PIWeek 13March 24 - March 30 2012

Titanic: A Commemoration In Music And FilmTitanic Commemoration Announces Star Line-Up

Titanic: A Commemoration In Page 3Music And FilmTitanic Commemoration Announces Star Line-Up

Titanic With Len Goodman Page 5Len Goodman discovers how the impact of the Titanic disaster is still felt a century after the ship sank The Great Northern Songbook – 150 Years Page 8Of The Ulster HallCelebrate 150 years of The Ulster Hall with BBC Radio Ulster’s Great Northern Songbook

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Programme Information New this week

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Titanic Commemoration Announces Star Line-Up

Titanic: A Commemoration In Music And Film, live from Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, BBC Two, Saturday, April 14.

To register for complimentary tickets, log on to bbc.co.uk/tickets

Local, national and international performers to appear in Titanic: A Commemoration In Music And Film

A star-studded line-up of local

and international performers will

appear in Titanic: A

Commemoration In Music And

Film, which will be broadcast live

on BBC Two on April 14 2012, 100

years after the ill-fated liner hit

an iceberg.

The 90-minute event comes from the

Belfast Waterfront, just across the river

from Harland and Wolff shipyard, where

the famous ship was built, and will include

the Ulster Orchestra and massed choir

performances.

Archive and specially commissioned

documentary material, accompanied by

stunning visual effects, will retell the story

of the ship, those who built her and those

who perished or survived.

The final line up of performers will be

announced nearer to the event. Those

already confirmed to appear include the

legendary Bryan Ferry, Grammy award-

winning soul and R&B singer/songwriter

Joss Stone, Charlie Siem, one of the UK’s

brightest new classical stars, acclaimed

The legendary Bryan Ferry who will be performing at Titanic: A Commemoration In Music And Film at the Belfast Waterfront on April 14. The event will be broadcast live on BBC Two

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Internationally renowned Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, one of those lined up to perform at Titanic: A Commemoration In Music And Film, live on BBC Two from the Belfast Waterfront on April 14

Grammy award-winning soul and R&B singer/songwriter Joss Stone will be appearing in Titanic: A Commemoration In Music And Film in the Belfast Waterfront on April 14 to be broadcast live on BBC Two

English tenor Alfie Boe, internationally

renowned Scottish violinist Nicola

Benedetti (guest soloist with leading

orchestras all over the world including:

LSO, Hallé, New York Philharmonic),

Armagh-born actor Colin Morgan (star of

BBC One’s ‘Merlin’) and Belfast actor Ian

McElhinney (City of Ember, Closing the

Ring and Game of Thrones).

Jan Younghusband, Commissioning

Editor for Music and Events said: “We

are delighted to bring Titanic: A

Commemoration In Music And Film to

audiences across the UK live on BBC Two

from the Waterfront in Belfast, where the

world’s most famous ship was built.

“The concert will be a dignified

commemoration of those who died and a

celebration of the craftsmanship and en-

deavour it took to build this iconic ship.

The talent line-up includes local, national

and international stars who will bring the

story of Titanic to life in a fitting tribute 100

years after the ship’s sinking in the North

Atlantic.”

The public may register for complimentary

tickets to the event from now until 5pm on

Wednesday, March 28 from bbc.co.uk/

tickets. A maximum of four tickets will

be allocated per household address on the

basis of a random draw. No applications

will be accepted after the closing date and

duplicate applications will not be

considered.

The project, which has been commis-

sioned by BBC Two and BBC Northern

Ireland from independent production com-

pany, Whizz Kid Entertainment and Ander-

son Spratt Group Ltd, received funding

from Northern Ireland Tourist Board and

Northern Ireland Screen and is support-

ed by Belfast City Council and Tourism

Ireland.

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Titanic With Len Goodman

Titanic With Len Goodman, Friday, March 30, BBC One, 8.30pm

Len Goodman discovers how the impact of the Titanic disaster is still felt a century after the ship sank

In the new three part series,

Titanic With Len Goodman,

Strictly Come Dancing judge

Len discovers how the impact of

the Titanic disaster is still felt a

century after the ship sank.

