In Sir Ian McKellen’s one-man show (available on the National Theatre Live
app) he laments once having a ticket to go and see Judy Garland, and then
not going as ‘he couldn’t be bothered’. In 1994 I had a ticket to see an
unknown band called Oasis, at Cardiff University Great Hall, but didn’t go,
as the £5 I had would go further on beer in an off licence at the
Student Union bar. Sir Ian’s plea was that if you get the chance to go and
see someone you might love, do it as, you might never again.
In selecting authors to appear this summer, we are very lucky to have many
people who have been privileged to be an insider at world events, or met
people who have literally changed our lives, or brought us joy. If I take
just three examples: Melvyn Hayes must be one of the last living actors to
have been a central character in a Jimmy Perry and David Croft Comedy (It
Ain’t Half Hot Mum). For many Croft and Perry, with hits like, Hi-De-Hi and
Dad’s Army, were the greatest sit-com writing duo of the 20th century.
Watching these back today, you’ll still marvel at both the fantastic
writing, but also the real craft in the acting and timing of Hayes and
others.
There are also definitely few people left alive who actually sat in on
recordings of Beatles records and had such close proximity to inarguably the
greatest band of the last century. No-one but Hunter Davies, has ever been
given permission to write a book by Brian Epstein or any of the Beatles. Not
only on 15th August, will be able to hear from and ask questions of Hunter
Davies, but he is also going to show a film made in 1968 of him on holiday
with Paul MCartney, at the height of the groups fame, which has never been
seen before.
Perhaps even topping this, in terms of historical events, though, would be
Lady Anne Glenconner, who not only spent over thirty years as Princess
Margaret’s Lady in Waiting, through all those world events, but was also
chosen to be a Maid of Honour at Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation. She will
tell us about what it was really like on the day itself, from a totally
privileged position, in both senses of the word. I have already had the
opportunity to read her latest book ‘Manners & Mischief’ and it’s an
absolute hoot, like the lady herself.
I could go on, of course…imagine who Biggins has met, over the years; or
what Paul Burrell might reveal to us? I think though, what I want to say is
if you are 50/50 about coming to meet and get a book signed by anyone on the
line-up, ask yourself if in ten years you’d regret not having done so.
