Charlotte Hawkins interview
Senior reporter Aimee Seddon chats to TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins who is hosting 'André Rieu 2024 Maastricht Concert', coming to Lancashire cinemas at the end of August.
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00:00One of the world's greatest classical artists, André Rieu, is bringing his epic annual Maastricht concert to cinemas across Lancashire from August 31st.
00:10In this video, I interview the host of the show, Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins.
00:16So can I start, Charlotte, by asking you how you're feeling to host the show again?
00:20I'm so excited to be hosting André's Maastricht concert once again.
00:24This is the 13th year that I've done it and it's such a privilege every year to be a part of it because, you know, André tours the world.
00:33He does concert after concert, but it's the one that he does in his hometown of Maastricht that is particularly special.
00:39And he does it in this open square, the Vrijthof, right in the heart of Maastricht,
00:44which is just crammed full of people that come from all around the world to see this amazing show.
00:49And with him and the Johan Strauss Orchestra and also some special guests,
00:53they always put on such an amazing musical spectacular that just has the audience on the edge of their seats.
01:01And that's why I'm so full of admiration for what he does.
01:04He breathes new life into classical music. It'll be pieces that people know and love, but he just does it in such a brilliant way.
01:12And it is truly amazing to see some beautiful bits of music.
01:16And for those people who can't make it there to Maastricht in person,
01:19then this is the next best thing, because you can just pop along to your local cinema.
01:23It's in hundreds of cinemas up and down the country, wherever you want to see it.
01:28And you can go and see it in all its glory on the big screen, get the best seat in the house, popcorn in hand.
01:34And just like the audience watching there in Maastricht, people sing, they sway, they clap, they, you know, enjoy the music, dance along if they want to.
01:44So it's got that real live music feel. And I think it's great for those people who can't get to Maastricht or if you can't get out to a concert,
01:51then to be able to pop along to your local cinema and get the next best thing is actually a great way to still be able to enjoy this kind of concert.
01:59Can you describe what it is you do?
02:02So for me, I'm a part of bringing that whole show to the cinemas.
02:06So I introduce the whole show. I do all the links in between.
02:10And then as soon as Andre steps off the stage at the end of the concerts and he's making his way through the crowds, they're all cheering him.
02:18I grab a quick word with him at the theatre steps. So we have an exclusive interview just for cinema audiences, which is really lovely.
02:24So it's like the first reaction to how the concert has gone.
02:27And it's always a special one because, you know, he's just done this amazing concert.
02:31So it's getting what he's thought of it, the reaction of the crowd at the same time, the buzz that's going on.
02:37It's great to be a part of it. And I'm just so thrilled to be back once again, you know, being involved with doing this year after year.
02:45I come out to do the summer concerts and also now the Christmas concerts as well and quite often the New Year concerts.
02:51So it's great to have that ongoing relationship with them. And, you know, I love classical music.
02:58It's an honour to be there, to be able to see it in person.
03:01And I think to bring it to people in such a special way is a great thing to do.
03:06And his concerts in cinemas are so popular, you know, he outsells people like Beyonce and Ed Sheeran.
03:12It's just great that actually people feel so inspired that they want to go along to see it.
03:17And for this year, he's got a special guest.
03:20I've got to tell you about 16 year old Emma Cock because she is a star of the Dutch version of The Voice Kids.
03:26And I was standing with her backstage before she was about to go on.
03:30And she's like tiny and she goes out and she's got this absolutely incredible voice that just blows everyone away.
03:37She is such a super talent and she is definitely one to watch out for.
03:42People reading this article, why should they get tickets to come see the show in the cinema this weekend?
03:48I think it's such a special thing to do when you're looking around, you're thinking, what am I going to do this weekend?
03:52And let's face it, we're never quite sure what the weather is going to be doing at the moment, are we?
03:56It's it could be a bit up and down. And I think it's one of those.
03:59Just take a few hours out, surround yourself with some musical joy, which I guarantee will put a spring in your step.
04:06I always find when, you know, if you've had one of those days and you're thinking, oh, my goodness,
04:11that actually classical music just has something really special to offer everybody.
04:16And the way that Andre brings it to life and, you know, the magic that he manages to spring over the show that he does is just so special.
04:25And the great thing is that, you know, you can just go to the cinema down the road.
04:29It's really easy to get to. You'll see him on the big screen with the best seats,
04:33a wonderful view of all the music and you'll hear it with that glorious surround sound.
04:38And, you know, you can waltz up and down the aisle if you want to.
04:41It's one of those things that is a real experience. And, you know, we can't all go and see live music concerts here, there and everywhere.
04:47But actually having that chance to to pop out and to be able to surround yourself with this, I think, you know, will put a smile on anyone's face.