THE VIEW FROM HERE
THE Island’s celebrity status, like the national economy, needs every boost it can get. The possibility of Sir Paul McCartney gracing this year’s IW Festival is almost too exciting to bear and, should it come to pass, will send our celeb cred soaring into profit.
But, all too often, our assets consist almost solely of our one really trustworthy bit of family silver, Geoff Heartbeat Hughes and the less reliable commodities of Dame Ellen MacArthur and Alan Titchmarsh.
This latter pair are the equivalent of the Island’s celebrity hedge fund. We kind of think they belong to us but it’s really only virtual trading. At the end of the day, they may well have been bought by Hampshire or Scotland.
Thank goodness, therefore, for the forthcoming Minghella Film Festival. This takes place on March 12-14 and looks set to give a significant fillip to our superstar account, with several new names being available for those who like to drop them.
The primary objectives of the festival are, of course, to serve as a very personal and loving tribute to the work of the late Anthony Minghella and to raise money for a number of charities. But there will be plenty of fun around, too, and the Minghella family have kindly ensured we can all leave the festival reassured of the Island’s position among the top ranks of must-visit locations.
The only real disappointment is the absence this year of Jude Law. He was well on his way to becoming an Island commodity but has been snatched away by a rogue trader in the form of the United States of America.
Apparently, Mr Law is over there doing some television stuff. I’m sorry, Jude? When you could be stuck in traffic on Coppins Bridge, staring at the achingly lovely vista of Newport’s Cineworld? Your loss, babe.
Anyway, Juliet Stevenson is coming. Celeb addicts will be thrilled by the potential of Ms Stevenson, whose name can be dropped with a pleasingly fragrant reverberation. She’ll be doing live readings of Anthony’s work, alongside Bill Paterson (a Scottish commodity, nice vowel sounds), David Threlfall (has played Prince Charles, so we’re sort of getting royalty), and Michael Maloney (has played Sir Robert Peel, so we’re getting top politician, too.)
Plus, composer Barrington Pheloung will be staging a concert. Crazy name, crazy guy! Can’t wait.
The Minghella family will also be out in force, with this year’s most twinkly event being The Big Italian Brunch, hosted by Edward and Gloria. It’s like Dynasty crossed with Roman Holiday, sprinkled with parmesan.
What a relief. Quite enough celebrity excitement to last us until Macca rocks up.
Make the most of him while you can
WHO would be a political spin doctor in these shocking times? First we have allegations of both Margaret Becket and Jack Straw using the f-word when offered the post of foreign secretary and then news of Gordon Brown going loco in a most unpleasant fashion.
Mr Straw says he might have said "Cripes." Yeah, right.
Mr Brown says he has never hit anyone "in my life", which sounds extremely unlikely. Call yourself Scottish, mate?
Closer to home, we have stories of our council leader using deplorable language at a Valentine’s Ball. I cannot advise our national politicians but I think I see a possible solution for the spin doctors at County Hall.
They should issue a statement saying any impression of Cllr Pugh being fit only for municipal matters is erroneous. On the contrary, he is destined for far greater things and was merely rehearsing for the day when he is offered both the post of foreign secretary and Prime Minister.
His use of language and high passion will undoubtedly see him in high office and the Island should think itself lucky to have him while it still has the chance.
Something like that, anyway. I’m sure it’ll work a treat.