THN are excited to announce that following on from its sold-out anniversary performances in 2012 and over fifty years after its original release, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer re-mastered film returns to the big screen in high definition at the Royal Albert Hall with its original vocals and dialog intact. Once again, experience this classic romantic tragedy and the bitter battle between the Jets and the Sharks as Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying score, featuring the much loved ‘America’, ‘Somewhere’ and ‘Tonight’, is dramatically brought to life on stage by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra with Jayce Ogren conducting. It’s only due to run for 5 performances from July 4th to 6th, at 14:30 and 19:30 but remember this is next year, 2014!
Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, West Side Story features Robbins’ breathtaking choreography, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a screenplay by Ernest Lehman based on the masterful book by Arthur Laurents. Still praised to this day by critics and the public alike, West Side Story was the winner of ten Academy Awards® including Best Picture and Best Music. It remains one of the one of the greatest achievements in the history of movie musicals. Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein’s daughter, said:
‘I was ten years old when the movie of West Side Story came out, and oh, how I adored it. When I see the film now, with live orchestra, the music sounds so madly thrilling that it makes me feel ten years old all over again’
Jasper Hope, Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall, said:
‘West Side Story is an iconic film musical known and loved the world over. The public reaction to the shows and the demand for tickets was simply phenomenal; we knew immediately that we had to bring these live orchestral performances of one of the greatest movies ever made back to the Hall. This unique cinematic presentation is a must for any fan of West Side Story but these screenings will also introduce this timeless classic to an entirely new generation’
This event is part of the Royal Albert Hall’s series in celebrating classic films with live orchestra. 100,000 people have now enjoyed sold out performances at the Hall of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Matrix, the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, Disney’s Fantasia, Singin’ in the Rain (Check out our review here!) and the upcoming world premiere of Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton (More information via this link) on October 7th and UK premiere of Pixar in Concert on February 22nd. The Hall looks to provide memorable visitor experiences for all and, as a charity, these own-promoted events form a part of its extensive public benefit remit.
Tickets are now on sale and priced from £15- £55. To book, please visit www.royalalberthall.com or call the Box Office on 020 7589 8212
Royal Albert Hall – Friday 4- Sunday 6 July 2014, 2.30pm and 7.30pm
West Side Story © 1961 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All rights reserved. © A.M.P.A.S.
