Main Performers | Rt. Hon. Earl of Bessborough, Archbishop Godfrey, Sir Robert Boothby, Rt. Hon. Kenneth Younger, Rt. Hon. Clement Davies, Hon. Richard Rhys, Elona Hollos, Jennie Lee, Rt. Hon. Viscount De L'Isle, Bob Edwards, Lajos Lederer, Freddie Grisewood, Anna Kethly (message only), Lord Mayor of London (message only), Rt. Hon. Lord Harewood, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Fisher - speakers
Cynthia Jolly - vocal, William Glock - piano, Oswald Peasgood |
Set List | 'Agnus Dei' (Missa Brevis), Kodaly (The Bach Choir), Speeches, Speech (Archbishop of Canterbury), Minutes Silence, Resolution - the immediate return of Hungarians who have been deported, the introduction of United Nations observers into Hungary and the holding of free elections, 'Hungarian National Anthem', 'God Save the Queen' (The National Anthem) |
Performance Notes | Some of the men and women who fought in Hungary wore masks to avoid identifcation, entering the Hall. Members of Parliaments and religious leaders also attended.
"DR FISHER ATTACKS THE "DESPOTS OF RUSSIA". "TO UNIQUE DEGREE SLAVES OF THE DEVIL". The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Fisher, denounced the rulers of Russia last night as being "to a unique degree the instruments and slaves of the Devil." In a scathing attack on what he called "the despots of Russia," he declared "the Soviet Government is known throughout the world as never before to be the universal enemy of mankind." Dr Fisher was addressing 3,500 people at a "Britain Stands By Hungary" mass meeting in the Albert Hall, London. He was continually interrupted by cheers and applause as he delivered his denunciation of the Kremlin... The meeting began dramatically with the entry on the platform of 20 Hungarian freedom fighters, some masked in black to hide their identity. The audience rose and cheered... When collection boxes were submitted after the meeting a Latvian collector, Miss Aina Ozola, handed in a ring with six diamonds, valued about £150, given by an anonymous middle-aged woman who had said: "I have nothing else to give, so please take this ring."" (The Daily Telegraph, 29 November 1956) |