The late Christopher Joll had an impressive track record in scripting and directing fundraising events, starting with running the Events Committee of the late Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee Appeal in 1977.
2019
In 2019, Joll wrote, narrated and directed five short films for the Museum Prize Trust in association with Arts Council England, the Association for Cultural Enterprises and Google Arts and Culture.
Thinking Outside the Box: Black Country Living Museum
Collectively titled, ‘Thinking Outside The Box’, the films profile successful commercial initiatives taken by the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford; the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, West Midlands; the SS Great Britain, Bristol; Sir John Soane’s Museum, London; and the Horniman Museum & Gardens, London. The films can be viewed on YouTube.
2018
Joll worked with acclaimed contemporary composer Patrick Hawes and Classic FM to deliver The Great War Symphony, a four-movement choral symphony to mark the end of the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
The work was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall on 9 October 2018 by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a massed choir of singers, including the Invictus Games Choir and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, the State Trumpeters and Band of the Household Cavalry, the Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force, and the Corps Drums and Bugles of the Royal Marines. The event was in aid of SSAFA, the armed forces charity supporting military families.
2016
Shakespeare 400 Gala Concert
Joll researched and wrote the script, and designed and wrote the commemorative programme for the Shakespeare 400 gala concert at the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon on 19 April 2016, which starred Joseph Calleja (tenor) and Angel Blue (soprano).
The Patron's Lunch
For Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday celebration on 12 June 2016, Joll advised on the live entertainment for The Patron's Lunch on The Mall, which was broadcast by the BBC. He also wrote and produced the souvenir programme.
2015
Gurkha 200 Pageant
Joll directed, co-wrote the script and provided the production and stage management for the Gurkha Pageant, which was held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 9 June 2015 to mark 200 years of Gurkha service to the Crown. He also edited and co-wrote the accompanying commemorative booklet. The event was performed in the presence of HM The Queen, TRH The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, Prince Henry of Wales and HM The Sultan of Brunei.
Waterloo 200
For the national service of commemoration of the Battle of Waterloo at St Paul’s Cathedral on 19 June 2015, Joll advised on the form of the service, designed the associated ceremonial and wrote the accompanying commemorative booklet. The service was held in the presence of TRH The Prince of Wales, The Earl of Wessex and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
2013
2014
Beating Retreat by the Household Division
In 2013, Joll was invited by the Major General Commanding the Household Division to reformat this annual show, which was in severe commercial decline. This has resulted in sell-out audiences in every successive year.
War Horse Ride
Joll co-created the War Horse Ride, a re-creation of the Great Retreat by the British and French cavalry in August-September 1914. The event was held in collaboration with the French Army in aid of The Not Forgotten Association. HRH The Princess Royal was the royal patron; other patrons included Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse, Lord Astor of Hever and the Viscount Allenby.
2010-2013
British Military Tournament
In 2009, Joll was commissioned by ABF The Soldiers’ Charity to devise, write and direct an updated version of the Royal Tournament to be held annually at Earls Court from 2010 in aid of armed services charities and under the patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales and, in 2013, HRH The Princess Royal. The events were attended by every senior member of the Royal Family including The Queen and featured Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Timothy Spall, Martin Shaw, Dame Penelope Keith, Robert Hardy, Anthony Andrews, Rory Bremner, Dan Snow, Carol Vorderman, Andy McNab – and 'Joey' from War Horse.
2008-2012
Parade in the Park
Joll devised and directed this military tattoo, which was held in Hyde Park over the Diamond Jubilee weekend in 2012 as part of the Sainsbury’s sponsored Jubilee Family Festival.
Royal Hospital Centenary Pageant
Joll devised and produced all aspects of this major fundraising historical pageant at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in June 2008 in aid of the Chelsea Pensioners Appeal. The event was held in the presence of HRH Princess Alexandra.
2006-2007
Household Cavalry Pageant
Joll devised and produced all aspects of this historical and ceremonial pageant which took place on 12 June 2007 on Horse Guards Parade in aid of the Household Cavalry Museum Trust. The event was held in the presence of HM The Queen to mark the opening of the new Household Cavalry Museum.
Household Cavalry Christmas Carol Concert
Joll devised and produced this innovative carol concert which was held at The Guards Chapel in 2006 in aid of the Household Cavalry Museum Trust. It was performed in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal and featured Rory Bremner.
1970s
Royal Cartoons Exhibition
In 1977, Joll conceived this free exhibition – the largest collection of newspaper cartoons of the Royal Family ever staged – at the Press Club. The exhibition was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales and had two substantial fundraising spin-offs.
Royal Gifts Exhibition
Also in 1977, Joll conceived this exhibition – a display of the gifts received by HM The Queen during the Silver Jubilee year. HM The Queen opened the exhibition at St James’s Palace and it attracted high numbers of visitors, contributing significantly to the Silver Jubilee Appeal.
1990s
Concert for a Prince
Joll co-produced a royal gala concert at Windsor Castle in 1998 (the first such event to be staged there following the post-fire restoration). The event, which starred Nellie Miriciou, British Youth Opera and the Purcell School, was held in aid of those two organisations and in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales.
Serenade for a Princess
In 1992, Joll co-produced with Alan Sievewright a royal gala concert starring Montserrat Caballé. It was staged at the Banqueting House, Whitehall in the presence of HRH The Princess of Wales and in aid of British Youth Opera.
José Carreras and Friends
This royal gala concert in 1991, co-produced with Alan Sievewright, was held in the presence of TRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in aid of the José Carreras Leukaemia Foundation. Performers included José Carreras, Agnes Baltsa, Ruggiero Raimondi and Katia Ricciarelli.