60th Edinburgh Military Tattoo Going Down Under

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is returning to Australia for performances at the Sydney Football stadium in February 2010.  The new production will be the biggest ever seen in the event's six decade history.

The return visit - which is exclusive to Sydney - is being produced by the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in association with the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust and supported by Events New South Wales. It follows the resounding success of The Edinburgh Military Tattoo - A Salute to Australia in 2005.

Organisers of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo went so far as to pronounce it "one of the very best Edinburgh Military Tattoos ever staged."

The Tattoo, with 1500 performers, returns to Sydney next year as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations. Titled "The Edinburgh Military Tattoo - Celebrating 60 Years of Valour, Mateship and Glory" the event will take as its central theme the close relationship between Australian and British Defence Forces who have fought alongside each other in numerous conflicts.

"The Edinburgh Military Tattoo attracts the world's best massed pipes and drums. Australians will see the biggest and best Tattoo ever staged, right here in Sydney" says Creative Director, Leo Schofield. "A centrepiece of the program will reflect the history and camaraderie between Australian and British Defence Forces."

The show, which will be staged against a million dollar replica of Edinburgh Castle, will be even bigger than last time with an extra "theatrical flourish", developed under the Tattoo's new Chief Executive and Producer, Major General Euan Loudon.

"In 60 years the world's most famous Tattoo has left Edinburgh only twice.  I can think of no better way of kicking off our diamond jubilee year in 2010 by returning to the city and country which opened their hearts to us so warmly when we visited Sydney last time-round," said Major General Loudon.

Events NSW estimate the Edinburgh Military Tattoo will bring in more than $15 million into the State. This result is achieved through the great alliance between the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust and Events NSW - both demonstrating their ability to present the very best in international entertainment for the whole family.

Performance dates and times will be announced later this year along with details of the bands and highland groups appearing. However, it is confirmed that the wildly popular Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel in Switzerland will be back with an even more dazzling routine.