Notebook: Anything for a bit of a do

Charles Nevin
Saturday 28 August 1993 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

LEICESTER Square, the Empire, outside in the crowd, waiting. 'What is it?' 'Much Ado About Nothing.' 'Oh, yeah.' Guests start arriving for the premiere, on foot and by limo. 'Who is it?' 'I can see him, but I don't know who he is.' Stephen Fry arrives, a walking sketch of seemly embarrassment at the hoots and recognition of the crowd. He stops for the cameras and television interview. 'There's Stephen Fry being really clever,' says somebody, amiably.

Sir John Mills arrives, and Lord Attenborough. More hooting. Blondes stepping out of limos, flicking manes and smiling with misplaced confidence. 'Who's that slag?' says somebody, amiably. Sir Peter Hall does not trouble the punters.

Ken and Emma arrive. Great cheering. No hooting here, no jokey reception. Ken and Emma have Respect. Emma sweeps over to someone in the crowd. Ken underplays the embarrassment at the attention rather more than Fry, but if it isn't genuine he's a very good actor. The tugging at the right earlobe is particularly effective. Inside, he tells his guests how much the cast, English actors and American superstars such as Denzel Washington and Keanu Reeves had enjoyed making the film in Tuscany and drinking wine.

The Branagh Much Ado is a well- judged piece of transatlantic film- making, with nods to both the Western and Monty Python (Branagh's Benedick owes a lot to early Cleese), which makes itself punter-friendly by carefully and slightly sending itself up.

Afterwards, through more crowds, at Planet Hollywood they are serving champagne and burgers lanced with cocktail sticks. In a glass case on the wall are the knee and suction pads worn by Sean Connery in You Only Live Twice. In a corner is Richard Briers, who plays Leonato. He is an admirer of the American movie stars, who treated it all very seriously. 'They know how to stand still. We were dancing around a lot. If you catch me overacting, you'll know Denzel is near.'

Lord Attenborough was saying, 'Wonderful, wonderful'. Ken was circulating. Andrew Neil was down to his braces. The crowd was still outside. Richard Briers said it was time he was getting home. Planet Hollywood? 'Lovely, but a bit of a muddle,' he said. 'But then things are these days, aren't they?' Or, as Benedick/Branagh had put it, 'For Man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion.'

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in