theAACL.co.uk » Events/Guests http://www.theaacl.co.uk The website of the Association of American Correspondents in London Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:07:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Six Steps Away http://www.theaacl.co.uk/six-steps-away/ http://www.theaacl.co.uk/six-steps-away/#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:04:28 +0000 Michelle Cortez http://www.theaacl.co.uk/?p=277   The Old Vic opened its doors once again to the Association of American Correspondents in London on Feb. 16 and brought back a piece of home. The theatre’s revival of John Guare’s classic Six Degrees of Separation, set in Manhattan’s Upper East Side during the recession of the late 1980s, explores a host of social and economic issues that remain familiar today.    Credit crunch. Asset valuation. Race, status, identity. [...]]]>   The Old Vic opened its doors once again to the Association of American Correspondents in London on Feb. 16 and brought back a piece of home. The theatre’s revival of John Guare’s classic Six Degrees of Separation, set in Manhattan’s Upper East Side during the recession of the late 1980s, explores a host of social and economic issues that remain familiar today.
   Credit crunch. Asset valuation. Race, status, identity. In the end everything and everyone is connected, as the play draws the lines from a Boston hustler to New York’s upper crust. The British actors, led by Obi Abili as Paul, Lesley Manville as Ouisa and Anthony Head as Flan, seemed to effortlessly step into their American roles. In the theatre’s rehearsal room after the production, they discussed their time spent in New York’s tony drawing rooms researching their characters, how they were drawn into the production and their pronunciation struggles – particularly with the letter R in words like water.
   Our time at the theatre provided a rare window into the hard work that goes into mounting an acclaimed play, in addition to being a flat-out good time. Its theme of connection is particularly appropriate for the AACL, as we work to build sources in London, one of the largest and most diverse cities in the world. No matter who it is you need to get, remember, they are just six steps away.

-Michelle Cortez/Bloomberg

]]> http://www.theaacl.co.uk/six-steps-away/feed/ 0 Spacey and Troughton at the Old Vic – On and Off Stage http://www.theaacl.co.uk/on-and-off-stage-with-spacey-and-troughton-at-the-old-vic/ http://www.theaacl.co.uk/on-and-off-stage-with-spacey-and-troughton-at-the-old-vic/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:22:16 +0000 Jennifer Siebens http://www.theaacl.co.uk/?p=251 Who knew that a 19th Century British scientist could create such a buzz? 2009 was one long celebration for Charles Darwin, the naturalist famous for his theories of evolution and natural selection. Harvard Professor Steve Shapin recently took stock, “On or around 12 February 2009 alone – the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth – there were more than 750 commemorative events in at least 45 countries, and, on or [...]]]>

Kevin Spacey and David Troughton in "Inherit the Wind"

Who knew that a 19th Century British scientist could create such a buzz? 2009 was one long celebration for Charles Darwin, the naturalist famous for his theories of evolution and natural selection. Harvard Professor Steve Shapin recently took stock, “On or around 12 February 2009 alone – the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth – there were more than 750 commemorative events in at least 45 countries, and, on or around 24 November, there was another spate of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection…” He even noted the lapel badges, “Darwin Is My Homeboy.”

The Old Vic joined the party, staging ‘Inherit the Wind’ by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The drama pulls from the 1925 trial of a young instructor for teaching Darwin in violation of Tennessee law.  AACL members were treated to a performance on November 11th, followed by a conversation with lead actors David Troughton and Kevin Spacey. (Mr. Spacey also serves as the theater’s Artistic Director, appointed in 2003.)  The men were generous with their time, given the rigors of their performances and the late hour. Generous, too, in leaving the bar open!

The conversation ranged from the play’s relevance today (I thought about Sarah Palin. Darwin is not her Homeboy), the brilliance of director Trevor Nunn whose re-reading of “Origin” got the ball rolling, and the depth of the stage – unequalled on Broadway – which allowed for “49 actors and 1 monkey.”