Len has his own connection to the Titanic.

Before he was a dancer, he was a welder

for Harland and Wolff, the company that,

from 1909 -1912, built Titanic, in Belfast.

Len worked for Harland and Wolff 50 years

later at their yard in East London.

To mark the centenary of the Titanic

tragedy, Len explores the ship’s 100 year

legacy in the three-part series, Titanic With

Len Goodman, on BBC One starting Friday,

March 30. In the series, Len learns how for

the victims’ families - and for the survivors

themselves - the sinking of the ship was

just the beginning of the story. Generations

later, those stories linked to the Titanic are

still unfolding as Len meets the modern day

descendants to learn how, a century on,

Titanic’s legacy lives on.

In the first programme of the series, Len

discovers how Titanic claimed the lives

of eight men in Belfast before she even

touched the water. He tries his hand at

riveting, experiencing first-hand the blood

Titanic with Len Goodman

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and sweat that went into building a ship

a century ago. He visits Southampton, to

find out why it was the city hit hardest by

Titanic’s death toll. He meets descendants

of Titanic’s crew who describe how just

traumatised the disaster left their relatives.

Len also explores the story of the Titanic

band. It’s one of the best known stories

from the ship, but few will have heard how

the death of one of the musicians tore his

family apart for one hundred years. Len

meets a descendant who tells him how and

why this happened.

In the second programme, Len returns

to Belfast to discover how a group of

eight men who helped build Titanic, were

specially chosen to sail on her, and finally

died on her. He brings their stories to

life as he explores the very building, now

derelict, where they once worked and talks

to one of their great granddaughters. In

London, he meets the man whose great

uncle survived the tragedy, only to pay for

his life with his reputation. Len learns how,

even 100 years on, Titanic still sometimes

casts a shadow over the family. And he helps

two Titanic historians uncover the life of a

stewardess who survived the disaster, only

to disappear afterwards. Her story leads

them to a Belfast family who, until now, had

no idea they had a Titanic connection.

In the final programme of the

series, Len explores Titanic’s legacy. He

discovers what life was like for crew on board

Titanic, through the memoirs of one of the

stewardesses on board. And in order to

get a sense of what Titanic was really like,

he takes a tour around her modern-day

counterpart, the Queen Mary 2. Just like

Titanic a century ago, this is now the largest

cruise liner in the world.

He learns how, in the struggle to put the

disaster behind them, the family of the

man who owned Titanic did their best to

Len at Harland & Wolff in Belfast

Len Goodman in the Harland & Wolff Drawing offices in Belfast

forget all about their connection to the ship. Through the stories of two Irish brothers in steerage, Len discovers that, on Titanic, having money could save your life, and reveals the statistics that show that the price of your ticket reflected the value of your life.

He finds out how a respectable sea captain who was blamed for the deaths of all on

board Titanic was still fighting to clear his

name right up to his death in the 1960s.

Unfortunately, the key piece of evidence

to clear his name was not discovered until

1985 after he had died. It was the wreck of

the ship.

And Len discovers how the Titanic

disaster changed sea travel for ever. A new,

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international convention was introduced to

make travelling at sea safe and fair for all

regardless of class. Len speaks to the

modern sea captain who, today, follows

these laws to the letter.

Len says: “Making this series has been a

fascinating journey for me. You might think

the Titanic story was just about a ship that

sank. But I’ve found out there is so much

more to it than that. The real story of the

Titanic isn’t about a ship, it’s about people,

and in making this series I’ve been lucky to

meet some wonderful personalities who

Len Goodman looks around the offices of Harland & Wolff in Belfast

astonished me with their tales of how

Titanic affected their families forever. We

filmed all over the UK, but spent a whole

week in Belfast where I had a wonderful

time meeting people. I thoroughly enjoyed

myself, and really hope everyone will get as

much enjoyment watching it at home.”

