Introduced by Max Bygraves There's just 54 hours from the first rehearsal on the stage of Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to the arrival of HM The Queen for the 1985 Royal Variety Performance. In that short time, theatre director
Norman Maen must marshal! 116 dancers and 58 stars to produce the equivalent of a full-scale West End musical. The task is complicated by the requirements of the TV company under the direction of Alan Boyd. Away from the stage, photographers gather for the arrival of Joan Collins ; producer Louis Benjamin sips tea from the best china; and just ten minutes from the actual finale the would-be Fred Astaires show no signs of getting it right.
Cameraman PAUL SOMMERS Sound DAVID WELCH
Film editor CHRISTINE ROYLE Producer ROD TAYLOR BBC Manchester