Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge helped her close pal Elizabeth Day launch a book about friendship last night.
On stage at the Southbank, the pair told how they met on a trip to Las Vegas in 2014 organised by the British American Project, and have been close ever since. Waller-Bridge has used scenes inspired by Day’s life in Fleabag. Journalist Day called herself a “recovering friendaholic” who was addicted to the “adrenaline hit” of meeting someone new. Citing Cicero, she said she now advocates “a trial period of friendship”, just like in dating.
Waller-Bridge said she doesn’t connect with friends on social media, calling it “madness” which “fetishises the idea of how many friends, how many likes, how many followers”. Is that why she’s so successful?
Kwasi proud of his experience
Kwasi Kwarteng isn’t ashamed of his disastrous month as chancellor last year. Lured into a fake job interview by pressure group Led By Donkeys, Kwarteng boasted: “Of my generation in the UK, there are very few people who’ve had the breadth of experience I’ve had across business and politics at the highest level. There are probably two or three people.” Is his pal Liz Truss among them?
New award honours Peter Brook
Legendary theatre director Peter Brook, who died last year, is getting an award in his name. At its theatre awards next month, the Critics’ Circle will give a new prize to a venue that best honours his pared-back style. Brook’s old friend Blanche Marvin, who helped come up with the idea, says they will judge by his maxim: “It is what you put into an empty space that makes theatre”.
Gilbert and George salute the King
Artist couple Gilbert and George will open their new permanent exhibition centre in Shoreditch on Saturday, and have included a nice tribute to the King. Their “G&G” entrance gates feature a golden “CIIIR” cypher. It stands for Charles III Rex, and is one of the first to appear since the start of the new reign. They’d planned to salute the Queen, but changed the design last year.
Pooh musical fans out in force
Fans of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh were at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith last night to see a new musical based on the bear. Guests included TV presenters Anneka Rice and Vanessa Feltz, and Sam Branson. At home, Emma Corrin posed with her dog Spencer, whose name is inspired by Diana, their character in The Crown.
