It seems Mickey Mouse degrees aren’t all bad. After railing against university courses that are “a waste of time and money” on Monday, Rishi Sunak opened up No 10 to actors and other theatre alumni last night.
They were toasting the 60th anniversary of the National Theatre. “Our creative industries are a true British success story,” Downing Street said. Guests included actors Tamsin Greig, who took a degree in theatre arts from Birmingham University, and Lesley Manville, who studied at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. Sunak — who previously has pushed STEM subjects — looked in a cheerful mood as he enjoyed a reading directed by NT chief Rufus Norris (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts).
Around the corner at the Treasury, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt threw drinks for journalists. There have been cruel rumours Sunak might replace him with someone with more oomph.
Nostalgic Nineties hit capital
The Nineties were back in town last night as Kate Moss and Blur did rather different events in the capital.
Moss was in Marble Arch, wearing her new hat as a creative director for Diet Coke. The previously hard-living model, who now has a wellness brand, introduced an advert that she had a hand in, then hit the dance floor. There too were famous pals including presenter Miquita Oliver and actor Layton Williams, who told us he likes a Coke when he’s feeling “floaty at the end of a rehearsal period”.
At the BBC, reformed Britpop stars Blur did a rowdy gig live on Radio 2. Singer Damon Albarn threw water on the front rows and got into the crowd, marvelling at their enthusiasm. “I’m not entirely sure I’m not in a white room” he joked. Actor Phil Daniels joined in for Parklife. Footage of the gig (including a spry mid-tune backwards roll from 54-year-old guitarist Graham Coxon) will go on the iPlayer from next Saturday, and it is on BBC Sounds already.
Many are keen on bringing back the Nineties at the moment. In Westminster, Sir Keir Starmer had an on-stage chat with ex-PM Tony Blair. But Blair warned Sir Keir: “1997 is very different from 2023,” saying the economy is more “grim” now. Cheery.
Elsewhere, Tigerlily Taylor, Ella Eyre and Betty Bachz were at a dinner in celebration of Claws, a new nail line by Taylor in collaboration with E-riot at Amazonico in Berkeley Square.
