Calling all Gerry Anderson fans – Stand by for Action!
For anyone growing up in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Gerry Anderson’s name instantly means EXCITEMENT!
From Fireball XL5 to Thunderbirds, Stingray to Space: 1999, and Captain Scarlet to UFO, the Anderson name captivated young minds with an unforgettable mix of thrills, spills, technology, heroics and, of course, iconic music.
For one night only on Saturday 16 April, Anderson Entertainment is bringing together a 55-piece orchestra to play every theme from every Gerry Anderson show from 1957 to 2005 plus a few iconic incidental pieces, suites and surprises along the way.
The event not only celebrates the work of the fabulous Barry Gray but all of the composers who worked with Gerry Anderson across the decades including Derek Wadsworth, Crispin Merrell and Richard Harvey – Merrell and Harvey are both involved in the concert’s production.
This is the very first time that all of the themes have been collected and performed in this way. Hosted by Jon Culshaw, the event promises to be an incredible voyage of nostalgia taking fans through six decades of Anderson productions. A master of voices and mimicry, Culshaw joined International Rescue last year to play Jeff Tracy and Parker in a new range of Thunderbirds audio stories produced by Anderson Entertainment.
The concert will also be jam-packed with visuals from the shows and is sure to be a warm fuzzy nostalgic treat for everyone! Fans may also be reminded of shows they’re less familiar with – or even possibly don’t know yet.
Stand by for Action! comes hot on the heels of the release of a new documentary about the life and career of Gerry Anderson (who is often dubbed the UK’s Walt Disney). Gerry Anderson: A Life Uncharted premieres at the BFI Southbank on 9 April and on Britbox on 14 April – Gerry Anderson Day.
Gerry’s son, Jamie Anderson, who is co-producing Stand by for Action! believes there’s something uniquely positive about his father’s unique blend of science fiction elements. Jamie says: “So much of the sci-fi we see today is dystopian but Dad’s series tended to be utopian – looking forward to a better future. Yes, there were negative influences… you can’t have drama without it. But the outlook was always positive.
“So much of what was created on these shows has become real. Just look at Elon Musk’s latest rockets – they bear a striking resemblance to Fireball XL5! Add to that video conferencing, orbital satellites, travelling to Mars, facial recognition and so much more…
“Through heroic characters, amazing vehicles and innovative tools, Dad and his team inspired people to make the world a better place – values that have stuck and continue to resonate today.”
Stand by for Action! Gerry Anderson in Concert is a one night only event at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on 16 April 2022.
A few tickets are still available here
For more nostalgia visit gerryanderson.com plus all sorts of exciting items based on the iconic shows can be found in The Official Gerry Anderson Store
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