Sir Ben Kingsley, Anna Friel, Pixie Lott, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Flawless among line-up
An Array of Stars
An array of stars from the worlds of film, television and the stage have been announced as part of the star-studded line-up for Time Flies: A Celebration of 100 Years of the RAF, a Royal Gala in the presence of HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO raising money for The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, the RAF100 Appeal, and three other military charities including The Polish Airmen’s Association.
Among the names announced for this one-off spectacular is acting royalty Sir Ben Kingsley, Anna Friel and Stephanie Powers, Pixie Lott, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, star of America’s Got Talent and award-winning ventriloquist, Paul Zerdin, dance group Flawless, the cast of West End smash hit Five Guys Named Moe, internationally acclaimed troupe Ballet Boyz and The D-Day Darlings.
They will be joined by international pianist, Chopin Piano Competition winner, Gil Getley, the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, and hundreds of Royal Air Force Cadets. The evening will also feature video contributions from a host of supporters including Joanna Lumley, OBE, FGRS and Rupert Everett.
The show will tell the story of the formation of the RAF in 1918 to present day through song, dance, poetry and film. Covering both World Wars, The Falklands War, The Red Arrows, humanitarian aid in Nepal, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone and lifesaving missions at home and abroad, Times Flies: A Celebration of 100 Years of the RAF promises to be a celebration like no other.
Joanna Lumley, OBE, FGRS said:
Our gratitude to the RAF cannot be measured; we are indebted to them for their blazing courage, their dedication, sacrifice and skill, and for looking after us for a hundred years in times of war and peace. To be even a tiny part of this celebration is in itself a privilege; and from the ground to the skies I send a million thanks, and salutations to those magnificent men in their flying machines. They are all stars: always were and always shall be.
Pixie Lott said:
"When The Mercury Foundation asked me to take part in the 'Time Flies' Royal Gala Charity Performance celebrating 100 years of the Royal Air Force I was absolutely thrilled and delighted to be a part of it. It's going to be such a wonderful evening for a great cause and I'm excited to perform on the night."
Melissa John, on behalf of The Mercury Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to fund this Gala to raise money for Royal Air Force associated charities in appreciation of the debt we all owe to the brave men and women who risked/risk their lives so we can live ours. In the words of Winston Churchill: 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’.”
Time Flies: A Celebration of 100 Years of the RAF is directed and choregraphed by Andrew Wright (Half a Sixpence, Five Guys Named Moe, Guys & Dolls), and musical director is Jae Alexander (42nd Street).
Proceeds will go to The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, as well as four other charities supporting RAF personnel: the RAF100 Appeal, Bentley Priory Museum, The RAF Music Charitable Trust and The Polish Airmen's Association.
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