| Aziz Idris |
TO MARK the 92nd birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam held the annual Queen’s Birthday Party (QBP) celebration, at the theatre of The Empire Hotel & Country Club last night.
This high-profile event was attended by the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud along with prominent guests from the public and private sector, the British community, members from the Diplomatic Corps as well as youth leaders and non-governmental organisation representatives.
British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Richard Lindsay welcomed guests on the occasion of Her Majesty The Queen’s 92nd birthday.
He highlighted the close links between the United Kingdom and Brunei Darussalam, and explained the creative arts theme of the evening.
“The range of this evening’s performances will demonstrate the diversity of British music and dance – from West End musicals, chart music, classical, and ending with the pipes and drums.
“What is most exciting is that the performances tonight are by Brunei’s own talented local artistes. Another great way to celebrate the close and enduring people to people links between our countries,” he said.
Lindsay acknowledged the generous sponsors for this year’s QBP; Standard Chartered Bank, JLR Indera Motors and Supa Save.
Guests enjoyed British themed food and viewed a photography exhibition of key bilateral events over the last year.
A range of British music and dance from West End theatre, chart hits and classical music was performed throughout the evening.
Local artiste Maria Grace Koh opened this year’s QBP with an ‘a cappella’ rendition of the national anthems of Brunei and Britain.
This was followed by a performance by Relentless Entertainment with their energetic rendition of song and dance from Matilda and Mary Poppins, both famous musicals from London’s West End, and both adaptations from books written by famous British authors.
The second performance was a medley of British chart music – covering The Beatles, Amy Winehouse and Ed Sheeran, created and performed by The Ellewan, a new local folk duo who have just released their first single on iPlayer.
Jerudong International School’s senior orchestra, Camerata then performed Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 1.
One of the most recognisable pieces of British classical music, it is included every year in the special concert to mark ‘The Last Night of The Proms’ in London’s Royal Albert Hall. The Proms are a series of concerts which make up the world’s largest and longest-running music festival, featuring artistes and orchestras from across the world.
The guests were also treated to a rousing finale at the entrance to the theatre provided by the combined Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles (British Forces Brunei) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
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