Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo screened in China
For those interested in Scottish culture or the thrills and spills of a military spectacular, the internationally renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a must-see event. Now, before making the trip to Scotland in person, Chinese audiences have the chance to experience the event at the cinema.
In cooperation with ATW Beijing and CinemaLive, the Tattoo hit the Chinese big screen for the first time on Jan 25 in Beijing, the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Other screenings opened in Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Wuhan on the same day, offering audiences a true taste of Scottish pride and a celebration of world cultures.
The event being screened is the 2018 Tattoo which was based around the theme of “The Sky’s the Limit”, commemorating the centenary of Britain’s Royal Air Force and echoing Scotland’s “Year of Young People” in 2018.
Lynsey Fusco, director of marketing and communications at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, says they chose the aerial theme not simply to pay homage to the Royal Air Force for protecting the skies, but also to encourage young people to avoid placing limits on themselves and reach their true potential.
Featuring performers dressed in national costume — the glengarry, waistcoat and kilt — the event showcases authentic Scottish dancing and music characterized by the bagpipes and drums.
Apart from the recurring performance of the massed pipes and drums, the event also celebrates international cultures by inviting different military bands and performance troupes from around the world to take part, including Malawi, Oman, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the United States.
The spectacle is enhanced by visual touches such as projections onto the walls of Edinburgh Castle, spectacular fireworks and laser shows. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, also paint the sky with the iconic British national colors of red, white and blue by releasing smoke trails.
“Rather than simply being a series of military musical performances, the Tattoo is a comprehensive display by each country, one after another. During the 90-minute show, you will be able to experience the art and culture of each country, which is highly satisfying visually, aurally and emotionally,” theater practitioner Cui Hao says.
Since its debut in 1950, the Tattoo has been held every year throughout August on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, a famous Scottish landmark and historical site.
According to the Tattoo’s official statistics, the event has been sold out for the past 20 consecutive years, with each year attracting around 220,000 onsite spectators and a TV audience of over 100 million.
“Cinema is a fantastic way to see the show, since its impeccable sound quality and visuals offer a real flavor of Edinburgh in August,” Fusco says.
Throughout the festival’s history, troupes from more than 50 countries have participated in the event, including China. And as far back as 2004, the military band of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was invited to perform at the festival.
Most recently, in 2015, a troupe of 80 performers from the PLA band presented a show lasting over 8 minutes which combined army tunes with Chinese folk music.
Meanwhile, Fusco is keen to address the increasing demand for the Tattoo overseas.
In 2016, the Tattoo staged live performances in Australia and New Zealand, attracting audiences of more than 240,000.
As ties between China and the United Kingdom continue to grow, the Tattoo is becoming increasingly well-known in China. The number of Chinese people attending the event in Edinburgh soared in 2016 and the Tattoo is planning to stage performances in China from 2020, Fusco says.