The ever-popular BBC One programme, Songs of Praise, is coming to the Isle of Wight to film at The Wight Proms which will take place at the grade II* listed Northwood House in Cowes. This exclusive recording will be hosted by Aled Jones, and the Songs of Praise team are looking for local, enthusiastic people to join the congregation for an outdoor evening of hymns and worship songs. It will take place on Wednesday 28th August from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.
Series Executive Producer/Director, Emyr Afan says: “This recording is a wonderful opportunity for local singers to come together for an evening of music-making for broadcast on BBC One. Songs of Praise has been championing Christian music for over 55 years and continues to be enormously popular due to recordings like these and we really hope you can come along. We have not filmed on the Isle of Wight for a very long time, so we are very excited to return!” The congregation will be joined by some very special celebrity guests as they record music for the UK’s Favourite Hymns programme (due for broadcast in late September) as well as for a programme from the Isle of Wight (airing later in the autumn).
Mike Christie, Wight Proms founder commented: “We’re thrilled to be teaming up with such a prestigious British institution as BBC’s Songs of Praise; to be adding another high-profile event to our already hugely diverse line-up!”
The Wight Proms is now a five-day festival which includes a whole host of great events: an Outdoor Cinema on the Thursday, showing Dirty Dancing and The Greatest Showman, ‘A Wight Laugh’ on the Friday night starring comedy legends Alan Davies and Shappi Khorsandi; Peter & the Wolf, a family show on the Saturday afternoon, ‘Wight at the Musicals’ on the Saturday night starring leading lady Ruthie Henshall and West End stars, and the ‘Last Wight of the Proms’ on the Sunday, starring the incredible Lesley Garrett and the Wight Proms Concert Orchestra. There are also a range of FREE arts workshops for 400 children to take part in comedy, musical theatre, opera and drumming & percussion, plus FREE face painting at the Saturday and Sunday events. Tickets are available via www.wightproms.co.uk
There will be a variety of food stalls on-site during the entire five-day festival, including Cowes’ very own ‘Harbour Kitchen’ burgers, as well as a tea and cake stand run by volunteers of Northwood House, so those attending can eat ‘picnic-style’ whilst enjoying the entertainment on stage.
Admission to the Songs of Praise recording is FREE. To apply, send your name and the number of people taking part to SOPcongregations@avantimedia.tv or call 0161 873 7073. Include “Isle of Wight Recording” in your subject header.
● Thursday 29 Aug – Outdoor Cinema, Wight at the Movies: 13:00 – The Greatest Showman (PG) 19:30 – Dirty Dancing (15)
● Friday 30 Aug – A Wight Laugh: 19:30 – Bringing internationally renowned comedians to Cowes for One Night Only! Starring comedy legends Alan Davies and Shappi Khorsandi, supported by Esther Manito.
● Saturday 31 Aug – Peter & the Wolf: 13:00 – This family concert is a perennial favourite by Sergei Prokofiev, and is suitable for all ages. It engages with the audience throughout and helps children to enjoy the experience of going to a concert by making it fun and entertaining.
● Saturday 31 Aug – Wight at the Musicals: 19:30 – Be transported to the world of musical theatre; bringing you some of the best-known and popular songs from the West End and Broadway. Starring Leading Lady Ruthie Henshall and West End stars: Craig Mather, Tessa Kadler, Mike Christie and Vivien Carter!
● Sunday 1 Sep – Last Wight of the Proms: 16:30 – The weekend will climax in a rousing celebration of British music and flag-waving, including Pomp & Circumstance, Jerusalem and many more. Starring Britain’s most cherished soprano Lesley Garrett and the Wight Proms Concert Orchestra
