By SANDRO MONETTI
Rule Britannia and God Save the Queen…BritWeek is back!
The city-wide celebration of creative links between Britain and America got underway with a pair of patriotic events on stage and screen.
First, the poetry, passion and language of William Shakespeare were celebrated in A Shakespeare Jubilee at the sold-out Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills.
Hosts Ioan Gruffudd and Joely Fisher were joined by other familiar faces from the worlds of film and TV performing classic scenes and monologues from our greatest-ever playwright.
Among the highlights: Harry Hamlin’s Hamlet was like a brooding rock star, Joan van Ark delivered a complex Cleopatra and as for the Midsummer Night’s Dream scene, if you’ll forgive me, Nigel Lythgoe’s Bottom was magnificent.
Then, from classic British entertainment to up to the moment UK creativity…The latest films by up and coming moviemakers back home were showcased at a New Filmmakers LA festival of best of Blighty cinema in downtown LA.
It was my honour to introduce that Britweek event, backed by Brits in LA and Screen International, where highlights included Hooves of Clay, the directorial debut of actor Blake Harrison, best known for the funniest sitcom of the last 10 years, The Inbetweeners.
He and the rest of the moviemakers were treated to a welcome reception hosted by British Consul General Michael Howells at his elegant Hancock Park home. I scored an invite to that one too and meeting these rising stars of the entertainment industry it was clear that the conveyer belt of British movie making talent shows no signs of stopping.
Britweek is only with us once a year or so but Brits in LA pub quiz, hosted by yours truly, continues every Tuesday at the Cat and Fiddle. It’s lovely to see all the friendships and laughter that continue to come out of this trivial enterprise. Do join the fun any Tuesday – there’s cash and/or prizes for the first, second and third placed teams and a garden gnome for last place. Everyone’s a winner.
Another well-established treat are the monthly tours I have been giving of Los Angeles movie locations. If you want to see your city in a different way, and hear the real stories behind the making of the major movies shot here, book now at www.tourificescapes.com.
Thanks to Craig and Eileen for letting me step in for them this week to write the column and thank you for reading it.
BritWeek celebrates what we all believe in – the special relationship between Britain and America. The ultimate link between our two nations comes on May 19 when Prince Harry weds American actress Meghan Markle. The Cat and Fiddle is staying open all night on May 18 for a special viewing party, screening the ceremony in the early hours and serving up celebratory drinks like the Markle Sparkle. To get your tickets, click HERE
From William Shakespeare to Meghan Markle, Britain and America continue to rejoice in each other’s cultures and personalities and that’s something well worth celebrating – in BritWeek and in every week.
Guest columnist Sandro Monetti is a TV pundit (seen regularly on CNN, BBC and Bravo), journalist and screenwriter.
