An example of RNA’s event creation, management and production capabilities was the recent Variety Club International Convention in London. RNA was responsible for every aspect of six major events in four days in two completely different venues: the contemporary Lancaster London, overlooking Hyde Park, and the City of London’s historic Guildhall.
The six events ranged from a glittering but traditional, classic “City of London” International Awards Banquet to informative and originally staged seminars, presentations and discussion groups. There were more than 1,000 attendees from all parts of the world, and our remit, apart from ensuring that every event ran faultlessly, was to engage entertainment that catered for every taste. Sourcing talent that ranged from international classical superstar Hayley Westenra and the extraordinary Bruce Airhead (“metamorphosis of a man and a six-foot balloon)” to a 65-strong male voice choir, Irish dancers, a contemporary string quartet and many more, RNA did just that.
The dignitaries and celebrities involved included Their Royal Highnesses, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, TV presenters Gloria Hunniford and Vanessa Feltz, rock legend Roger Daltrey CBE, publishing baron Richard Desmond . . . and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
CASE STUDY 2
Earlier this year RNA produced a spectacular music concert in the world famous Apollo Victoria Theatre in London’s West End, home of Wicked.
To help launch its inaugural World Hunger Day, The Hunger Project UK engaged RNA to stage a fundraising gala concert to raise the profile and awareness of the charity and its work and to celebrate the 70th birthday of its patron: soul legend Dionne Warwick.
With our excellent access to a network of talent, RNA assembled a varied and eclectic line-up of performers including Grammy award winning jazz star, Natalie Cole, West End legend Elaine Paige, the UK’s “Queen of Soul” - Mica Paris, the Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Steven McRae, the 20-strong London Community Gospel Choir, opera legend Simon Keenlyside and, of course, Dionne herself, who compèred and performed both solo and duets with a number of the artists. Each performer was backed by the magnificent sound of the 45-piece Southbank Sinfonia, with whom RNA has worked on several occasions, supplemented by Dionne’s own magnificent rhythm section.
Always determined to get it absolutely right, we even brought the specialist percussionist in from Brazil. There were more than 100 performers on stage, and they gave the 2000-plus audience a night they’ll never forget.
The Independent described the night as “amazing” and “sensational”; it was widely regarded as one of the year’s most successful events of its kind … and RNA did everything.
RNA acquired the venue and managed all financial, legal and technical liaison with it. We secured and negotiated with all the international performers and took care of their flights, work permits and compliance with HMRC’s Foreign Entertainers Tax Unit. We arranged all artists’ accommodation and transport, and we devised and managed rehearsal and performance day schedules and, of course, the show’s running order. We led the liaison with Ticketmaster, as well as with the Ambassadors Theatre Group and Wicked London. We managed the adaptation of the venue’s technical facilities, as well as sourcing additional lighting, audio and visual technology and specialist freelance operators. We commissioned all the musical arrangements required and managed the co-ordination of five different Musical Directors. RNA played an active role in the production of the printed programme for the night and the event’s marketing, which was exceptional.
Tim Holder, the charity’s UK Country Director said the concert “far exceeded his wildest dreams” and RNA has been engaged by The Hunger Project to produce the next World Hunger Day event, which will culminate in an even grander concert at The Royal Albert Hall.
