Elton John and Michael Caine deliver hilarious audition in NHS vaccine PSA
You may not be anywhere near the office water cooler right now, but we still want to spotlight the most talked about creative from the brands that should be on your radar. Today, we’re looking at Elton John and Michael Caine’s public service announcement (PSA) for the NHS.
Right now, there is nothing more important than getting the UK vaccinated against the coronavirus. While the fact 10 million people in England have been vaccinated is a cause for celebration, sadly, vaccine misinformation continues to get in the way of progress.
And so Lord Ara Darzi, who leads the Imperial React Covid Surveillance Study Group, enlisted the help of two old friends, Sir Elton John and Sir Michael Caine, to help him get the message across that the jab is easy and safe.
Filmed in the style of a casting video, the NHS PSA sees the English singer auditioning for the part in an ad to promote the vaccine.
Too much showbiz, not enough showbiz... throughout the audition John’s ’acting’ fails to impress the director – even when he burst into song, declaring he’s ’still standing’ after receiving the jab.
Slightly deterred by the director’s response, he declares that it’s too short notice to find anyone better. Cue Caine, who delivers an excellent performance and secures the role.
“I am really pleased that Elton and Michael were keen to do this video, to show how quick and easy it is to get vaccinated and why it’s so important," says Lord Darzi. “They recognize that the vaccines approved by the medical regulator are safe and effective, and the more people who have them the sooner we will curb the pandemic and get the country – and the world – back to normal.
“I am very grateful to both of them for their generous participation and thanks also should be given to the brilliant writer Stephen Pipe and producer Clare Gibson who both generously gave their time to this.”