Royal Variety Performance
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The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance. The performance showcases a variety of family entertainment, including comedy, singing, dance, magic and other speciality acts, with many of the performers and hosts being popular celebrities. The event is organised on behalf of the Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund of which Queen Elizabeth is patron. All proceeds are donated to the fund.
The performance is televised to the public and is considered by many to be a tradition of the Christmas season, being held late in November, or early in December. The responsibility of producing and broadcasting the performance is shared alternately between the BBC and ITV and it is becoming a tradition for the BBC to stage the performance in London's West End and for ITV to stage it in regional theatres outside of London.
The performance is a New Year's tradition in Norway, where it is broadcast at 00:00 on January 1. Several other European countries also broadcast the show.