Edward Hart, who directed and produced

the series, says: “Working with Len was a

total pleasure. He’s a constant professional

who’s determined to get it right whatever

the weather. He’s also sharp as a tack, with

a curious mind and, as we all know from

Strictly, a lovely manner with people. That,

and his own experience in a Harland and

Wolff shipyard, made him the ideal man

with whom to explore Titanic’s legacy.”

Titanic with Len Goodman is an

independent production from

360Production for BBC One & BBC

Northern Ireland. It has been made with

funding from Northern Ireland Screen.

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Celebrate 150 years of The Ulster Hall with BBC Radio Ulster’s Great Northern SongbookVote for your favourite Northern Ireland song to be performed at the Great Northern Songbook – 150 Years Of The Ulster Hall event

BBC Radio Ulster is celebrating

the 150th anniversary of the icon-

ic Belfast music venue The Ulster

Hall with the one-off event The

Great Northern Songbook – 150

Years Of The Ulster Hall.

This special concert, which takes place

inside the Ulster Hall on Tuesday, May

22, 2012, is supported by Belfast City

Council and will see some of Northern

Ireland’s most popular music talent join

forces with the Ulster Orchestra to

perform the nation’s 10 favourite songs

composed by local songwriters - as voted

for by the public and BBC Radio Ulster

and BBC Radio Foyle specialist music

presenters.

From Friday, March 16, music fans can log

on to bbc.co.uk/radioulster to vote for

their favourite locally-composed song

from a shortlist compiled by present-

ers Gerry Anderson, Colin Murray, Ralph

McLean, Lynette Fay, Stuart Bailie, Cherrie

McIlwaine, Rigsy, John Toal, Hugo Duncan,

John Bennett, Alan Simpson and Brian

Mullen.

This public vote will run for two weeks

until Friday, March 30. We will also be

releasing complimentary tickets to The

Great Northern Songbook – 150 Years

Of The Ulster Hall event. Ticket applica-

tions can be made from noon, on Friday,

March 30, until 5pm on Friday, April 13 at

Cara Dillon will perform alongside the Ulster Orchestra at BBC Radio Ulster/ BBC Radio Foyle concert Great Northern Songbook – 150 Years Of The Ulster Hall.

Great Northern Songbook – 150 Years Of The Ulster Hall. bbc.co.uk/radioulster

The Answer will perform at the unique concert

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Katharine Philippa

bbc.co.uk/tickets. A maximum of four

tickets will be allocated per household

address using a random draw. No late

applications will be accepted and duplicate

applications will not be considered.

Among the top Northern Ireland acts

already lined-up to perform at the concert

are Cara Dillon, Brian Kennedy, rock band

The Answer, General Fiasco and Katharine

Philippa. Further acts are yet to be

announced.

The concert will be hosted by BBC

Radio Ulster presenters Ralph McLean and

Lynette Fay and will be broadcast live on the

station at 8pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

Ralph McLean says: “We’ve always made

great music here in Northern Ireland and

some of the very greatest songs ever have

been written by artists from up here. From

Van Morrison to Jimmy Kennedy, we’ve

produced songwriters of the very highest

quality, people who’ve written tunes that

have made people happy whatever their

musical taste. I’m immensely proud of that

heritage and I can’t tell you how excited

I am about hosting the Great Northern

Songbook – 150 Years Of The Ulster Hall.

“The people who listen to our evening

shows know their music like few others

so it’s going to be fascinating to see what

favourites they pick. The fact that it’s in the

Ulster Hall also means a lot to me. I couldn’t

tell you how many great nights of music I’ve

enjoyed in that historic venue down the

years. I think it’s the perfect setting for a

celebration like this. Bring it on!”

Lynette Fay says: “BBC Radio Ulster is

a huge supporter of local bands and

local music of all styles. The Great

Northern Songbook will further

celebrate our diverse musical legacy,

and it’s very fitting that the live event

will take place on the illustrious stage

of the Ulster Hall, which played host

to many great local and international

artists through the years. The BBC Radio

Ulster audience love, know and understand

music and I’m delighted that they will be part

of this celebration. I can’t wait to learn the

results of the public vote and ultimately I’m

really looking forward to being part of yet

another historical music event on a great

stage.”

