We were very lucky that for the first time in heaven only knows how long, The Boy and The Cat were re-united under the one roof for 24 hours.
They had returned because we were attending a gala at the National Theatre. Effectively it's the end of Sir Nick Hytner's reign there, so it was bound to be a big thing. We had a table for ten...and were teased that we would be joined by two special guests. We gathered for drinks in one part of the theatre complex, and then paraded (yep really) through a tunnel of fire to where we were to dine. I've never been papped before. I'd like to tell you who were the 17 celebrities we counted (there were many more) but my memory is not what it should be...I'll include Olivia Coleman, and the vicar from Broadchurch, Sir Ian McKellan, Phil Daniels and erm, err, erm, err....
We were joined at our table by Philip Glennister (Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars) which pleased the girls and the boys. A consummate professional, he gamely kept chatting all night. My sympathy to him as I'm not sure it was his bag. I was sat next to our other guest. Matt Charman. You don't know that name? Well nor should you...he is a screenwriter, and so not a star as such. But if you're going to the cinema this weekend to see Suite Francaise, pay close attention to the credits...he did indeed write it. he has an ITV series coming up, and later this year a new film with Spielberg. Yes that Spielberg. He's going places. More importantly he was utterly charming. Absolutely attentive, fully engaged, and you got the feeling genuinely interested in us. I can't think he really was, except he did say that he spends every conversation wondering whether that may be the spark for a new story, a new script. Genuinely one of the nicest people I've ever met.
At the end of the evening, we headed back to our hotel, where Kevin Spacey was holding a party to celebrate his return to the Old Vic. I'd like to say we saw or spoke to the man, but we didn't. But we did have a great view from our room
