OUR FINEST HOUR Celebrates Dunkirk And The Battle Of Britain In Concerts Across The UK

In commemoration of the miracle of Dunkirk and the decisive victory of the Battle of Britain, Our Finest Hour will see stars of stage and screen Peter Bowles and Kevin Whately host a series of triumphant and rousing concerts across the United Kingdom.

Featuring vocalist Annie Gill and the BBC Big Band, with music director Barry Forgie, Our Finest Hour looks back in the words and music of World War Two, bringing together the famous speeches of Winston Churchill and the best tunes of the time from the dance halls and wireless.

As Britain stood alone, facing the most fearful odds, Winston Churchill rallied the nation with his historic speeches, laying bare the enormous task that had to be undertaken on the road to final victory. Across the Channel, after the miracle of Dunkirk, the Germans readied their invasion plans but the Battle of Britain denied the Luftwaffe control of the skies and the Nazis turned instead towards attacking the Soviet Union. The music and songs of the era evoke so tellingly the national feelings of pride and determination mixed with typical British humour and a touch of self-deprecation. It really was Our Finest Hour.

From Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields to the Andrews Sisters and Glenn Miller, the music of the 1940s is as well-loved today as ever. Our Finest Hour will feature iconic songs such as We'll Meet Again, (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover and A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square as well as some of the classic music the war inspired, including the Dam Busters March and the music from Ron Goodwin's classic scores to Battle of Britain and 633 Squadron. Dunkirk Spirit and audience participation will be encouraged through rousing performances of Rule, Britannia!, I Vow to Thee My Country, and Land of Hope and Glory.

Our Finest Hour's spring dates include Birmingham Symphony Hall (13 April), Cardiff St David's Hall (15 April), Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (17 April), Edinburgh Usher Hall (18 April), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (20 April), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (a special St George's Day performance on 23 April), Gateshead Sage (3 May), Manchester Bridgewater Hall (4 May) and London's Barbican Hall (5 May).

Autumn dates are The Anvil, Basingstoke (22 September), Leicester De Montfort Hall (23 September), Leeds Town Hall (27 September), Newcastle City Hall (28 September), Ipswich Regent Theatre (30 September), Poole Lighthouse (4 October) and Cambridge Corn Exchange (5 October).