Fergus Keeling, Head of Radio, BBC

Northern Ireland, says: “Local music,

in its many guises, is a vital part of our

schedule. Staging this unique event to

mark the anniversary of this renowned

music venue is our way of thanking our

listeners for making us their home for

specialist music and giving them their say

on something we know they are extremely

passionate about. Any 10 songs from our

shortlist would make for a wonderful night

of music. That they will be performed by

some of the best music talent Northern

Ireland has to offer, will make this a night

to remember.”

Jacqui Owens, Operations Manager of

Belfast Waterfront and The Ulster Hall,

said: “Since opening its doors 150 years ago

The Ulster Hall has been part of the very

life blood of Belfast. Stars have shone and

legends have been born in equal measure.

While Led Zeppelin famously gave their

very first live performance of ‘Stairway to

Heaven’ here, The Grand Dame of Bedford

Street has played host to a vast array of

world famous names, from Charles Dickens

to Motörhead.

“The Ulster Hall has been

instrumental in helping make legends of

numerous home-grown performers down

through the years and propelling our

arts and entertainment talent onto the

national and international stages.

Performers like Van Morrison, Ruby

Murray, The Undertones, Stiff Little

Fingers, Ash, Snow Patrol and countless

others have cut their teeth on this famous

old stage - performing timeless music that

has become the soundtrack for generations

across the world.

“It’s therefore fitting that we should cel-

ebrate The Ulster Hall’s 150th Birthday by

showcasing the 10 most popular songs by

local artists as voted by local people. BBC

Radio Ulster plays a pivotal role in cham-

pioning home-grown music and we are

delighted to partner with them to present

Great Northern Songbook.”

• This public vote is available online only

from bbc.co.uk/radioulster and will

open on Friday, March 16 and run for two

weeks until Friday, March 30.

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Ralph McLean and Lynette will host the live concert

A total of 32 songs have been shortlisted by BBC Radio Ulster’s specialist music pre-

senters. The public can vote for their favourite song from: Rudi - ‘Big Time’/ The Un-

dertones - ‘Teenage Kicks’/ Ash - ‘Shining Light’/ Brian Kennedy - ‘Captured’/

Stiff Little Fingers - ‘Alternative Ulster’/ Them - ‘Gloria’/ The Undertones - ‘My Perfect

Cousin’/ Van Morrison - ‘Madame George’/ Two Door Cinema Club - ‘Something

Good Can Work’/ Snow Patrol - ‘Run’/ Divine Comedy - ‘Tonight We Fly’/ Paul Brady

- ‘The Island’/ Phil Coulter - ‘The Town I Loved So Well’/ Duke Special - ‘Freewheel’/

The Divine Comedy - ‘Songs Of Love’/ The Four Of Us - ‘Mary’/ The McPeakes - ‘Will

You Go Lassie Go’/ David McWilliams – ‘Days Of Pearly Spencer’/ Bap Kennedy

– ‘Moonlight Kiss’/ Jimmy Kennedy - ‘South of the Border’/ Van Morrison – ‘Moon-

dance’/ Van Morrison – ‘Brown Eyed Girl’/ Henry McCullough – ‘Belfast to Boston’/

Clannad – ‘Theme from Harry’s Game’/ Jimmy Kennedy – ‘Red Sails In The Sunset’/

Snow Patrol – ‘Chasing Cars’/ Cara Dillon – ‘Hill of Thieves’/ Tommy Sands – ‘The

County Down’/ Kieran Goss – ‘Brand New Star’/ Phil Coulter – ‘Scorn Not His

Simplicity’/ Phil Coulter – ‘Congratulations’/ Jimmy Kennedy - ‘Harbor Lights’.

• The public may register for

complimentary tickets to the event from

noon, on Friday, March 30, until 5pm on

Friday, April 13 at bbc.co.uk/tickets.

A maximum of four tickets will be allo-

cated per household address on the basis

of a random draw. No applications will be

accepted after the closing date and

duplicate applications will not be

considered.

• The concert will be broadcast live on

BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle at

8pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.