Celebrate the Grand Hotel’s 150th anniversary in style with November’s three-day Festival bringing to life many of the colourful personalities who have stayed or performed here.
Set against a backcloth from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, top-class performers will evoke stars such as Enrico Caruso, Dame Nellie Melba, John McCormack, Anna Pavlova, Paul Robeson, George Robey, Charlie Chaplin, and many others, not forgetting great composers such as Sir Edward Elgar.
Another was Claude Debussy (who brought more than a whiff of scandal when he stayed here for several weeks in 1905 as he completed his orchestral masterpiece, La Mer). There is a particularly poignant story linking Dame Clara Butt , the sinking of the Titanic, and the Grand Hotel’s famous Palm Court Orchestra, an ensemble that was later to grace weekly broadcasts on BBC Radio.
The programme, narrated by a favourite TV personality, has been created by Artistic Directors Stephannie Williams and Christopher Morley, who have promoted successful musical events at the Grand Hotel and Ashdown Park in recent years. We are also promised a dinner menu reflecting some of these great guests.
SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS
Friday 21st November - George VI, Elizabeth II, Charles III
Charlie Chaplin sings one of his most famous film scores, Yehudi Menuhin beguiles us with his violin, Peter Frankl does the same at the piano, and the Palm Court Trio entertain. Who knows whether some of the great names from pop music might put in an appearance? We might even find some gate crashers from the pre-war years!
Saturday 22nd November - George V, Edward VIII
Optional morning event “Coffee with the Stars”
Dame Clara Butt sings one of Elgar’s Sea Pictures, and links the sinking of the Titanic with the Grand Hotel’s renowned Palm Court Orchestra. We also hear from tenor John McCormack and Russian bass Feodor Chaliapin, as well as Paul Robeson. Paderewski plays Chopin, and Kreisler dazzles with violin virtuosity. We will also see Anna Pavlova dancing The Swan, and join George Robey in the music-hall.
Sunday 23rd November - Queen Victoria, Edward VII
Optional morning event “Beat the Stars” in a light-hearted musical quiz.
Caruso sings an Italian song by Tosti, knighted by Queen Victoria, and later joins Nellie Melba in the extended Love Duet from Puccini’s La Boheme. Debussy brings scandal to the Grand’s Room 200: who would have thought it had links with “Listen with Mother”?
PRICES
3 Night Package:
3 nights: £910.00 single occupancy (based on a Classic Room)
3 nights: £1,490.00 double occupancy (based on a Classic Room)
Enjoy a glass of Canard Duchene before dinner each evening, a 3-course dinner with coffee, entertainment, overnight accommodation in a Classic room, and access to the Health Club facilities.
2 Night package:
2 nights: £610.00 single occupancy (based on a Classic Room)
2 nights: £995.00 double occupancy (based on a Classic Room)
Enjoy a glass of Canard Duchene before dinner each evening, a 3-course dinner with coffee, entertainment, overnight accommodation in a Classic room, and access to the Health Club facilities.
For further information and to book your space, please contact the Reservations Department on 01323 412345.
A £50.00 per person deposit is required at the time of booking and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Dinner & Entertainment Only:
Dinner and entertainment @ £180.00 per person, per night - Enjoy a glass of Canard Duchene before dinner, a 3-course dinner with coffee and entertainment.