Mr. Spacey also addressed the business of theater – the need to enlist sponsors with economically sound arguments, “There is no need to be sheepish.” He argued “that people want a shared experience” and reminded us that the West End has had its most successful year yet.  Slyly, he pointed out that we were sitting in The American Airlines Lounge – nodding at the large sign nearby.  He also cited support from The Bank of America. “We got to them before the crash,” he quipped.

In a slightly tortured analogy, thinking about Darwin’s survival of the fittest and this evening of theater, The Old Vic deserves a special mention.  It survives, even thrives, without government subsidies.  The company works from ticket sales and support from corporations, foundations, patrons and fans. We thank them for hosting us, with special mentions to Mr. Spacey, Mr. Troughton and Jo Allan for their insights and kindness.

- Jennifer Siebens/CBS News.

]]> http://www.theaacl.co.uk/on-and-off-stage-with-spacey-and-troughton-at-the-old-vic/feed/ 0 Special Relationship Bolstered by Great Weather and Wine http://www.theaacl.co.uk/special-relationship-bolstered-by-great-weather-and-wine/ http://www.theaacl.co.uk/special-relationship-bolstered-by-great-weather-and-wine/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:29:31 +0000 Christopher Werth http://www.theaacl.co.uk/?p=221 In London, the weather is everything, which is why the new U.S. Ambassador, Louis Susman, and his wife Marjorie–who just arrived in the typically rainy British capital the month before–couldn’t have picked a better day to welcome AACL members to their new abode. The unusually bright sunshine kept wine sipping foreign correspondents and embassy press officers lingering long on the veranda at Winfield House until they were finally ushered inside [...]]]> Ambassador Susman with AACL members

Ambassador Susman with AACL members

In London, the weather is everything, which is why the new U.S. Ambassador, Louis Susman, and his wife Marjorie–who just arrived in the typically rainy British capital the month before–couldn’t have picked a better day to welcome AACL members to their new abode. The unusually bright sunshine kept wine sipping foreign correspondents and embassy press officers lingering long on the veranda at Winfield House until they were finally ushered inside for the ambassador’s off-the-record address.

With an imposing portrait of George Washington peering sternly over reporters’ shoulders in the main hall, the embassy assured all the muckrakers in the room that America’s “special relationship” with Britain remained as strong as ever (amid recent rumblings that Number 10 had been slighted by the Obama administration in the lead up to the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh). The embassy also sent out the word that it’s eager to work with ACCL journalists reporting from this side of the pond.

Given all the big, important issues on the horizon–from questions over Britain’s role in the war in Afghanistan, to the upcoming UK elections–both Mr. Susman and correspondents working in London will have a lot on their plate in the coming months and years. But the conversation soon turned lighter, and business cards were exchanged as the rest of the canapés and champagne made their way around the room. Even Washington himself looked pleased.

]]> http://www.theaacl.co.uk/special-relationship-bolstered-by-great-weather-and-wine/feed/ 0 The view from Boris Johnson’s office http://www.theaacl.co.uk/the-view-from-boris-johnson%e2%80%99s-office/ http://www.theaacl.co.uk/the-view-from-boris-johnson%e2%80%99s-office/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:38:01 +0000 Elizabeth Renzetti http://www.theaacl.co.uk/?p=188  

What’s the first thing you’d expect to see upon entering Boris Johnson’s office? A soapbox, of course. This one fortunately remained on the shelf as the mayor entertained nearly a dozen AACL members in his office on the eighth floor of City Hall (it might just boast the best view in London – Tower Bridge is visible right outside the window).

Mr. Johnson gripped a baseball he’d recently been given by the [...]]]>  

Boris Johnson flanked by AACL members

Boris Johnson flanked by AACL members

What’s the first thing you’d expect to see upon entering Boris Johnson’s office? A soapbox, of course. This one fortunately remained on the shelf as the mayor entertained nearly a dozen AACL members in his office on the eighth floor of City Hall (it might just boast the best view in London – Tower Bridge is visible right outside the window).

