Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin-Manuel Miranda to join the Platinum Party At The Palace

Picture: Roy Tan

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin-Manuel Miranda will both make special appearances at the star-studded Platinum Party At The Palace event on 4 June 2022.

The two musical theatre-makers will appear in a section of the spectacular show curated by Lloyd Webber, and entitled 70 Years of Pop Music and Musicals, which will also include performances featuring casts and special guest from The Phantom of The Opera, Six, The Lion King and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Part of the celebrations marking The Queen’s 7o years on the throne, the concert at Buckingham Palace will be broadcast live on BBC1, BBCiPlayer and BBC Radio 2.

Featuring stars from stage, screen and the sporting world, the unique Platinum Party stage design consists of three stages, linked by walkways, which will create a 360-degree experience in front of Buckingham Palace and The Queen Victoria Memorial. Seventy illuminated columns representing Her Majesty’s 70-year reign will link the stages together into one overall design, and for the first time two of the three stages sit immediately in front of Buckingham Palace, framing the iconic building.

Queen + Adam Lambert will open the concert with a special exclusive performance while Diana Ross will give her first UK live performance in 15 years by closing the two and half hour show.

Unveiling details of the event, Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the nation together for this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime event, broadcast live across the BBC with an amazing star-studded line up of performers to celebrate The Queen’s momentous 70 years on the throne.”

With further details and additional artists to be confirmed closer to the event and with the promise of some surprises left for the evening itself , the initial line-up onstage will include: Alicia Keys, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow, George Ezra, Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli, Mimi Webb, Sam Ryder, Jax Jones, Celeste, Nile Rodgers, Sigala and Diversity.

Stars from the stage and screen, and the sporting world appearing at the event and on film will include David Attenborough, Emma Raducanu, David Beckham, Stephen Fry, Julie Andrews, The Royal Ballet, Ellie Simmonds, and a specially recorded performance from Elton John.

BBC Studios Productions are staging the event and producing the live broadcast on behalf of the BBC and Buckingham Palace.

Angela Thomas