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MI6 reports from "The Story of James Bond -
A Tribute to Ian Fleming" event that took place
on Sunday 5th October...
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A Tribute To Ian Fleming
10th October 2008
"The Story of James
Bond - A Tribute to Ian Fleming" took place at the
London Palladium last weekend, on Sunday 5th October and
proved to be the highlight and grand finale to the successful Fleming
centenary year. Stars and celebrities joined together
in a celebration of the life and writing of Ian
Fleming and his legacy to the world - James Bond. The
event was in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
The evening kicked off with James Bond
actors Sir Roger Moore and Daniel Craig arriving to the
delight of paparazzi and fans gathered outside the theatre's
entrance. The curtain was raised at 7:30pm to the infamous
James Bond theme played by a 60-piece orchestra.
Lucy Fleming introduced the hosts of the
evening, Stephen Fry and former Bond girl Joanna Lumley,
who sat just in front of the orchestra. To the left of centre
stage Jeremy Irons read passages playing Fleming himself,
and to the right former Bond villain Toby Stephens played
007 reading extracts from the literary adventures. A large
screen displayed stills of Fleming, artwork, posters, and
scenes from the films. |
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Above: Cover of the event programme, signed by 'Devil May Care' author
Sebastian Faulks.
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Above: 007's Sir Roger
Moore and Daniel Craig (with Satsuki Mitchell) arrive
at the event.
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As well as the orchestra covering Bond music
and, songs were performed by Beverly Knight (Licence To Kill),
Tony
Hadley (Thunderball), Mica Paris, Lemar and Lee Mead. Cast members
from the West End production of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' also
performed. Title song artists Duran Duran (A View To A Kill)
and Sir Paul McCartney (Live And Let Die) sent video messages.
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Above (Left): The orchestra
start the evening with a recital of James Bond theme.
Above (Right): Beverly Knight performs the title song from "Licence
To Kill".
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There were readings from readings from Samantha
Bond, Christopher
Casenove, Joely Richardson, Harriet Walter, Gemma Arterton and
Rosamund
Pike. Sebastian Faulks, author of the continuation novel "Devil
May Care", read a passage from "Diamonds Are Forever". Young
Bond author Charlie Higson recounted the times before Bond hit
the big screen in 1962's "Dr No".
Above: Sir Roger Moore is flanked
by Bond girls. Left to right: Maryam D'Abo, Madeleine
Smith, Shirley Eaton, Zena Marshall, Eunice Gayson,
Tania Mallett, Caroline Munro and Joanna Lumley.
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Sir Roger Moore was joined on stage by eight
Bond girls: Maryam D'Abo, Madeleine Smith, Shirley Eaton, Zena
Marshall,
Eunice Gayson, Tania Mallett, Caroline Munro and Joanna Lumley.
A Sean Connery lookalike was quickly bundled off the stage by
a
Royale Marine Commando who abseiled from the
roof. Moore gave
a speech about Albert R. Broccoli and then introduced
the current producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Attendees were treated with a scene from the
new film "Quantum of Solace" before Daniel Craig came on stage
to rapturous applause
to read the eulogy from Fleming's funeral.
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Above: Hosts Stephen
Fry and Joanna Lumley (left), Lucy Fleming starts the
proceedings (right).
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Dom Perignon paid tribute to the iconic author
as the official and exclusive champagne partner of the private
After Show Party. A glittering host of stars attended the after
show party, including: Sir Roger Moore, Gemma Arterton, Rosamund
Pike, Jeremy Irons, Mica Paris, Samantha Bond, Stephen Fry, Joanna
Lumley, Lesley Manville, Toby Stephens, Jo Gibb, Laura Michelle
Kelly and Joely Richardson.
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Above: Jeremy Irons
reads as Ian Fleming (left), Laura Michelle Kelly (right).
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