On September 5, 2025, English actress Jane Seymour took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute to the late Freddie Mercury, marking what would have been the Queen frontman’s 79th birthday. Seymour, best known for her role as Solitaire in the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die, posted a rare black and white photo of herself and Mercury, capturing a moment that remains vivid in her memory decades later.
“Remembering the legendary Freddie Mercury today on his birthday,” Seymour wrote to her followers, accompanying the nostalgic image. In the photo, Seymour is resplendent in an extravagant white ballgown, while Mercury dons a military uniform with his trademark flair. The image is more than just a snapshot; it’s a time capsule from a night when music, fashion, and philanthropy collided.
The photo hails from the Fashion Aid benefit concert, held on November 5, 1985, at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. According to Parade, the event was organized by Irish singer Bob Geldof to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine, a crisis that had captured the world’s attention and inspired a wave of musical activism. The benefit drew an eclectic crowd of celebrities, including Anjelica Huston, George Michael, Madonna, Ringo Starr, Jerry Hall, Grace Jones, and Kate Bush, each lending their star power to a night meant to make a difference.
But for many, it was the playful spectacle between Seymour and Mercury that stole the show. The two staged a mock wedding ceremony on stage, complete with an impromptu kiss that no one—least of all Seymour—saw coming. Recalling the night in a BBC interview, Seymour described Mercury’s transformation from a quiet presence backstage to the exuberant performer fans adored. “He was very shy before we went out, then he suddenly became the mercurial Freddie Mercury,” she remembered. “To this day, as far as my children and a lot of people are concerned, it was the highest, most important moments of my career being Freddie Mercury’s bride.”
Describing the spontaneous kiss, Seymour recounted, “He’s doing his thing and I’m like the bride trying to catch up. Eventually I do catch up, then he just grabbed me and kissed me, which I was not expecting. But I was very happy to be kissed by Freddie Mercury.” The moment, immortalized in the photograph, remains a cherished memory for Seymour and fans alike, a testament to Mercury’s charisma and the joy he brought to those around him.
Mercury’s legacy, of course, extends far beyond a single night or a staged ceremony. As Parade notes, he continued to create music with Queen even after receiving his HIV diagnosis in 1987. Mercury’s final album released during his lifetime was Innuendo in February 1991, a record that showcased his enduring talent and spirit despite his declining health. He worked on Queen’s last studio album, Made in Heaven, which was completed by his bandmates Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon and released posthumously in 1995. Mercury passed away in November 1991 at the age of 45, succumbing to complications related to AIDS, but his influence on music and culture remains profound.
Seymour’s tribute, coming on the eve of a week packed with artistic celebration, seems especially fitting. The actress herself will be in the spotlight once more at the historic Newtown Theatre in Pennsylvania, where a special screening of the 1981 film Somewhere in Time—starring Seymour alongside Christopher Reeve—will take place on September 10, 2025, as part of the theatre’s Movie Club series. According to Patch, the screening will be introduced by Emmy Award winner and film historian Joe Amodei, who will guide a post-film discussion with audience participation, offering fans a chance to revisit Seymour’s cinematic legacy.
The Newtown Theatre, a cherished cultural landmark located at 120 N. State Street in Newtown Borough, is set to host a series of diverse events from September 10 to September 14, 2025. The festivities kick off with “The Greatest Hits of Broadway” concert on September 10 at 3 p.m., featuring four professional singers and a live band performing beloved songs from the Broadway stage. Later that evening, Seymour’s fans can gather for the Movie Club event, celebrating her work in Somewhere in Time.
The lineup continues with “Charlie Chaplin’s Silent Shorts” on September 11 at 7:30 p.m., where classic silent films will be accompanied by live music from the Not So Silent Cinema Orchestra, blending nostalgia with a fresh musical interpretation. On September 12, the theatre will celebrate the power of legendary women in music with “Iconic Women of Music with Rae Radick,” a high-energy tribute concert paying homage to stars like Dolly Parton, Cher, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, Shania Twain, and Janis Joplin. Richboro native Rae Radick headlines the show, bringing her own flair to timeless hits.
September 13 promises a blend of comedy and culinary delight with the “Sweet Justice” event. Beginning at 7 p.m., guests will enjoy a donut buffet featuring samples from 20 different Duck Donuts, a complimentary beverage, movie trivia, and themed prizes. The evening culminates in a screening of the classic comedy The Naked Gun at 8 p.m., ensuring laughter and treats in equal measure.
The week’s festivities conclude on September 14 at 3 p.m. with a family-friendly magic show by Krendl the Illusionist, a performer renowned for captivating audiences with his blend of illusion, creativity, and inspiration. With over 30 years of experience, Krendl’s show promises to enchant both children and adults, rounding out a week that celebrates the many faces of art and entertainment.
Tickets for all events are available through TheNewtownTheatre.com, with beer, wine, and canned cocktails on offer for those looking to make an evening of it. The theatre’s commitment to bringing a wide range of cultural experiences to the community is evident in its eclectic programming, from Broadway hits and film classics to tributes and live magic.
As Jane Seymour’s tribute to Freddie Mercury reminds us, the arts have a unique power to forge connections across generations, genres, and even continents. Whether through a photograph that captures the joy of a singular night in 1985 or a week of performances that span music, film, and illusion, these moments become part of our collective memory. They invite us to pause, reflect, and, as Seymour suggested, remember the songs—and the people—that make us stop and sing along every single time.
For those in Newtown and beyond, this September offers a chance to celebrate not just the enduring legacies of icons like Mercury and Seymour, but the ongoing vibrancy of the arts in our communities. With each event, the Newtown Theatre continues to honor the past while inspiring new memories, ensuring that the magic of performance endures.
