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Tomorrow, the first show is finally there! For 22 editions, Fred Int Panis (from Pretext) is the one that guides the media with the reports about NOTP. So he had a big part in the success story of NOTP. That is reason enough to ask him our final questions.

Dear Fred, we suppose that there is a lot of interest in the 25th edition of NOTP in Antwerp, surely with adding Roxette to the program. Is that true? Is there a lot of international demand? Fred: “There is a big interest for every year, definitely form all the Dutch media. This year I also noticed the interest from Sweden and Italy. This could be due to Roxette. Of course, we also have general interest from the Netherlands and Germany, because NOTP is visiting there. That interest is managed together with our Dutch and German colleagues.”

Technically speaking, will it be a special show? Fred: “Regarding images, there’s a lot of use from a LED-screen, like the one from two years ago. That screen is 38 meters wide and 12 meters high. Besides that there are more screens and flat screens in different sizes. The catwalks are in a T-shape this year and go q8 meters into the central square, where they end up in an extra stage of 4 by 4 meters. From that stage, catwalks depart to the left and right for 8 meters. In the main stage are 2 elevators. The main stage and elevators are own property of PSE-Belgium. The pink curtain hanging in front of the stage is 38 meters wide and 15 meters high. It moves by an electric system of rails.”

Are there still many tickets for sale or everything sold out? Fred: “NOTP registers a very successful sale this year, more compared to last year. We at a 13th show (11/11). Specially for that show, there are still some tickets available.”

This year, the organization is working together with the fund of Free Time Participation (in Dutch ‘Fonds Vrijetijdsparticipatie’) which enables the less fortune to visit the Proms shows. Does this initiative know any success? Fred: “That way, we’ve sold 188 tickets; so it’s not yet a big success.”

What does the show mean for Antwerp? Fred: “Night of the Proms 2009 stands for around 700 overnight stays in 3 hotels. Our support to the local catering industry, not including the restaurant bacchanals lead by Carl Huybrechts. In Antwerp, 4520 sandwiches are made for the choir, orchestra and extra’s, including the general rehearsals. Beers are not foreseen.”

You’re there from the third edition: congratulations for that! Which artist do you remember the most? Fred: “I’m there since the third edition. I remember mostly big artist like: Simple Minds, Donna Summer, Toto (their first time), Zucchero, Bocelli (of course)…”

The tickets delivered by Tele Ticket Service are specially printed since a few year and have a barcode to prevent forgeries and a black market. Are there still a lot major issues? Fred: “We’re amongst the pioneers in that battle. And it’s working nicely. Yet, there always be abuses to our system. Technologically, we’re very strong. But on the other side of the wall, there are some internet wizards of course. It’s a matter of being one step ahead of them and to react pro-actively.”

Give us some more numbers, Fred! Fred: “Night of the Proms is celebrating its 25th edition in Antwerp, its 19th in the Netherlands, 16th in Germany (although it changes per city). The Netherlands = 2 locations, Germany = 12 cities. In the German Munich, the 40th Night of tie Proms will be held, and during that show the 400.000th guest from Munich will be welcomed. By the last show in Germany, we will have the line crossed of 8 million visitors, throughout all locations and all years.”

“Something else: I’ve always been proud to been a part of the big NOTP-club and to be able to contribute even a small part to the GREAT, UNBELGIAN STORY.”

Well Fred, we thank you for that!


A review of the rehearsals and interviews: YouTube

An interview with Per of Roxette in ‘De Rode Loper’ (Belgian show): Een.be

A movie about Classic meeting hiphop on YouTube

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