Royal Albert Hall launches #RoyalAlbertHome, streaming a season of free shows on its website direct from artists’ living rooms
Royal Albert Home will open its virtual doors this week, as one of the world’s most iconic venues comes direct to audiences from artists’ living rooms with a programme of exclusive shows.
Rufus Wainwright will launch the series on Thursday 9 April, as London’s Royal Albert Hall keeps the venue’s spirit alive during its closure by presenting free sessions from performers’ homes.
The specially-curated opening week will also feature celebrated tenor Alfie Boe, indie sensation Baxter Dury and Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble, as well as singer-songwriter Ayanna Witter-Johnson, spoken word act Toby Thompson – performing a specially reworked version of his Edinburgh Fringe show – and cellist Peter Gregson, renowned for his reinterpretations of Bach.
On Monday 13 April, Hard-Fi frontman Richard Archer and vocalist Krysten Cummings will perform Hard-Fi hits alongside songs from their new collaboration, OffWorld.
The Hall will also present at-home versions of shows which have had to be cancelled, ensuring that the talent and practice that went into developing these events can be shared with the world. Following an enhanced screening of the hit British comedy-drama, Brassed Off on Wednesday 15 April, conductor Moritz Gnann will present Isata Kanneh-Mason and Eldbjørg Hemsing performing Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Saint-Saëns (Sat 18 Apr), before Robin Ince, Dr Helen Czerski and Steve Backshall are joined by a host of special guests for Sea Shambles (Sun 17 May).
And an upcoming programme of family matinees will include classical music, opera and jazz concerts for kids presented by performers from the venue’s in-house group, Albert’s Band.
The shows will all be streamable free of charge, but with the option to donate to the venue. The Hall, which turns 150 next year, is closed for the first time since World War Two, meaning that it has no regular income to support staff or its Grade I-listed building.
For full programme details, go to www.royalalberthall.com/rahome. To donate to the Hall, visit https://www.royalalberthall.com/support. More shows will be announced soon.
Listings info:
Rufus Wainwright
Thu 9 Apr, 8:15pm
Peter Gregson
Fri 10 Apr, 7:30pm
Alfie Boe
Sun 12 Apr, 7:30pm
Richard Archer and Krysten Cummings
Mon 13 Apr, 7:30pm
Roddy Woomble
Tue 14 Apr, 7:30pm
Brassed Off (enhanced screening)
Wed 15 Apr, 7:30pm
Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Thu 16 Apr, 8:15pm
Baxter Dury
Fri 17 Apr, 9pm
Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Saint-Saens
Sat 18 Apr, 7:30pm
Toby Thompson
Wed 22 Apr, 7:30pm
Sea Shambles
Sun 17 May, 7pm
