The Jewish Chronicle
The night I sang Abba songs with Theresa May
In his 'Window on the World' column, Jonathan Shalit recalls a memorable visit to Chequers
October 11, 2020 16:50
By, Jonathan Shalit
3 min read
In his 'Window on the World' column, Jonathan Shalit recalls a memorable visit to Chequers
October 11, 2020 16:50ByJonathan Shalit, Jonathan Shalit
It’s Succot, and although I cannot claim to be a particularly religious man a moment of celebration seems a genuine relief after so much has been obliterated by Covid-19. And we’ve had triple family celebrations for the Shalit clan.
My father David Shalit MBE celebrated his 90th birthday for which we had a delightful, family lunch in the private room at the River Café. We were joined by my recently engaged and newly qualified nephew Dr Zack Millar accompanied by his beautiful fiancée Katy Fischbacher. Then my parents celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with the Queen sending her traditional message of congratulations.
In my talent management business I have represented many special people; it is no surprise two have been honoured in the latest Queen’s birthday honours list. As this newspaper is printed 24 hours before the announcement, I can’t name them yet.
Every honours list for me brings back a special personal memory. In the 2014 Queen’s birthday honours list I was awarded an OBE for services to the entertainment industry and charity. It was one of the greatest days of my life because of the happiness it gave to my truly wonderful parents, Sophie and David. They have spent their lives giving to charities and arts organisations, and supporting others.
We were back to the River Café, an absolute favourite restaurant, for dinner with our former prime minister Theresa May for an early celebration of her birthday.
Theresa and her husband are truly two of the most delightful people you could ever spend time with. In recent weeks many have started to wonder if the country would not be better guided under her leadership. During her term in office, Theresa and Philip kindly invited us to Chequers where we memorably sang Abba songs around the piano after dinner.
Two weeks ago I lunched with London’s best literary agent the fabulously well connected ‘Lady’ Caroline Michel whose client list is in itself worth a celebration. I asked Caroline to name some of the most recent famous books she had published. She responded: “Love every book I agent … just published Rose Tremain’s triumph of a novel Islands of Mercy and Ruby Wax’s inspirational And Now For The Good News. Knowing her close friendship with the River Café’s doyen Ruth Rogers I then asked her favourite River Café dish. Caroline texted back: “The wafer thin ravioli, the seasonal risotto, artichoke at the moment and the irresistible pear and almond tart.”
Joining us was Caroline’s close friend Sir Martin Sorrell the advertising mogul who possesses one of the world’s greatest business brains as well as a razor sharp humour. As economies flounder, Martin’s exciting new fledgling business S4 Capital is posting a growing profit. At 75, he is building his third empire
Among my other favourite restaurants is The Wolseley which I saw doing a roaring lunchtime trade last week. Unlike the gloom of other hospitality venues, it feels as if lockdown never happened there. Tables thronged with celebrities, such as Keira Knightley, Nigel Havers and Sandra Oh from Killing Eve.
Its owners Jeremy King and Chris Corbin together have created some of London’s most iconic restaurants. Back in the 90s, getting a regular table at their iconic Ivy was akin to winning a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket. My golden moment came when I took Beatles producer Sir George Martin to lunch with the ambition of persuading him to work for me, which he subsequently did. I know that part of the reason he was impressed and intrigued by this “new kid on the block” was how those serving us treated me like royalty, something Jeremy and Chris’s restaurants does with élan for its diners.
It was at the Ivy ten years ago on Mother’s Day that I got down on one knee in front of my now step daughters Sofia and Jessica and their mother and asked “Katrina, will you please marry me?” Cher and Boris Johnson have been among my guests there and Ricky Gervais privately knows he was responsible for one of the most memorable nights of my life.
This week I will end by mentioning Variety, the children’s charity of which I have been a trustee for 15 years. Even in these difficult times when charity donations have collapsed, we are continuing to try and help as many disabled and disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK as we can. Our brilliant new Chief Barker Dilly Kitchlew-Williamson is leading us through what can only be described as hideous times.
Recently comedian Keith Lemon launched our ‘I Love Variety Mask Campaign’ to help raise funds. Please go to www.variety.org.uk and support us by buying one. Every penny counts.
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE is chairman of The InterTalent Rights Group