By SAM HALSTEAD
THIS year’s Edinburgh Military Tattoo has sold out in record time, it was announced today.
More than 211,000 tickets have been snapped up since the Tattoo office opened in January, with the sold-out sign going up today – five weeks ahead of last year’s record.
Around £3.7 million has been raked in from box office sales for the spectacular three-week event, which attracts thousands of visitors to the Edinburgh Castle esplanade every August.
Ticket requests are believed to have come from across the globe for the 55th Tattoo, including North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Brigadier Melville Jameson, Tattoo chief executive and producer, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that we have now sold out for the sixth successive season, but to do so five weeks ahead of last year’s record-breaking achievement is a truly fantastic feat.”
Some resale tickets may be available for performances until the end of the 2004 run, he added.
A limited number of half-price tickets are to go on sale late next month for a preview performance of the Tattoo on August 5.
Brigadier Jameson said: “My heartfelt gratitude goes to my small Tattoo team who have made this possible. But my thanks must also go to our sponsor partners who have once again helped the Tattoo to flourish.
“We are in particular most grateful to our main sponsors, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Dewar’s World of Whisky, Ford UK, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Highland Spring and Caledonian Brewery.”
Council leader Donald Anderson also welcomed the strong level of interest in the event, which begins on August 6.
He said: ”
It [the Tattoo] is a world-class icon and it is a joy to see how popular it has become.”
Councillor Steve Cardownie, the city’s festival and events champion, said: “It is not surprising given the fantastic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. The Tattoo is a high draw-card and along with the other festivals, provides a huge boost to the local economy.”
The RAF’s Massed Bands and renowned silent drill display team, The Queen’s Colour Squadron, will be among the largest cast ever established for the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
The showcase, which will include around 1000 musicians and performers from around the world, will feature favourites such as Dam Busters and Aces High from the RAF.
Among the other performers will be an Indian cultural group from Mizoram in north-east India and the South African Navy Band from Cape Town, which plays musical instruments including water buffalo horns.
A massed Highland dancing display featuring 50 young dancers from across Australia, who will join the Tattoo’s own Highland Dancers, is also expected to be a highlight.
Earlier this month, protesters vowed to disrupt Tattoo performances in protest at the appearance of a Chinese military band.
Campaigners are threatening to mingle with the sell-out crowds at Edinburgh Castle in order to stage a series of stunts in protest at the involvement of the People’s Liberation Army.
The activists support the campaign to free Tibet from Chinese rule and claim the army is a “symbol of brutality”.
The demonstrations are planned to mark the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
