REVIEW: BBC PROMS - RELAXED PROM @ ROYAL ALBERT HALL

🎭 BBC Proms: Relaxed Prom

📍 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AP

🗓 Sunday 9th August 2026

⭐️ 4 Stars

A TRANSATLANTIC TRIUMPH

There is nothing quite like London on a summer Sunday morning. Stepping out into the morning air and making my way towards the glorious, terracotta expanse of the Royal Albert Hall felt special. I’ve been lucky enough to catch the brilliant Fantasia Orchestra in more intimate settings before, but this was a massive milestone for me. Believe it or not, this was my very first time experiencing the BBC Proms in the flesh.

Taking my seat down in the stalls, I could instantly feel a wave of excited anticipation buzzing through the air. But this wasn't your typical, hushed classical concert. Because this was an official Relaxed Performance, the auditorium was beautifully alive. It was packed out with families, tiny toddlers, and so many individuals who might usually feel unable to attend a standard, rigid classical concert.

For those who don’t know, a relaxed performance is an absolute game-changer for arts accessibility. The usual strict theatre etiquette is completely thrown out the window. If you need to move around, make noise, or leave the room and come back, you can. It creates a judgment-free zone that opens up incredible music to absolutely everyone, which is exactly what live art should be about.

Musically, the pairing of the Fantasia Orchestra and the BBC Singers was pure glory. Conducted by the effortlessly talented Tom Fetherstonhaugh, the sound they produced together was immense, reverberating around that iconic dome in waves of gorgeous texture. The whole morning was wonderfully hosted by YolanDa Brown, who guided us through a brilliantly eclectic programme of transatlantic arrangements, aimed at bridging the gap between the classical and modern worlds.

But the unexpected highlight of the entire concert? A piece called Panda Chant II by Meredith Monk. It was an absolute revelation. It uses zero musical instruments - just the raw, rhythmic power of the human voice and body. The musicians and singers joined forces as they turned themselves into a theatrical, vocal powerhouse, chanting and moving in a hypnotic, primal ritual. It was utterly thrilling and received a massive, rapturous response from the crowd.

They brought things to a spectacular, high-energy close with a swinging rendition of Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), leaving everyone on a massive high.

If I have one minor niggle, it’s that the overall volume felt quite low. I completely understand that keeping decibels in check is part of the relaxed format to prevent sensory overload, but I’ve been to a fair few relaxed shows before and never noticed it being quite this muted. When it came to the spoken introductions between pieces, I really struggled to catch what was being said from my seat.

That small critique aside, it was a beautiful, heartwarming morning of accessible music-making. The great news is that if you missed this magical pairing, Tom Fetherstonhaugh, the Fantasia Orchestra, and the BBC Singers are all joining forces yet again this coming Tuesday evening, where they will be joined by Grammy Award-winning percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie.

To check out details of this, and all of the BBC Proms concerts, CLICK HERE.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair, and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of BBC Proms: Relaxed Prom was gifted by ANR PR and the BBC who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

COMPANY:

Featuring:    Fantasia Orchestra

Conductor:    Tom Fetherstonhaugh

Vocals:    BBC Singers

Presenter:    YolanDa Brown

BSL Interpreter:    Sean Chandler

Audio Describer:  Timma Fibert

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour, with no interval

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