Mr. Johnson gripped a baseball he’d recently been given by the new U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James, Louis Susman, and talked about London’s rekindled bromance with New York. “After all,” he said, quoting someone, but not entirely sure who, “America is London’s proudest achievement.”

Having beat the drum for transatlantic co-operation, Mr.  Johnson left a few days later for New York, where he met with his counterpart, Mayor Bloomberg, announced tourism initiatives between the two cities and rang the bell to close the New York Stock Exchange.

AACL members had some pressing questions: Would he run again for mayor? Probably. For Conservative leader? He demurred, coyly. Most important, would he host Have I Got News For You again? Alas, not at the moment. The headlines are safe for now. — by Elizabeth Renzetti, UK correspondent, Globe and Mail

]]> http://www.theaacl.co.uk/the-view-from-boris-johnson%e2%80%99s-office/feed/ 0 The AACL has Paxman for lunch http://www.theaacl.co.uk/having-paxman-for-lunch/ http://www.theaacl.co.uk/having-paxman-for-lunch/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:37:23 +0000 Karla Adam http://murrow.theaacl.co.uk/?p=1

Jeremy Paxman, BBC presenter and one of Britain’s best known journalists, joined The Association of American Correspondents in London for a special lunch at the Foreign Press Association.

We talked a little about his best-selling book and BBC documentary series, The Victorians, and a lot about politics and our trade.

Paxman began by raising an eyebrow and asking: “Does anyone really want to hear about The Victorians?”  We did — but we [...]]]> Jeremy Paxman talks shop with members of the AACL and FPA

Jeremy Paxman, BBC presenter and one of Britain’s best known journalists, joined The Association of American Correspondents in London for a special lunch at the Foreign Press Association.

We talked a little about his best-selling book and BBC documentary series, The Victorians, and a lot about politics and our trade.

Paxman began by raising an eyebrow and asking: “Does anyone really want to hear about The Victorians?”  We did — but we also covered a wide range of interesting topics, from Tony Blair’s good memory to covering the Troubles.

I’m delighted to report that someone asked him the same question, over and over and over again.

]]> http://www.theaacl.co.uk/having-paxman-for-lunch/feed/ 0 Previous Events and Guest Speakers http://www.theaacl.co.uk/previous-events-and-guest-speakers/ http://www.theaacl.co.uk/previous-events-and-guest-speakers/#comments Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:07:29 +0000 Karla Adam http://murrow.theaacl.co.uk/?p=118 The AACL has hosted the great and the good over recent years, including Prince Charles, Tony Blair, Dalai Lama, Gerry Adams, Jamie Oliver and John le Carre.  

Below is the list of previous esteemed AACL guests from the previous decade, and beyond …

2008

July 28 David Miliband

January 22 Ken Wharfe

2007

June 11 HRH Duke of York

July 11 General Sir Mike Jackson

October 9 Alistair Campbell

2006

January 25 Benjamin Franklin House

February 9 Good Night and Good Luck

February 27 Sir [...]]]> The AACL has hosted the great and the good over recent years, including Prince Charles, Tony Blair, Dalai Lama, Gerry Adams, Jamie Oliver and John le Carre.  

Below is the list of previous esteemed AACL guests from the previous decade, and beyond …

