Image: Twitter/@rufuswainwright
The cultural institution Royal Albert Hall announced that it will remain closed until at least May 18, as more than 55,000 people have been tested positive for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. Rufus Wainwright is set to perform.
“We’ve been here for the nation for almost 150 years in good times and bad. We exist to be open, to entertain, to inspire. Our doors are made to be open to the world and so it goes against everything in our nature to close them. But these aren’t normal times and we find ourselves in the unique situation where closing our doors is the best way to look after the world,” Royal Albert Hall said in a statement at the time.
The historic venue has now announced a new livestream series to offer “a (virtual) window for you to experience some of the most talented artists around,” mimicking initiatives taken by British cultural institutions like the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe.
📣 JUST ANNOUNCED: We are excited to present #RoyalAlbertHome – a programme of exclusive sessions by the world’s most talented artists, streaming from their homes to yours 🏠https://t.co/jR5e05iJpo
— Royal Albert Hall (@RoyalAlbertHall) April 8, 2020
“Royal Albert Home” is scheduled for launch Thursday, April 9 at 8:15 p.m. BST with a special performance by Rufus Wainwright from his home in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles.
“I will try to be your ‘Gay Messiah’ in these difficult times, serve you some ‘Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk’, give you hopefully a ‘Peaceful Afternoon’, maybe pray a little ‘Agnus Dei’, hold you virtually ‘In My Arms’, take you to ‘Sanssouci’ in your mind, show you some ‘Pretty Things’ and make your ‘Alone Time’ uplifting, funny, hilarious, beautiful and bearable,” the American-Canadian singer-songwriter teased in a statement.
In addition to taking fans through his “repertoire and life,” Wainwright will perform material from his upcoming tenth studio album “Unfollow the Rules” whose release has been postponed to July 10.
“Royal Albert Home” will also include daily sessions with Peter Gregson, Alexis FFrench, Alfie Boe, Richard Archer and Krysten Cummings, Roddy Woomble, Brassed Off, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Baxter Dury and Toby Thompson.
Aside from its new streaming series, Royal Albert Hall will also stage a “rejigged at-home version” of the now-canceled “Sea Shambles” show.
The event, presented in collaboration with the Cosmic Shambles Network and the Stay at Home Festival, will see “a range of special guest scientists, comedians and musicians join the fun from their living rooms for a science, music and comedy show about the past, present and future of our blue planet.”
ANNOUNCEMENT: As part of the Royal Albert Home programme & #ShamblesStayatHomeFest, we’re doing a rejigged version of #SeaShambles live, free & online! Same date/time, May 17th, with @robinince, @helenczerski, @SteveBackshall & friends https://t.co/Cy05GCt8N3 @RoyalAlbertHall
— The Cosmic Shambles Network (@cosmicshambles) April 8, 2020
The virtual show will be anchored by Radio 4’s “Infinite Monkey Cage” co-host Robin Ince, physicist and oceanographer Dr Helen Czerski, as well as wildlife presenter Steve Backshall. JB
RELATED STORIES:
Alanis Morissette, Boys Like Girls postpone Manila concerts due to COVID-19
Monica Bellucci among 350 celebs to band together for coronavirus charity ‘sing-along’