The BBC has commissioned a trio of shows to mark the relationship between the Queen and the Commonwealth
BBC Studios has picked up two orders and Burning Bright a third.
On Saturday 21 April, BBC One and BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a special concert in celebration of the Queen’s 92nd birthday, live from the Royal Albert Hall. The concert comes at the end of a week when many Commonwealth Leaders will be gathered in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. It will be attended by The Queen and many members of the Royal Family, with performances from Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Craig David, Anne Marie, Shawn Mendes, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Sting & Shaggy among others.
The Queen’s Birthday Party is a BBC Studios’ Production for BBC One and BBC Radio 2. Claire Popplewell is Editor, Ceremonial Events, and Alison Howe is the Executive Producer. It was commissioned by Alison Kirkham, Controller, BBC Factual Commissioning, and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content.
It goes out live on BBC One, Saturday 21 April at 8pm.
BBC Newsreader George Alagiah will present a new film for BBC One exploring the history of The Queen and the Commonwealth. Alagiah looks into the Queen’s role in leading the Commonwealth throughout her reign moving from Tonga to Australia, Ghana, India and South Africa.
George Alagiah says: “What we see in this film is the transformation of a young, diffident woman into a confident figure able to command the respect of leaders around the world. We discovered that as Head of the Commonwealth she has far more room to manoeuvre – able to influence world events in a way she cannot at home.”
Interviews include Princess Anne, former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, the second Commonwealth Secretary-General Sir Sonny Ramphal and South African politician Mamphela Ramphele.
The Queen: Her Commonwealth Story (1×60′) is a BBC Studios Production for BBC One. The Executive Producer is Jo Roe. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of Content and Alison Kirkham, Controller of Factual Commissioning. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Simon Young.
The film goes out on BBC One at 9pm on Monday 26 March
Also airing on BBC One in April is Lenny Henry: The Commonwealth Kid. Born to Jamaican parents who came to the UK as part of the post-Windrush generation in 1957, Henry examines the deep-rooted relationship between Britain, the Commonwealth and its 2.3 billion people.
Lenny Henry says: “I’m delighted and excited to revisit where my parents grew up and explore things I don’t know about Jamaica and the Bahamas especially in the context of the Commonwealth.”
Lenny Henry: The Commonwealth Kid (1×60′) is a Burning Bright Productions and Douglas Road Productions for BBC One. The Executive Producers are Clive Tulloh and Barbara Emile. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of Content and Tom McDonald, BBC Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist Factual. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Simon Young.
It is expected to air on BBC One at 9pm on Monday 2 April
Staff Reporter
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