Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Royal Albert Hall Celebration (1998) (TV)

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Director:

David Mallet

Writers:

Lenny Barker (writer)
Michael Coveney (writer)

Release Date:

1999 (USA)

Genre:

Music

Plot:

A tribute to Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber for his 50th birthday. Features selections from his most popular plays...

Plot Keywords:

TV Special | Concert Film | Royal Albert Hall | Character Name In Title

Cast

Tina Arena	...	Performer 'Whistle Down the Wind'
Michael Ball	...	Performer 'Gethsemane', 'All I Ask You' 'Vaults of Heaven' and 'Love Changes Everything'
Antonio Banderas	...	Performer 'Oh What a Circus', 'High Flying Adored' and 'The Phantom of the Opera'
Keith Duffy	...	Performer 'No Matter What' (as Boyzone)
Stephen Gately	...	Himself - Performer 'No Matter What' (as Boyzone)
Mikey Graham	...	Performer 'No Matter What' (as Boyzone)
Ronan Keating	...	Performer 'No Matter What' (as Boyzone)
Shane Lynch	...	Performer 'No Matter What' (as Boyzone)
Sarah Brightman	...	Performer 'Pie Jesu', 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'All I Ask You' and 'The Music of the Night'
Glenn Close	...	Performer 'Once Upon A Time', 'With One Look' and 'As If We Never Said Goodbye'
Ben De'ath	...	Performer 'Pie Jesu'
Julian Lloyd Webber	...	Performer 'Inro and Variations I-IV'
Marcus Lovett	...	Performer 'Superstar' and 'Once Upon A Time'
Lottie Mayor	...	Performer 'Whistle Down the Wind'
Dennis O'Neill	...	Performer 'Hosanna'

Runtime:

127 min | UK:126 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Really Useful Group, The

Quotes:

Andrew Lloyd Webber: I don't know why I'm frightened, but I am.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Andrew Lloyd Webber: Masterpiece (2002) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Memory

Splendid! Glorious! Unforgettable!

The best ALW music performed by the greatest musicians and singers on the magnificent stage of Albert Hall - it is enough to make a delightful concert. Add impressive decorations, spirited acting of the performers and excellent choirs and dancers - and you will get a superb show. During two hours you can enjoy lovely Joseph (with Donny Osmond, of course), clever Variations (very artistically played by Julian Lloyd Webber), dramatic Evita (only Paige's unique voice can reveal full splendor of Don't cry for me Argentina, and Antonio Banderas is the best Che ever), dynamic Starlight Express, solemn Requiem, passionate Jesus Christ Superstar (even though this musical is not among my favourite Webber's works I couldn't but admire Michael Ball singing Gethsemane), beautiful and mysterious The Phantom of the Opera with exquisite Sarah Brightman as Christine and Banderas proving that he can act Eric (AND HE CAN!), impressive Sunset Boulevard with remarkable Glenn Close, interesting Whistle Down the Wind (Tina Arena, Bonnie Tyler, Boyzone, Michael Ball sang differently styled fragments), wonderful Love Changes Everything (Michael Ball once again at his best), and of course famous Memory (another unforgettable performance from Elaine Paige). And the concert had to be so grand for the sake of Sir Andrew. I adore the moment when the entire cast sings `Happy birthday' to him. A charming scene! Furthermore, ALW presented his new masterpiece The Heart Is Slow to Learn sang beautifully by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and then a young star Lottie Mayor performed Whistle Down the Wind in the most engaging manner with Sir Andrew himself at the piano. My favourite Jellicle Ball (Cats) was used as the brilliant conclusion of the concert. It's a show to enjoy again and again and again!