Proms keep it classical and axe TV spin-offs
THE Proms has ditched TV spin-off concerts after experiments with Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who-themed events failed to lure new audiences into classical music.
Special nights based on BBC ‘blockbusters’ such as Planet Earth, Sherlock and CBeebies have been some of the most popular in the programme, and have regularly sold out since they were first introduced 20 years ago.
But the BBC said there were concerns these more ‘populist’ TV events were attracting one-off visitors, who weren’t then attending any other parts of the festival.
The absence of any TV-themed concerts is likely to please traditional audience members and critics, who favour the high-brow classical music concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
But the programme for the 122th year still features some experimental events, including the first ‘relaxed’ Prom, which is aimed at those with autism, learning disabilities and other impairments.
Contemporary music also features strongly, and there will be a concert in Hull, this year’s UK City of Culture, marking the first time the Proms has left London since the 1930s.
On the decision to ditch concerts celebrating TV shows, Proms director David Pickard explained: ‘We have to be careful that when we ally ourselves with a BBC brand… that we are always thinking, that we want this audience to be the one that isn’t just going to go to Doctor Who and go away, but go to the Doctor Who Prom and then maybe come to a concert the next night. I’m not saying the Doctor Who Prom won’t come back again.’
Proms bosses are hoping that new fans will be attracted to the summer event, which runs from July 14 to September 9, by a concert celebrating the work of Hollywood composer John Williams, who is responsible for film scores, including for Harry Potter, Star Wars and Jaws.