MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Royal Navy plays to 10.000 in Trafalgar Square

The grand finale of the Royal Navy's Trafalgar 200 events programme will be staged in the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Michael of Kent to an audience of 10,000 in the unique and special setting of Trafalgar Square on 23 October from 6.30pm.

The action packed - 'The Spirit of Nelson' uses the entire Square as its stage with a 'sail' screen towering over the North Terrace. The cast for this exciting celebration of Britain's Maritime Heritage which emphasises the importance of the sea to us all has a strong youth theme. It involves 300 children including members of the 1st Park Gate Sea Scouts, Southampton, the Sea Cadets and pupils from Newcastle Royal Grammar school where Nelson's 'dear friend' and second in command at Trafalgar, Admiral Lord Collingwood, was a pupil. 'Young Nelson' is cast from Bird College in Sidcup, Kent.

The theatrical action captures the historic context of the Battle of Trafalgar, celebrates 200 years of British maritime endeavour and looks forward to an exciting naval future. It will combine dramatic lighting, projection and daring physical performance including Royal Marine Commandos fast roping down the face of the National Gallery and an acrobatic troupe of 'free-runners'. The dramatic soundtrack includes a powerful narration, the Royal Marines Band Beat Retreat and music specially written for the Trafalgar Bicentennial year by Julian Scott, whose credits include the Athens Olympics.

The spectacular finale to this 90 minute show features state of the art 'space cannon' lights positioned around the base of Nelson's column creating vivid multicoloured light beam arrays in the night sky over the head of Nelson's iconic statue.

Highlights of the show and of the Royal Navy's summer events including the International Fleet Review will be broadcast on BBC2 on Sunday evening: check TV schedules for exact times. (RN).