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If I had to choose something that I simply HAD to do before I’m (ahem) 40, then spending an evening up close and personal with some of Britain’s best-loved and acclaimed actors would definitely make the list.  So, you can imagine my utter delight to receive an invitation to just that at the Almeida Theatre, London, on an extraordinarily cold Sunday evening, courtesy of sponsor Courvoisier.  Entitled An Evening With the Stars and a fundraising event in support of the magnificent charity Friendship Works, the evening was hosted by the inimitable, charming Tim Pigott-Smith, the charity’s patron, and supported by cultural zeitgeist magazine Open, edited by Loma-Ann Marks (CVTF500 member).

As I arrived at the intimate Almeida theatre I could feel the excited anticipation of the theatre-goers, helped along their way with a glass or two of tasty Courvoisier-infused punch . At 7pm sharp, we took our places in the auditorium and for the next two hours were taken on the most magical journey as A-lister after A-lister entertained us with the passages, poems and music that had inspired them as children.  My own personal highlights were Sir Ian McKellan’s reading from his favourite childhood book (just to see the man in the flesh would have been enough for me, but that voice ….), Richard Stilgoe’s incorrigibly comic turn on the piano including a song made up on the spot from lyrics tossed at him by the audience and Dame Eileen Atkin’s wonderful rendition of Just William and the Just So stories. Dan Stevens, Kate Fahy, Helena Kennedy QC, Pamela Miles, Bill Paterson and Kevin Spacey were pretty damn fine too.  After the theatre performance, we were whisked off to a delicious gala dinner at the nearby Almeida restaurant where Jon Snow led the charge with a brilliant charity auction.  Each and every one of the actors involved takes an active role in Friendship Works and through their touching performances inspired many in the audience to do the same.  I would urge you to take a look too!