MARY PETERS – 40 GOLDEN YEARS
CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENT
01 / INTRODUCTION
CRAFTING TAILORED ENTERTAINMENT FOR DISCERNING BRANDS
The Mary Peters Trust approached Peter Corry Productions with the idea of putting together a live show to celebrate Lady Mary Peters & the Trust’s incredible achievements, celebrating 40 years since her Olympic gold medal win.
Prioritising quality and excellence in every experience
02 / BRIEF
celebrating LADY mary
Devise a stage show that would replicate a TV style interview format with variety style entertainment and performances from high profile performers from Northern Ireland.
Produce an evening with a real wow factor, sense of place and occasion, a gala event.
An audience to be invited, made up of supporters of Mary’s charity work and high profile sporting colleagues she had met along her journey.
A stage set that would work for a theatrical setting but would feel reminiscent of a TV set up was devised and designed by our suppliers in consultation with the Trust over imagery and design choices.
Our partnerships exemplify our dedication to curating bespoke luxury entertainment that resonates with discerning brands and their esteemed clientele.
03 / CHALLENGES
Sudden change… not a problem
The main challenge was that the Trust wanted to surprise Lady Mary so we devised a ‘This Is Your Life’ style evening where she would be invited down from the audience at the start of the night to become the star of the show at the Grand Opera House, Belfast.
She knew the event was taking place, that lots of her friends and supporters were invited and that there would be interviews and entertainment but, she didn’t know the exact line up, or the finer details, preferring to come along and just enjoy the evening herself.
One major challenge we encountered an hour before doors opened to the public, was that we had to make a revision in running order due to a late change in artist availability. Despite having completed a technical rehearsal of the whole event, our team worked quickly to alter the running order, addressing all technical needs and changes to audio, lighting and video cues to ensure the doors opened on time ensuring no delay to the proceedings. These were executed without fault on the night for a seamless performance.
04/ SHOWTIME
CAPTIVATING THE SENSES
The surprise ran perfectly and Lady Mary was thrilled to be invited on stage. As each guest and interviewer appeared, her delight and enjoyment were clear to see.
Our strong working relationship with Gerry Kelly as the main host meant that we worked hand in hand with him and the Trust to devise, write and refine all scripted aspects and performance choices while the Trust handled liaisons with the Olympic medalists and sporting royalty.
Eamonn Holmes OBE and Patrick Kielty were two of the many interviewers who spoke to Lady Mary about her journey, reminiscing over old times, alongside the highest calibre of Olympic medalists including Sir Stephen Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes, Jane Torville and Duncan Goodhew to name but a few.
Van Morrison and Phil Coulter were among some of the entertainers who came along to perform during the course of the evening and a scripted piece read by Dan Gordon was specially commissioned. Performances by Brian Kennedy, David Meade and May McFettridge made for a truly Northern Irish celebration.
Peter Corry Productions helped to devise and produce the evening along with the Trust, covering production management, liaising with the venue, overseeing the set install and running all aspects of rehearsal and execution with our dedicated stage management team.
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If you have an anniversary coming up and like the idea of celebrating your, or your company’s life story then get in touch.
The ‘This Is Your Life’ format works on a large or small scale (surprise optional).