Fantasy New Years Eve Guests
Who would I invite for my ideal New Years Eve dinner party?
I'm pretty sure George Orwell would hate the whole dinner party atmosphere, he'd much prefer a drink at the pub. I'm sick to death of Christopher Hitchens, so he wouldn't get invited.
J.K Rowling would be first on the list. With the wine flowing she might reveal whats going to happen in the next Harry Potter book.
Next: Ricky Gervais, because he is very funny.
Voltaire, because he was witty and charming - everything I'm not. Learn from the master.
Penultimately, my 5 housemates. They would do all the hard work of engaging with the other guests whilst I sat back and absorbed the atmosphere and wisdom.
Maybe I should have a really serious guest? Someone along the lines of Leo Tolstoy or George Eliot? Nah, they would get a bit heavy. Picture the scene: You are pleasently nibbling on the Hors d'œuvres, minding your own business, thinking about possibly having a glass of mulled wine before dinner. Relaxed and comfortable.
All of a sudden, Leo, complete with huge beard, ambushes you and dives into a monologue on non resistance to evil and other such deep things. He compares himself to Christ and laments the fact that the Russian government hasn't yet made him a martyr.
You try and escape, but bump into George Eliot who is in the middle of giving a long speech about Christian morality and blah blah blah blah.
No. Instead I'd have Mark Corrigan from Peep Show. I must be in a trivial mood. Triviality makes life worthwhile.
Oh, and this is worth reading. The Royal Exchange is a remarkable space for theatre. This too, about reading big books to look cool.
-posted by Adam
