Star-studded gala for Prince of Wales
Clarence House has announced a “star-studded comedy gala to celebrate The Prince of Wales’s 60th birthday.”
I’m not sure how many parties that is now — at least three by my erratic counting.
The press release says it all:
“Comedy greats will help to celebrate The Prince of Wales’s 60th birthday this year with a special one-off comedy show in aid of His Royal Highness’s youth charity The Prince’s Trust.
“The show, called We Are Most Amused, will have a unique line-up with stars such as Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese and Robin Williams on stage together for one night only on Wednesday 12th November.
“The Prince of Wales, who is a keen fan of comedy, will attend the show with his wife The Duchess of Cornwall at the New Wimbledon Theatre.
“Their Royal Highnesses will be treated to a mix of live stand-up and comedy sketches from the world’s greatest comedians to raise money for, and awareness of, the work of The Prince’s Trust which helps to provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people in the UK.
“For the first time in over 25 years, stand-up comedy legend and Hollywood star Robin Williams will perform on a UK stage. Monty Python founder and comic genius John Cleese has promised something extra special in honour of The Prince’s birthday and after a long stint on the small and silver screens, British comedy great Rowan Atkinson will return to the live stage.
“The line-up will bring together the very best in comedy talent – from much-loved established names to fresh young acts from the stand-up circuit – a combination which will appeal to all ages and, above all, to comedy fan and guest of honour The Prince of Wales.
“With further acts to be announced, We Are Most Amused promises to be a night to remember and will be screened on ITV1 shortly after the live event.
“We Are Most Amused will take place on Wednesday 12th November 2008. Tickets will go on sale at 10.30am on Wednesday 1st October and prices range from £25 to £100. To purchase tickets either call 0870 060 6646, go online at www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk or visit the New Wimbledon Theatre Box Office in person.”
It sounds like great fun, if you like that sort of thing.
I wonder who else will attend with them? Hmmm….
And where I can watch it…this sounds much more my style than some of the charity events I’ve recently attended. Now if Robin Williams just does not insult the POW too much…that would be good
By Julie on October 2nd, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I think it would have been a wiser PR move to have had only the celebration benefitting the Prince’s Trust as this looks a bit excessive given the headlines these days. While people don’t expect Charles to sell Highgrove and move into a tent, three celebrations will be viewed as a bit too much, and I’m afraid CH can be assured of many critical articles in the coming days about PC being “out of touch.”
Even the gals down at the Tim Horton’s are leaving their Birkins at home, as everyone is reluctant to look vulgar these days.
By alsgal on October 2nd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Just wondering, but is anyone else curious as to why Gwen Ifill, the moderator of tonight’s US vice presidential debate was approved as a moderator despite having a pro-Obama book entitled “Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama” which will be published in January? Wouldn’t that normally constitute a conflict of interest? I thought the moderators are supposed to be neutral?
By alsgal on October 2nd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Yeah, I wonderd that myself but I figure since it’s public knowledge now, she will catch some garbage if she’s not fairly neutral…but ask me again tomorrow how I feel
By Julie on October 2nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
The book had not been announced when she was chosen as moderator. Indeed, according to her, it isn’t finished yet. It’s title is “Breakthrough,” which, if it were about a traditional white candidate, would seem to be partisan. But as it’s about the first black man nominated by a major party (by any definition a “breakthrough,” whether you support him or not) and since Ifill is a highly respected journalist for Public Television, I think we can count on her to be more impartial than any of the previous moderators this election season. (Remember the late Tim Russert quizzing Hillary Clinton on how to pronounce the new Russian leader’s name? He wouldn’t ask a man the same question!
)
By Dan on October 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
John, I like that we engage in timely subjects besides the RF on your excellent site. I hope it doesn’t bother you!
As for Charles’s parties, I think it perfectly appropriate that he have one with his mother and the whole family and friends, one at Highgrove with his own family and their more intimate friends, and one (most important of all) to raise money. I don’t imagine the first two are taxpayer financed.
By Dan on October 3rd, 2008 at 12:05 am
I can’t sit through the debate…I’ve been trying but all I can think about is how Tina Fey is going to mimic SP. Eck.
Ok- this whole comedy thing makes me nervous. Robin Williams has a naughty mouth…how can he perform for the POW without being really offensive?
