Plymouth, Scotland, and The Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
in Devon, and are under the direction of their Commandant and Principal Director
of Music and the 2005 Tattoo Director of Music, Lieutenant Colonel C J Davis. The
Highland Band of The Scottish Division and The Band of The Light Division, along
with The Band of His Majesty The King of Norway and Edinburgh's 50-strong Kevock
Choir, will then join them. The
Massed Pipes and Drums will then gather alongside the Massed Military Bands as
600 musicians amass to create the unique Tattoo sound, playing time-honoured favourites
such as Paul McCartney's popular folksong 'Mull of Kintyre', which became one
of the biggest-selling British singles of all time, and 'Caledonia', something
of an unofficial Scottish national anthem composed by one of Scotland's pre-eminent
singer-songwriters, Dougie MacLean. The
Grand Finale, featuring the entire 1,000-strong cast, with the poignant theme
tune from 'Band of Brothers', will provide a fitting climax to the moving conclusion
of the 56th Tattoo. The enduring symbol of the Tattoo, the Lone Piper, silhouetted
against the night sky, then plays 'Lest We Forget' to mark the 60th anniversary
of the end of World War II. Members
of The Royal Naval Reserve will parade each evening during the finale sequence
to provide The Guard of Honour. "Demand
for tickets this year has been quite extraordinary. We are delighted with these
results, and very much hope that all those who attend will experience an unforgettable
evening," the Tattoo's Chief Executive said. Edinburgh's
Lord Provost and Chairman of the Tattoo Board, Lesley Hinds, commented: "Every
year the Tattoo brings thousands of people to our city and is a leading player
in the greatest arts celebration in the world. This year we celebrate the Royal
Navy and commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar so Tattoo
goers should prepare to be entertained by fantastic performers from Australia,
Norway, South Africa and Russia." The
Chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Sir George Mathewson, said: "The
Edinburgh Military Tattoo is undoubtedly one of Edinburgh's international flagship
events, drawing audiences and performers from around the globe." Some
re-sale tickets for the 2005 Tattoo (5-27 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, Sheraton Grand
Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh, 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 | 
