With music reflective of the moment, a score as cool as 007 himself, the best place to watch Skyfall is the Albert Hall.
To celebrate 60 years of James Bond, the Royal Albert Hall hosted a charity concert in October showcasing the iconic music of Bond. To follow this up, they are giving a series of full in-concert screenings of recent Bond films, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Last Friday, it was the turn of Skyfall in Concert, conducted by Anthony Gabriele, who showcased Thomas Newman’s BAFTA-winning score performed live in sync to the picture. Released in 2012, Skyfall is the franchise’s most successful film to date. Directed by Sam Mendes, it pits 007 against cyberterrorist and former MI6 agent Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem). From a thrilling chase across the rooftops of Istanbul to the violent underworld of Macau, Bond’s pursuit of Silva ultimately leads to the streets of London and the very heart of MI6 itself.
Mendes was a special guest and gave an introduction. He explained how he had directed Daniel Craig in 2002’s Road to Perdition, and when Craig was later mooted a possible James Bond, he didn’t imagine it working. But he ate his words when Craig showed the world what he could do with 2006’s Casino Royale. He also described how it was a slightly tipsy Craig who spontaneously offered him the directing job on Skyfall at a party they were both attending. Mendes’ pride in the film, and how it came together so magically, really shone through. He rounded his introduction up by reflecting on how every actor they wanted said yes, Dame Judi Dench said yes to M being killed off, and even the late Queen Elizabeth II got in on the Bond action that year by agreeing to jump out of a helicopter and parachute into the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics!
Seeing a new Bond film for the first time is always an experience. Even watching an old one curled up on the sofa with a glass of something chilled is a treat. So to watch the most successful one in the majestic surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by the crème de la crème of orchestras, was like an early Christmas present.
Music is as inextricably linked to Bond as the martini, the exotic cars, and the beautiful women. It is a genre all on its own, guaranteed to make your heart beat faster and take your breath away.
James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: “Music has always played a vital role in the success of the 007 series. Over the sixty year history, we have been blessed with the extraordinary talents of legendary composers and artists who have created the most powerful and moving musical contributions to our 25 films.”
Conductor Anthony Gabriele presided over his orchestra with precision. At 2hrs 23 mins, the length of this film is no mean feat for an orchestra, and a conductor on his feet. Their efforts were deservedly met with a standing ovation at the end of the evening.
The Royal Albert Hall has a long-running association with 007, having hosted the world premieres of Die Another Day, Skyfall, Spectre, and most recently No Time To Die. It was 20 years ago last Friday the late Queen Elizabeth II attended the world premiere of Die Another Day.
Lucy Noble, Artistic Director of the Royal Albert Hall, said: “The Hall has forged an indelible association with 007 over many years and we are delighted to help them celebrate.”
Bond and the Royal Albert Hall are as quintessentially British as each other. Given their intertwined history, it is surprising it has not yet featured in the series. Other iconic London landmarks have, including Buckingham Palace in Die Another Day, the Houses of Parliament and the O2 Arena in The World is Not Enough (back then the Millennium Dome) and the National Gallery in Skyfall. The Royal Albert Hall has private boxes, ideal for a silent but deadly battle between Bond and a villain, as a performance happens on stage. On the basement level there are dressing rooms, tunnels, and storerooms, befitting for Bond to dispose of a villain in, after a fatal clash. Waiters, cloakroom staff and other personnel wander around, perfect for an inconspicuous yet ruthless henchman to pose as whilst up to no good. If the above ever happens in a future Bond film, remember you heard it here first!