Shows
The Rainer Hersch Orkestra
ORCHESTRAL COMEDY
9-15 Musicians + Rainer
From 10 mins to a full concert with interval
Rainer Hersch’s greatest musical adventure is as conductor of his own ensemble, The Rainer Hersch Orkestra (GB). From Rossini’s William Tell Overture to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 by way of James Bond and the Beatles, the Orkestra offers a totally unique combination of virtuoso musical comedy and wit. Together they have appeared all over the UK and Europe, including the Festival Hall London and Konzerthaus Berlin. Rainer’s many musical guests have included Alfred Brendel, Dame Evelyn Glennie and Nicola Benedetti. YouTube clips of the Rainer Hersch Orkestra have earned them millions of fans worldwide.
“The funniest concert you will ever see” (Time Out, London)
“Rainer Hersch: Deutsch klingt der Name, perfekt spricht er die Sprache, und doch ist der quirlige Quatschkopf Brite. Lustig, musikalisch, unterhaltsam, phänomenal.” (Frankenpost)
Engagements in German-speaking countries, contact Heike Malik event-ambulanz.de
A Very British Christmas
CHRISTMAS POP COMEDY6 Musicians (The British Allstars) + Rainer
From 10 mins to a full concert with interval
Clap your hands, stamp your feet and sing, sing along as Rainer presents a brilliant blend of stand-up comedy and classic pop hits. In the company of vocalist Graham Foote (Jersey Boys) and pianist Steven Baker (lead orchestrator Avatar) amongst a band of all-stars, Rainer leads the audience an unforgettable evening including Merry Xmas Everybody (Slade), Do They Know It’s Christmas? (Band Aid), All I Want for Christmas is You (Mariah Carey), Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen), Mull of Kintyre (Wings) and many more, all tied in a bow with Rainer’s inimitable take on weird and wonderful British Christmastime traditions.
Engagements in German-speaking countries, contact Heike Malik event-ambulanz.de
All Classical Music Explained (ACME)
SOLO SHOW
60 mins or extended 90 min show with interval
How to play the piano without practising, is the triangle hard? Why is organ music so boring? Since 1996 this brilliant stand-up comedy show with a difference has been entertaining audiences across the world. On stage is a microphone, a piano and a projector screen. Enter the friendly, interactive style of Rainer Hersch which immediately engages the audience in an hilarious journey from ‘Every Good Boy Deserves Football‘ to grand opera. Nobody really needs to know anything and, frankly, nobody really learns anything but they have a hell of a time on the way. Performed internationally at major festivals internationally this show is a sure fire success for any occasion.
“Roll over Beethoven, here’s Hersch” (Singapore Straits Times).
“A brilliant touch of comic madness” (Time Out, London)
Rainer Hersch’s Victor Borge
SOLO SHOW
In one act: 70 mins no interval
In two acts: 90 mins plus interval (requires guest pianist)
Victor Borge was a brilliant pianist, virtuoso comedian and, at one point, the highest paid entertainer in the world. In Rainer Hersch’s Victor Borge the Great Dane’s hilarious act has been lovingly re-imagined for the 21st century by his natural successor, Rainer Hersch. This intriguing production was a total sellout at the Assembly Rooms in the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festival under the title Borge Again! In a full two-act version, he is also joined by a pianist for an hilarious duet rendition of Liszt’s 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody. Performed at festivals, arts centres and theatres across Britain and internationally this is one of Rainer Hersch’s most popular productions.
“It’s hard to imagine that if the great Victor Borge himself had taken the stage, he would be more entertaining that Rainer Hersch’s tear-streamingly funny tribute” Scotsman
“Victor Borge for a new generation”s The Sunday Time
Rainer Hersch as Guest Conductor
Rainer conducts your orchestra or choir
ORCHESTRA SHOW
From 10 minutes to full 90 concert with interval
Rehearsals: Professional Orchestra: 1 or 2 rehearsals. Amateur Orchestra/Choir: As required
Programmes available for chamber orchestra, symphony orchestra and symphony orchestra with choir. These include holiday and themed programmes. Full details on request.
A trained and highly experienced conductor, Rainer has worked with musicians around the world, including amateur orchestras and choirs. He rehearses, conducts and presents the entire concert, also appearing as piano soloist. “Brilliant, fascinating and different. Not a superbly funny comedian, he is also a truly great musician” (Isabella Lippi, Concertmaster, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, IL, USA). Orchestras with whom Rainer has performed: Auckland Philharmonia (NZ), Basel Kammerorchester (CH), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (UK), Hannover Opera Orchestra (DE), Johann Strauss Orchestra (tours 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) (UK), Leicester Symphony Orchestra (amateur UK), Orquesta de Cámara de Nuevo León (MEX), Philharmonia Orchestra (UK), Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra (UK), St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (RU), Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (AUS), Tel Aviv Soloists (ISR), The Queensland Orchestra (AUS), Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (CAN) …and many more.