Londontown Adventures: Exploring Regent’s Park, Frequenting the Red Lion & For the Many Live!20/4/2022 The last month or so has involved little else but being submerged in essay writing. The five essays I’ve to complete - each of them 3,000 words - unfortunately cannot be written in the same spontaneous way as a blog like this. Immense amounts of research and reading are required, before drafting each paragraph massively over the word count (as per usual) and having enough time to edit down each essay to make it as readable as possible.
I shouldn’t be complaining. This was the university life I signed up for and, often, the topics are rather interesting. Indeed, there is a somewhat satisfying challenge in trying to make your argument thesis coherent and concise, while also going into enough detail. However, essay season (and exam season to come), where nearly every day is spent in the library, requires self-motivation with an escape on the horizons. Last year, that was seeing Matt Forde interview Lord Mandelson and Baroness Warsi in May 2021 at the Garrick Theatre. This year, it involved heading off to a live recording of still my favourite podcast ‘For the Many’. Hosted by LBC presenter Iain Dale and former Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith for four and a half years, it has evolved greatly since its inception in November 2017 while remaining true to the principles of respectful disagreement. Though I am neither a Blairite like Jacqui or Thatcherite like Iain, the podcast has been a profound and necessary constant in my life, ever since I’d just started sixth form! The podcast was to be recorded at the London Hippodrome on Easter Monday at 7pm, with doors opening at 6pm. My good friend Ollie Cranham-Young (a fellow ‘For the Many’ fan) and myself decided to make the most of the Bank Holiday by spending the day exploring before the evening excitement which awaited us. I’d met Iain briefly in July 2021 outside the LBC studios before attending an Academy of Ideas event at Church House but hadn’t ever met the first female Home Secretary in person. I knew it was going to be a memorable day. ****************************************************************************************************************** Ollie and I rocked up into Marylebone station at 11.15am, a mere six and three quarter hours before the Hippodrome would let us in. The train down from Leamington had been packed. I wasn’t sure whether London was going to be quieter or busier because of the Bank Holiday but I should have known. A day off is always a good excuse to venture into the capital. Normally, we catch the Tube at Marylebone to venture deeper into central London, but, as there was so much time to spare, we deliberately decided to walk outside into daylight. It’s only when walking in central London that you realise just how close together the different Tube stations are. Similarly, there is a somewhat freeing feeling of not being exactly sure where you are. Of course, in this technological age, Google Maps is always a form of insurance, but, in the heart of the capital, there is no sense of being lost. Though I am a city person through and through, green spaces within cities are, I believe, a necessity. Thank goodness for Regent’s Park, a beautiful hub of nature not far from Marylebone where we started the day. From an array of fountains to beautifully mowed grass and pristine hedges, the area is clearly well maintained. I really could have spent all day there: book, picnic, majestic views. Talking of which… ****************************************************************************************************************** I’ve long regarded myself as someone who wants to support independent businesses, especially in London. The rent they have to pay and struggles they’ll have faced during the pandemic means any help people can afford to provide will go a long way. However, on the hunt for a decent sandwich, just to grab a bite to eat, I’m afraid they left a lot to be desired. Aiming for Leicester Square, simply so we could see the Global Studios and, most importantly, the Hippodrome before our evening, we passed a number of businesses which sadly weren’t quite up to the mark. In the end, we enjoyed a huge slice of pizza each from Fiori, opposite the Hippodrome. Attempting to walk down to Parliament (for two politicos cannot visit London and avoid the Palace of Westminster), we found the most direct route had been blocked off, with police tape like on the TV dramas. As it happens, that morning, the police had arrested a man armed with a knife in Horse Guards Parade. Though there were thankfully no injuries, it remains a clear sign of how the dangers London is exposed to have not gone away. Eventually reaching Parliament, it was magnificent to witness the Elizabeth Tower in all its glory freed from scaffolding. Even if one of its clock faces was incorrect, it is a sight worth celebrating when the architectural beauty has been hidden away for five years. I still remember former Labour MP Stephen Pound in tears when Big Ben was silenced, bless. We walked over Westminster Bridge, buying some nuts (in cash can you believe!) to find the Etc. Venues County Hall, where I will be going in June to attend the New Statesman’s Politics Live conference, an event I am looking forward to hugely. Normally venturing north of the Thames, Ollie and I decided to spend some time on the south side for a change. Even with its tidal waves, I often find walking by a river extremely calming. The most moving part of the day was visiting the National Covid Memorial Wall just outside St Thomas’ Hospital. Made up of thousands of hearts, each with the name of a casualty, it runs for over 500 metres. With a section specifically for those under the age of 19, the memorial represents the sheer scale of loss. One can celebrate, as I do, the return to normal, while also ensuring those who passed away are not forgotten. They cannot be. ****************************************************************************************************************** A brief trip to Pimlico was followed by walking back through Victoria Tower Gardens, one of the closest places to which you can truly appreciate the Palace without going past security. Even having seen the architecture on a number of occasions, its exceptionalism and beauty is unforgettable and truly mesmerising. Wanting to eat early enough before the podcast, I, at last, frequented the ‘Red Lion’ pub. It was a political institution I’d heard of for years. The location where MPs of all political allegiances get merry, it is precisely designed for them. With division bells ringing, during the parliamentary season, I imagine the place is unrivalled as a location for political gossip. The pub itself is steeped in history, with paintings on the wall for different political figures from days gone by. We perched by a table and purchased some (unsurprisingly) expensive sandwiches. Among the individuals we spotted was Andrew