Royal Variety Performance 2011 - Hayley Westenra

Updated after the TV broadcast - click here

Hayley Westenra confirmed on Saturday 3rd December her attendance at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance. Hayley tweeted:

1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone

Hayley first appeared at the Royal Variety Performance in 2003 at the age of 16, we have a recording of her performances of Pokarekare Ana and Amazing Grace here in the HWI archives. You can also watch this performance, together with a 2007 interview with Hayley about it (2003 show) and highlights here on our Youtube channel.

It will be rehearsals today, see below for further details of Hayley's actual performance(s) on Monday as we receive them!

More generally, the 2011 Royal Variety Performance will be held in Manchester (specifically Salford, The Lyric Theatre at The Lowry) on December 5th and it will broadcast in the UK on ITV1 on Wednesday 14th December. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, KCVO, CB, ADC(P) will attend the performance.

Some of the singers and other acts to be announced officially are: Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, Jai McDowall, Il Divo, Tim Minchin and the ITV website adds: "as well as a number of sensational surprises." The official RVP website confirms that more performers have yet to be announced.

UPDATES AFTER THE SHOW AND TV BROADCAST

The show was broadcast by ITV1 and ITV1 HD during peak viewing hours on Wednesday 14th December, watched by a viewing audience of up to 8 million people. Hayley sang the National Anthem at the start, and later sang with with World famous operatic tenor Rolando Villazon in a three part sequence entitled "A Celebration of The Movies".

Rolando sang first with the Charlie Chaplin song Smile, followed by Hayley singing Gabriel's Oboe (Whispers In A Dream) and finally, after a rapid change of scene for Hayley, a duet Tonight from West Side Story, with Rolando.

As usual, all the performers including Hayley met the member of the Royal Family who attended, this year it was Princess Anne. Here are a few screen captures and photos taken from the media before and during the show.

Videos of Hayley's performances have already been posted here on our Youtube channel hwivid and more will soon be added to this website so watch this space!

Advance details are posted on the ITV website - also the RVP website and The Lowry website

You can comment below, or discuss this story here in the HWI forum.