The BBC Proms closed on Saturday night with a splendid display of national pride at the Royal Albert Hall.
Superstars Brian May, Roger Taylor, Bill Bailey and Alison Balsom led the celebrations, showing Britain at its best in a glittering finale of music and tradition.
The spectacle unfolded just a few miles away from a starkly different scene, where Tommy Robinson‘s supporters clashed with police and some called for the Prime Minister’s death.
Inside the hall, a sea of flags filled the crowd – thousands of Union Jacks alongside around 10,000 EU flags distributed by pro-EU activists.
Conductor Elim Chan lead the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Chorus and BBC Singers, joined by acclaimed soprano Louise Alder and celebrated trumpeter Alison Balsom.
Elsewhere, Queen’s Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Alder for a rearrangement of their hit track Bohemian Rhapsody, which turned 50 this year.
West End star Sam Oladeinde performed vocals for the six-minute song, which was originally written and sung by the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury.
Meanwhile, comedian Bill Bailey made his BBC Proms debut and said he is ‘so proud to be British’ following his appearance on stage.
‘I’m very patriotic. I mean, I’m very proud to be British and I think there’s so many qualities of Britishness that actually are demonstrated here tonight,’ Bailey said.
The BBC Proms closed on Saturday night with a splendid display of national pride at the Royal Albert Hall. Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor took the stage to perform Bohemian Rhapsody alongside the orchestra
Superstars Brian May, Roger Taylor, Bill Bailey and Alison Balsom led the celebrations, showing Britain at its best. Pictured: Alison Balsom
Comedian Bill Bailey made his BBC Proms debut. The 60-year-old performed Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter at Saturday’s Last Night Of The Proms, playing the historic piece of office equipment as a musical instrument
There was a special performance of rock band Queen’s iconic Bohemian Rhapsody to mark the 50th anniversary of the song’s release. Roger Taylor (right) and Sir Brian May (left) of Queen
Conductor Elim Chan lead the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Chorus and BBC Singers, joined by acclaimed soprano Louise Alder and celebrated trumpeter Alison Balsom
Pictured: Alison Balsom takes her place on the stage
Inside the hall, a sea of flags filled the crowd – thousands of Union Jacks alongside around 10,000 EU flags distributed by pro-EU activists. Pictured: The team that delivered the EU flags and berets outside the Albert Hall
The spectacle unfolded just a few miles away from a starkly different scene, where Tommy Robinson ‘s supporters clashed with police and some called for the Prime Minister’s death
‘There’s, firstly, a tremendous sense of belonging, being part of a bigger thing, coming together, feeling a sense of pride in our country, but also, it’s about community.
‘It’s about a sense of belonging and good humour, that’s one of the great things about Britishness. I mean, that’s one of the great things about Britishness, I would say that’s one of our great qualities’.
Asked if the Proms have made him feel proud to be British, he added: “Of course, it’s hugely powerful. You see people waving flags and having fun, coming together to celebrate something like this, which really stirs the soul.”
For Balsom, her performance was bitter-sweet as it marked her last ‘night on stage’.
The musician, who is married to Skyfall director Sam Mendes, confirmed her retirement in conversation with journalist John Wilson for BBC Radio 4’s This Cultural Life.
The 46-year-old said: ‘I’ve been so lucky to play with some of the greatest orchestras in the world. The light hits them in a new way, and they feel different every time.
‘But this chance to play the Hummel at the Last Night Of The Proms, it feels very final for me.
Bill Bailey backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, London, at the Last Night of the Proms
Alison Balsom backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, London, where she made her final performance
‘I know what I want to say about this piece, but I don’t think I’m going to have anything more to say after this.’
But while for Balsom Saturday night’s show marked the end of an era, musician and comedian Bill Bailey was performing at the Proms for the first time.
Ahead of the show the star said he wished his mother could see him make his debut at the event last night.
The 60-year-old performed Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter at Saturday’s Last Night Of The Proms, playing the historic piece of office equipment as a musical instrument.
Bailey said: ‘I just wish my mum was around for her to see it, I think that would be just a wonderful moment to see those early times when she inspired me to listen to music, and then there I am at the Proms.
‘I think that would be a wonderful full circle, but my dad is still around, my dad, bless him, he’s 93, he’s coming to the show, so I’m looking forward to that.’
Roger Taylor (left) and Sir Brian May from Queen pose backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, London, before the Last Night of the Prom
Conductor Elim Chan backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, London, at the Last Night of the Proms
The Last Night of the Proms, Prommers at the Albert Hall
The Bath-born star regularly incorporates music into his comedy performances and previously recorded BBC special Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, having been inspired by his mother to listen to records and learn instruments from an early age.
She said her love of music and its ability to ‘transport us to somewhere else’ left a ‘very deep impression on me’.
He said: ‘I’ve been watching the Proms now for, wow, for many, many years. and I remember the last night is – was – always a bit of a ritual in our house, we’d all watch it together, and I’ve been lucky enough to go to a few proms over the years.
‘And there’s a really quite a unique atmosphere, I think, unlike anything else I’ve ever been to, because it feels like this is more about what music should be.
‘I think it’s very inclusive, it’s got a feeling that it’s for everyone, people kind of make almost like a pilgrimage to it, you see people sitting outside wanting to get in.
‘There’s a sense of celebration, of fun, of like this is a sort of British institution really, and it feels like quite an honour to be part of it.’
Soprano Louise Alder backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, London, at the Last Night of the Proms
Prommers in good spirits at the Albert Hall
Bailey was joined by Sir Brian May, Roger Taylor and rising West End star Sam Oladeinde at the Proms’ final night, with the trio marking the 50th anniversary of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
The comedian added: ‘It’s very exciting, and I realised yesterday it was all very real.
‘Suddenly, when I went to Maida Vale studios to rehearse with the orchestra, and I suddenly realised, ‘oh yes, this is happening’, because up to now it’s been sort of this abstract thing, which has been just something in the future, oh yes, I’m doing the Proms.
‘And then, suddenly, I’m in the Maida Vale studios with a full orchestra with the typewriter, and this is it, you know, got to get it right.
‘So, I’m a little bit nervous, but also very excited, and I had a fantastic rehearsal yesterday with the orchestra, so that’s given me a great deal of confidence.’
