Record

Performance TitleStonewall - 1997 Equality Show
Performance Date26 October 1997
Performance DaySunday
Performance Time19:45
Main PerformersSian Phillips,
The 60's Tiller Girls,
Lily Savage,
Judi Dench,
Patrick Voullaire,
Mary Williams,
John Weight,
Jackie Clune,
Horse McDonald,
Lesley Garrett,
Jimmy Somerville
Secondary PerformersPhilip Thomas - piano (accompanist for Lesley Garrett),
David Shrubsole - piano,
Julian Jackson - violin,
Rob Levy - bass
Orchestra or BandPet Shop Boys,
The Dave Bintley Band
Set ListJackie Clune,
Horse MacDonald,
Lesley Garrett,
Jimmy Somerville,
The 1997 Equality Award,
Sian Phillips
INTERVAL
The 60's Tiller Girls,
Lily Savage,
'Sixteen Going On Seventeen', Rodgers and Hammerstein (Pet Shop Boys),
'Being Boring' (Pet Shop Boys),
'Climb Ev'ry Mountain', Rodgers and Hammerstein (Pet Shop Boys),
'Go West', Village People (Pet Shop Boys),
'It's Not Unusual', T Jones (Pet Shop Boys),
Finale
Performance NotesStonewall is the largest British charity for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality. Founded in 1988 to protest against the Section 28 amendment, which banned local authorities from ‘promoting’ homosexuality, Stonewall went from strength to strength and in 1994 they hosted the first of seven Stonewall Equality shows at the Royal Albert Hall

From 1994-2001 famous names from the LGBTQ+ community and a whole host of other celebrities took to our stage for the annual Equality Show galas, raising funds for Stonewall UK, the largest British and European charity for LGBTQ+ rights. The seven shows were directed by queer icon Sir Ian McKellen who subsequently also brought the 2006 EuroPride Show to the Hall. When they first started they were the biggest ticketed gay and lesbian event ever held in the UK, at the time. The shows created some of the most iconic moments in the Hall's history such as a dragged-up Sir Elton John singing 'Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves' with Kylie Minogue in a tasselled bikini or Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders appearing in their first live performances in character as Patsy and Eddie from Absolutely Fabulous.

Cherie Booth QC, the wife of politician Tony Blair, was honoured by Stonewall's director, Angela Mason at the event for her work in representing two lesbian railway employees in a discrimination case at the European Court of Justice. Booth wasn't present to receive the award but Mason's message of gratitude was read out to the 5,3000 crowd.
Related Archival MaterialProgramme (RAHE/1/1997/151),
Handbill (RAHE/6/1997/33)
Poster (RAHE/2/1997/23),
Video (RAHE/5/1997/2)
Ticket Prices£10-£50
URLhttps://thirdlight.royalalberthall.com/pf.tlx/oeEodXDonpwOWg
https://thirdlight.royalalberthall.com/pf.tlx/FCvFKA9FjmGvI
https://thirdlight.royalalberthall.com/pf.tlx/1p1kTv1k-vQBq
https://thirdlight.royalalberthall.com/pf.tlx/cYXcA1ctrU0D
Catalogue
Reference NumberTitleDate
RAHE/1/1997/151Stonewall - 1997 Equality Show 26 October 1997
RAHE/6/1997/33Stonewall - 1997 Equality Show26 October 1997
RAHE/2/1997/23Stonewall - 1997 Equality Show26 October 1997
RAHE/5/1/1997/8* Panorama - Gay Times ft. Stonewall - 1997 Equality Show26 October 1997
Work
Ref NoTitleNo of Performances
Ysogas_Z_VealStonewall - 1997 Equality Show1
Performers
CodeName of Performer(s)
DS/UK/6245Norton; Graham (4 April 1963); Irish presenter, comedian and actor
DS/UK/15674Pet Shop Boys (1981-)
DS/UK/13912Tiller Girls; 1890-; British female dance troupe
DS/UK/1076Garrett; Lesley (10 April 1955); CBE; English soprano singer, musician and broadcaster
DS/UK/2760Dench; Dame; Judi (9 December 1934); CH DBE FRSA; English actress
DS/UK/17340O'Grady; Paul (14 June 1955-28 March 2023); MBE DL; English comedian, actor, writer, and drag queen
DS/UK/17382Cameron; Rhona (1965-); Scottish comedian
DS/UK/17381McDonald; Horse (1958-); Scottish singer-songwriter
DS/UK/17379Clune; Jackie (1965-); British entertainer, writer
DS/UK/17378Somerville; Jimmy (1961-); Scottish pop singer-songwriter
DS/UK/17373Phillips; Sian (1933-); CBE; Welsh actress
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