The British Army and The Night’s Watch team up to launch GoT season 8
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Members of the public visiting the Tower of London were treated to a suprising spectacle as the British Army’s Coldstream Guards performed a rendition of the Game of Thrones theme tune as the ‘Night’s Watch’ from the global TV phenomenon performed a unique military display.
Emerging from the Bloody Tower at the Tower of London, the Night’s Watch marched to music from the Band of the Coldstream Guards and put on a dramatic sword performance. The military spectacle was orchestrated by Sky Atlantic to celebrate the launch of the hotly anticipated new and final season of Game of Thrones, starting at 2am and 9pm on 15th April.
Sky Atlantic partnered with the British Army to choreograph the spectacle, which took two months of precise military and musical planning. The crowds had been expecting a traditional Changing of Sentry Duty from the Coldstream Guards as they played ‘The Standard of St George March’ before suddenly switching into the Game of Thrones soundtrack.
The iconic Tower of London, which teems with almost a thousand years of history, provided the perfect historical backdrop for the stunt. Dressed in their traditional scarlet tunics and black fur busbys, the Army joined forces with the Night’s Watch in a unique partnership to bring the magic of Game of Thrones to life.
Speaking about the role of the Coldstream Guards in the stunt, Sergeant Major Richard Maddocks said: “We play all over the world at all sorts of concerts and events, but this was genuinely a career highlight for all of us seasoned Members of the Coldstream Guards Band. Given it’s a favourite TV programme of many of ours made it an extra special experience. The Night’s Watch delighted and stunned their audience and challenged us into looking our sharpest and playing our military best!”
Commenting on the show’s imminent return, Zai Bennett, Director of Programmes, Sky Entertainment UK and Ireland, said: “We have partnered with the British Army to give fans an unforgettable experience ahead of the launch of the eighth and final series of Game of Thrones. It has been a groundbreaking seven years and the Sky Atlantic team are as excited about what’s in store as the millions of fans and Sky Atlantic viewers who will be tuning into discover the outcome of the final battle between the living and the dead.”
Twelve actors were transformed into the Night’s Watch for the spectacle, by a team an expert team of stylists and make-up artists. Each actor wore a custom-made costume that took ten weeks to create.
The stunt has set the scene for the eagerly anticipated Game of Thrones finale. Sky Atlantic recorded their highest ever viewership, with 3.42 million people tuning into the last season finale live. The film was created by Taylor Herring and produced by the agency’s production arm St Marks Studios.
