WHAT do comedian Rich
Hall, opera singers, the London Firebird Orchestra and Oompah Brass
have in common?
They are all joining
musical maestro Rainer Hersch at the Southbank Centre for a mash up
of music, song and comedy on Easter Monday.
Taking place at the
Royal Festival Hall, the April Fools Comedy Concert will be hosted by
Rainer and promises a two-hour fun filled musical jamboree for all
the family.
The comedian, writer,
performer and classical musician will bring his own unique take on a
selection of music which he has chosen especially for the occasion.
It will feature star
turns from his special guests American comedy legend Rich Hall,
Oompah Brass, stars of classical music plus full a symphony orchestra
and choir for the afternoon of comedy, music and mayhem.
It is the fourth year
running Rainer has brought his April Fool show to the Southbank
Centre and comes hot on the heals of his sell out Yuletide show last
year.
"That was
amazing," he says. "It was the first Christmas one I have
done and it was brilliant fun - a sell out, full of people wearing
antlers and festive hats - I've never seen anything like it!"
But now he's in the
middle of rehearsals for his legendary April Fool's show, though
admits it's a bit late in the month to be holding it.
"Easter is really
late this year and April Fool's day actually was on a Tuesday so
perhaps not the best day for families to come along," he says by
way of an explanation.
"This is a family
show and in the end it seemed a good idea to do it on Easter Monday.
"We are in the
middle of rehearsals and it's pretty amazing so far."
And he says he's very
excited not least because he'll be on the RFH stage, which he loves,
with "loads" of people.
"It's the biggest
concert I've ever done," he laughs. "As usual I oversee
everything and this time I've got a 170-piece orchestra, a 72-piece
choir plus the extras so it's pretty mega.
"I love the RFH -
it's the best concert hall in London and probably the country as far
as I'm concerned.
"It's the perfect
place to do a concert like this and I'm very excited to be back.
"There's a great
line up too so I know the audience will have a brilliant time - it
doesn't matter if you are a music professor or couldn't tell a string
quartet from a string vest, this is the show for you.
"It will be a
guaranteed laugh every four bars. It's going to be very, very funny."
Music-wise, this year
the concert will feature Queen's Bavarian Rhapsody, fictitious
composer, PDQ Bach's Missa Hilarious, Rossini's Largo al factotum
(translated), Rich Hall as Otis Lee Crenshaw and much, much more.
But don't expect any of
the original versions.
"As with all my
shows, it's a completely different interpretation that the audience
will hear," he says. "For example the Oompah Brass band
will do chart hits in an oompah style and it will be like nothing
you've heard before. I'm really looking forward to their bit because
it's utterly brilliant."
And he says working
with comedic legend Rich Hall has been fantastic.
"Rich Hall is the
comedian's comic," he says warmly. "He's so, so funny but
he's also very musical and has released several albums.
"He has a spoof
character, a Dixie country singer called Otis Lee Crenshaw who plays
a guitar. We have taken some of his songs and scored them for an
orchestra which he will be performing with our 170-piece orchestra as
a sort of backing band. In between all of this he does his stand up
so it's quite something."
As a piece de
resistance he has the Queen coming in to do a rendition of God Save
The Queen.
"It's not the real
Queen of course," he laughs. "Last year we had her
parachute in as a homage to the Olympics. This year of course she has
a new grandchild, heir to the throne, so I've written a special
version of God Save The Queen which will be hilarious.
"There's a lot
happening! And it will all be done in my own inimitable style,"
he chuckles.
April Fools Comedy
Concert takes place at the Royal Festival Hall at 4pm on Monday,
April 21. Tickets from £9.50. Call the box office on 020 7960 4200.
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