SADLER’S WELLS IS DANCE
Already confirmed for the festival is “Sadler’s Wells is Dance”. Sadler’s Wells has been located in Islington, near Angel, since 1683. Sadler’s Wells is a theatre with a strong, dynamic contemporary programme, uniquely dedicated to bringing the very best international and UK dance to London audiences. From cutting-edge performance to mainstream contemporary dance, tango to tap and flamenco to family shows, the joy of movement and celebration of dance are always at the heart of Sadler’s Wells. To celebrate their diverse programme, Sadler’s Wells have produced an exclusive gala night of dance for the Tower Festival featuring the best of Ballet, Ballroom, Flamenco and contemporary dance. Sadler’s Wells is Dance will include amazing performances from Tamara Rojo (Ballet), Paco Pena & Company (Flamenco) while Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag, stars of Strictly Come Dancing, will perform a selection of ballroom and Latin Dances.

LESLEY GARRETT AND THE FRON MALE VOICE CHOIR
Also confirmed is Lesley Garrett and the Fron Male Voice Choir (conductor: Ann Atkinson) with the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble. Lesley Garrett CBE is Britain’s most popular soprano, regularly appearing in both opera and in concert, on television and CD; she has won both critical acclaim and the affection of many fans and music lovers. As a recording artist, she has thirteen solo CDs to her credit; Soprano in Red received the Gramophone Award for ‘Best-selling Classical Artist of the Year’, Diva! A Soprano At The Movies, Prima Donna, Simple Gifts, Soprano in Red, Soprano in Hollywood, and I Will Wait for You all received silver discs and A Soprano Inspired and Lesley Garrett both achieved gold discs. Lesley was awarded a CBE in the 2002 New Year’s Honours List for Services to Music and is a Member of the Board of the Royal Academy of Music.

FRON MALE VOICE CHOIR
In 2007 The Fron Male Voice Choir became the fastest selling classical act of all time. The choir, under their musical director, Ann Atikinson are from the tiny village of Froncysyllte in North Wales and achieved the accolade with their platinum selling album “Voices Of The Valley”. The amateur choir consists of builders, policemen, farmers and prison wardens as well as many retirees, some of whom worked in the coalmines. 2008 saw the Fron release their third album entitled, “Home” which featured a highly publicised collaboration with Rolf Harris. The choir and Rolf created a moving re-working of Rolf’s 1969 huge hit, “2 little boys”. The project aim was to raise awareness of the 90th Anniversary of the armistice and the Fron were featured singing the track with Rolf in various TV shows including Rolf’s “My Family at War” which was screened on primetime BBC 1.

GILBERT AND SULLIVANS THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD
CARL ROSA OPERA are proud to present a new production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Yeoman of the Guard, featuring a cast of over fifty singers and actors elaborately costumed and accompanied by the full Carl Rosa Opera Orchestra. These special and unique performances are the first time The Yeomen of the Guard has been performed in the Towers moat since 1978. The production, commissioned by the Tower Festival, will be one of the only times you will be able to see The Yeomen of the Guard performed within the space where the action is set. The Yeoman of the Guard, set in the Tower of London during the 16th century, is a tale of ill-fated love, intrigue and escape in Tudor England. A framed Colonel is to be executed in the Tower of London on charges of witchcraft. A mock marriage would cheat his betrayer of his estate. The court jester offers his sweetheart a bag of coins.and the plot is set. The Yeomen of the Guard was written at the request of Queen Victoria in celebration of the opening in 1888 of the Tower of London after its restoration. This production will be the 121st anniversary of the operas’ first presentation.