Bridgen, the Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire. Currently in hot water following this Sunday Times scoop, I was tempted to channel my inner journalist and ask him about it. Thankfully, the better part of me realised it was neither the time or the place to do so. Following an excellent dinner, we had some more time to spare and so visited Covent Garden. Being right in the heart of the West End is always a treat, even if you’re not going to see one of the big theatre productions. Having loitered with intent by Leicester Square, it was time for the evening to begin. ****************************************************************************************************************** The security team were pleasingly quick at checking bags and ID before our entry. There, we ventured upstairs to the first floor, where the Penny Bar was. Looking over the casino, a hub for gambling, I managed to resist the temptation to spend (and lose) any remaining money. With an hour to mingle before the show began, it was delightful to meet so many familiar faces. I say familiar, but most I had either only seen at a live Zoom’ For the Many’ or in their tiny twitter avatar photos. Recognising who was who initially was a slight challenge, but, thanks to the immense friendliness of the ‘For the Many’ community, soon became a pleasure. I kept mentioning to fellow listeners how, when you’re listening to the podcast alone, it can seem a very individualistic experience: yourself, Jacqui and Iain. However, by attending a live event, you realise just how many other people enjoy the podcast too, something which is particularly moving after the days of lockdown. I won’t mention any fellow listeners by name, mainly because I know I’ll miss someone, but saying hello to those I had spoken to only online before was profoundly exciting. As Ollie and I queued up to prove we had actually purchased tickets, Iain and Jacqui arrived, both dressed very smartly. Some whopping descended upon the crowd, not least from me. I’d like to think I don’t get overly starstruck, but there is definitely something exciting and unusual in equal measure about meeting in person people you’ve only heard talking to you before. Suddenly the conversation goes both ways. After a period of mingling, lime and soda in hand, we were taken to our seats. The venue - usually where Magic Mike takes place of all things - was a very intimate cabaret style, with excellent seating. I was very pleased to be both on an aisle seat with a great amount of legroom. Ollie and myself were in the first row of the ‘common’ seats, which simply meant you sat slightly further back. Thanks to the wonders of good microphones, that didn’t affect the sound quality at all. Being treated to a postcard design of drag queen ‘Sue Knackers’ (guess which politician that is!), Ollie and I briefly spoke to a Conservative local council candidate before the festivities began. ****************************************************************************************************************** Like all the best venues, the lights dimmed when the proceedings took off and the party started. Beginning with the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ theme tune in tribute to Jacqui’s dancing attempts, this was not going to be a show to forget. As is a theme of the podcast, both Jacqui and Iain expressed immense candour, this time about their nerves in the run up to the live event. It’s completely understandable. Being at home simply talking to your co-presenter is a very different experience to being right in front of 320 fans, especially those who might be rather, err, merry! Thankfully, their own enjoyment as the discussion got underway was clear. Talking about the government’s, for my money, shameful immigration plans on Rwanda, they discussed some key political stories. Jacqui used her experience of the Home Office to try and convey what Priti Patel’s aims might be, even if she profoundly disagreed with them. Yet both the presenters and audience knew what we were really here for was the smut, innuendo and lewd jokes. Reader, there was plenty of that. I did wonder how easy they’d find making jokes when face-to-face as opposed to being online, but the presence of an audience and one another did not put them off, And the show was all the better for it, with regular raucous laughter. Rather, the group sat in front of us in the exclusive section even heckled at points and were clearly enjoying themselves a lot. After an hour (the first half was meant to be 45 minutes, but things never run to time, and nor should they!), the podcast briefly broke for an interval, mainly so more people could to the Penny Bar for another drink. Given I only indulge over Christmas, another lime and soda was enough for me. With more time for talking with listeners and photos with Iain and Jacqui, the interval flew by. ****************************************************************************************************************** A brief speech from the Hippodrome owner was followed by the second half, involving ‘For the Many’ fan and Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The Labour MP for Illford North, he’s widely been seen as a rising star and tipped as a future leader. Having made a previous guest appearance, he was well known to listeners. Giving the Labour stance as well as thoughts on Keir Starmer, he - on the whole - managed not to generate headlines by failing to announce his immediate leadership challenge! There were many laughs amongst the political insight; Streeting knew precisely what he was getting himself into! The second half also had more time devoted to listener questions. During the pre-show and interval, we had a chance to write questions on slips of paper before submitting them. I’m delighted to say my question was asked. What it was, well, you’ll have to wait until the podcast is released on Saturday. The show itself ended at 9.30pm, a very good two hour run of questions, smut, insight and laughter. I was especially pleased to have the chance to briefly say thank you to both Iain and Jacqui for a wonderful evening and their years of podcasting. After bidding farewell to them both, and fellow brilliant listeners, that was that. Ollie and I made our way back to Marylebone (with yours truly always frantically worrying about missing the train!), where we even had enough time to purchase some M&S food. Remember: it is not just food, but M&S food. And ‘For the Many’ is not just a podcast, but a collective community of laughter, warmth and insight. That was proved by the delightfulness of Easter Monday, which is already one of my highlights of the year. Here’s to the next one! Tickets to future ‘For the Many’ live shows can be purchased here: https://www.forthemany.live/
2 Comments
Katie
20/4/2022 20:48:25
A wonderful review! You captured the warmth of the evening perfectly.
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CK
21/4/2022 21:00:30
Great blog, Noah :)
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