Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back to be screened with live orchestra in UK first

The force is set to be with the Royal Albert Hall later this year, when it screens Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with a live orchestra for the first time ever in the UK.

The Philharmonia Orchestra will play John Williams’s iconic score live on stage to accompany Episode V, which is frequently hailed as the best film in the series.

Five screenings will run in London between September 21–23, with tickets priced between £37 and £87. The production is then set to go on a UK tour, with dates yet to be announced.

The orchestral screenings of The Empire Strikes Back follow on from the UK premiere of Star Wars: A New Hope in concert at the Hall last year.

“We’re ecstatic that Star Wars is coming back this year, with the most critically-acclaimed and musically groundbreaking movie in the series,” said Lucy Noble, artistic director at the Royal Albert Hall.

The 1980 classic sees Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) come under attack from Imperial Forces, and get captured by Darth Vader. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) journeys to the Dagobah system to train with Jedi Master Yoda, before heading off to rescue his friends. His subsequent battle with Vader culminates in one of the most iconic lines in film history.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday February 22, with a a pre-sale available on Wednesday February 20 for Royal Albert Hall Friends and Patrons.

For more information, visit royalalberthall.com