[title]
The Royal Albert Hall has announced the 2026 line-up for its ever-popular Films in Concert series.
The headline news is first ever orchestral screening of The Shawshank Redemption as Benjamin Pope conducts the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (RPCO) as it performs Thomas Newman’s Oscar-nominated score – with some help from a bluegrass fiddle soloist.
The new season kicks off with Lorne Balfe conducting his own score to Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl with the RPCO on Easter Monday, March 29.
The ensemble who first recorded the original Star Wars soundtracks, London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) will perform John Williams’ legendary scores to George Lucas’ OG trilogy, as Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi screen across the weekend of April 29-May 2.
According to the Royal Albert Hall, Whiplash is one of the most requested titles in Films in Concert’s history. Damien Chazelle’s musical drama will be finding its tempo on Friday May 14, with some help from composer Justin Hurwitz and the London Intercollegiate Jazz Orchestra. Greyson Nekrutman, current drummer for Sepultura, will be performing the movie’s famous solos.
‘We’re so excited to be announcing this selection of cinematic classics,’ says Matt Todd, director of programming at the Royal Albert Hall, ‘led by the first ever in-concert performance of The Shawshank Redemption – not just an unforgettable film with an immortal soundtrack, but one whose characters find escape through the beauty and power of orchestral music.’
‘We hope this programme of beautifully scored movies will do the same for audiences, whether they’re being moved to tears by Michael Giacchino’s Oscar-winning music for Up, being rocketed into space by John Williams’ Star Wars themes, or welcoming in the earworm to end them all, courtesy of Wallace & Gromit.’
Also on the slate are concert screenings of Up (June 1) and Disney’s original Moana (June 2), as well as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (October 8-10) and Titanic (October 16).
The full line-up:
- Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, May 29
- Star Wars Weekender, April 29-May 2
- Whiplash in Concert, May 14
- The Shawshank Redemption Live, May 15
- Up in Concert, June 1
- Moana in Concert, June 2
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert, October 8-10
- Titanic live, October 16
Tickets start at £30, with Star Wars and The Shawshank Redemption £45. Get busy booking from the official Royal Albert Hall website.