2008

July 28 David Miliband

January 22 Ken Wharfe

2007

June 11 HRH Duke of York

July 11 General Sir Mike Jackson

October 9 Alistair Campbell

2006

January 25 Benjamin Franklin House

February 9 Good Night and Good Luck

February 27 Sir Ian Blair

September 19 Dress For The Occasion at BP

2005

March 4 Alexander McCall Smith

June 1 Sebastian Coe

June 8 Kevin Spacey

June 20 Jamie Oliver

October 26 HRH Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall

November 9 Col. Tim Collins

2004

March 10 James Rubin

June 2 Chris Meyer

July 28 Jana Bennett

September 15 Paddy Harveson

October 19 Michael Howard

December 7 David T Johnson

December 15 Sir Jeremy Greenstock

2003

January 14 Geoff Hoon

January 20 Chris Patten

September 2 John Simpson

November 18 Bill Bryson

December 9 The Hon. David T Johnson, Minister

2002

February 26 Peter Mandelson

March 19 Ambassador William Farish

March 20 Alastair Campbell

June 25 David Blunkett

July 8 Sir John Major

2001

February 6 Ambassador Philip Lader

July 4 Gen John De Chastelaine

July 26 Bob Worcester & David Butler

2000

January 11 Susan Greenfield

March 3 Alastair Campbell

March 27 Tony Hall

May 4 George Soros

June 21 Helen Fielding

November 20 Sir Peter Hall

December 5 Prince Philip

1999

January 21 F.W. De Klerk

February 4 Sir Paul Condon

May 6 Cardinal Basil Hume

May 12 His Holiness The Dalai Lama

June 23 Rt. Hon Earl Spencer

August 12 Marjorie Mowlam

October 25 Major Gen. Geoffrey Fields

December 8 Ambassador Philip Lader

1998

January 27 Gerry Adams

March 10 Jeffrey Archer

April 21 David Frost

May 26 Peter Sutherland

June 3 David Trimble

December 16 Ambassador Philip Lader

1997

January 29 John Humphrys

March 4 Max Clifford

April 8 Robert Worcester

June 19 Mo Mowlam

October 17 Chris Smith

December 8 Ambassador Philip Lader

1996

January 16 Diana, Princess Of Wales

February 13 Kenneth Clarke

March 19 Michael Heseltine

April 23 Peter Mandelson

June 3 Germaine Greer

September 9 Anita Roddick

October 15 Salman Rushdie

November 13John Prescott

December 10 Ambassador William Crowe

1995

January 30 Admiral Leighton Smith

February 8 Richard Branson

March 1 Gerry Adams

April 18 Conrad Black

May 23 Gordon Brown

June 12 Lord Gowrie

September 18 Alan Clark

October 18 David Trimble

November 6 Dick Spring

December 12 Ambassador William Crowe

1994

January 12 John Smith

February 10 Sir Patrick Mayhew

March 9 Virginia Bottomley

April 6 Ambassador Ray Seitz

April 27 Michael Portillo

June 8 Commissioner Paul Condon

September Tony Blair

October 26 John Birt

November 23 Admiral Crowe

December 8 HRH The Prince Of Wales

1993

March 2 John Le Carré

March 30 Baron Von Richthofen

April 15 Michael Palin

June 30 PM John Major

October 12 Rupert Pennant-Rea

November 24 Gus O’Donnell

]]> http://www.theaacl.co.uk/previous-events-and-guest-speakers/feed/ 0 David Miliband on the Foreign Office http://www.theaacl.co.uk/david-miliband-on-the-foreign-office/ http://www.theaacl.co.uk/david-miliband-on-the-foreign-office/#comments Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:39:06 +0000 Ginanne Brownell http://murrow.theaacl.co.uk/?p=128 Well weren’t we lucky? Just 48 hours before David Miliband’s controversial piece came out in The Guardian, which was seen as a thinly veiled attack on Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s leadership, the British Foreign Secretary was dining with us!

Though the lunch was off the record (so sadly can’t share snippets about where he is going on vacation nor the hotspots he’ll be watching over the summer break), he did [...]]]> Well weren’t we lucky? Just 48 hours before David Miliband’s controversial piece came out in The Guardian, which was seen as a thinly veiled attack on Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s leadership, the British Foreign Secretary was dining with us!

Though the lunch was off the record (so sadly can’t share snippets about where he is going on vacation nor the hotspots he’ll be watching over the summer break), he did give intriguing insights into where the Foreign Office is heading, his impressions of how things are going in places like the Balkans and Afghanistan and even some thoughts about the US presidential election campaign.

And of course, he did dish a bit about Labour party politics — what foreshadowing!

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