By dally on October 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 am
Quick reaction on the debate (it just ended): Palin did far better than expected, but by putting together complete sentences (for a change), she only made more clear that McCain is weak on the issues. She’s no longer a national punchline, but she’s still on a losing ticket. She helped herself, but she can’t save McCain. Biden is the consensus winner, as he also did far better than expected.
As for Robin Williams, will this party be televised? If so, he’ll behave. He’s been on every talk show for the past 20 years; he can be funny without being dirty. He can dance on the line without falling off the wrong side.
By Dan on October 3rd, 2008 at 3:44 am
I see the Queen has switched the next two investitures from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle to make way for the big bash for Prince Charles’s 60th.
However, if there’s a favourable reaction from the public attending, she may decide to change the venue permanently.
Another example of downsizing her workload.
By John on October 3rd, 2008 at 11:39 am
So, if she is downsizing…is PC picking up the pace? Other than, having a few birthday bashes?
I do hope that Dan’s theory about Robin Williams cooling it when he’s on public tv holds true…he can be pretty colorful when he chooses.
By Julie on October 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Julie, I think Robin Williams is an old friend of Prince Charles who has always been fond of comedians. As a lifelong fan of The Goon Show — a radio comedy with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan — he’s always liked rather crazy people.
I’m sure Robin Williams will know how to behave in his presence.
Prince Charles works very hard at a lot of things, and takes some investitures himself. They are trying to do this discreetly, so that the public doesn’t get to believe the Queen is withdrawing from public life. But at 82, she has to slow down a bit.
There was a lot of talk of Prince William taking up a bit of the slack, but he’s obviously got other ideas.
Incidentally, I thought Sarah Palin did very well in the debate. I watched the TV summary a second time with the sound off and she looked much more animated and interesting than poor old Joe Biden who looked like a ghost.
By John on October 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Harry, Charles and Camilla attended the funeral of Gerald Ward Harry’s godfather in Berkshire. Rexfeature, getty and isifa all have pictures.
John would you happen to know what Harry’s plans for next year are? Will he continue his service with the Blues and Royals despite the fact that another deployment has been ruled out by the MoD?
By Isana on October 3rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
So much for Palin, John, it seems you have problems with your own government today. He’s baa-aack!
Since Mandelson is no longer an MP, what do you suppose Mr. Brown will make him Lord of?
Lord Mandelson of Spin City?
By Dan on October 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Dan, I think Baron Backstab would be appropriate. But I’m sure he’s negotiated a good deal for himself. Brown is the supplicant here.
By John on October 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Baron Backstab…that’s funny!
By Julie on October 4th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Katie Nicholl’s new piece in The Mail on Sunday says that after Prince William successfully completes his 18-month SARF training, he’ll be asked to serve another SIX years. The training is expensive, and the RAF will want to get their money’s worth.
By Evelyn on October 5th, 2008 at 3:17 am
I read the article on the DM site. I think that the article is just a rehash of many things that we knew. However, there are things that were said that make no sense. First, how does KN know that Kate would not like to live in military housing? In my opinion, since Kate loves William she would go anywhere to be with him. William could marry if he wanted to marry. I would imagine the RAF would not stop him from doing so. I am sure that there might be times that were more conveinent than others. However KN says that she would have to wait for another 7 years. KN talks about what was said on Mustique. How would she know what was discussed at Mustique? Things have been very quiet the last 2 weeks. I wonder if William is training on the weekends or if he and Kate are just out of sight?
By kat on October 5th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Kat, I’ve just put up a new post on this subject.
By John on October 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
John,
I just saw it. Thanks for the article. I am not happy about it.
Hopefully, if they are meant to be together, they will find a way to stay with each other. I still think if not that William will look back and realize just what he had in Kate. I still think that they are soul mates who really do love each other.
By kat on October 5th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Kat, I think they are still close, but just not close enough now. This certainly isn’t Kate’s fault, but William had his doubts last year, swallowed them, and now finds them intolerable.
It’s a pity he’s had to sign up for so long just to put an end to it honourably. Sometimes complete honesty is a kinder response to doubts. Better than later divorce and acrimony.
By John on October 5th, 2008 at 1:13 pm