Well-heeled classical music fans are fuming after a recent Prom was upset by the sale of popcorn, which they said nearly caused a fight at the Royal Albert Hall.
A performance of Dialogues des Carmélites by Francis Poulenc this Monday was undermined for some by the “noisy, smelly, intrusive and completely inappropriate” snack. Music critic Jessica Duchen, who was there, and claims popcorn has only been sold this season, said “there were people who nearly came to blows”. Another concert-goer agreed, writing on Facebook, as reported by Slipped Disc: “WTF is the Royal Albert Hall doing selling POPCORN during the Proms? Involved in a near fight at one tonight. Ruined the first half of a superlative evening.” Another person at the concert commented on the row, writing: “House Manager needed to prevent fisticuffs in Section H”, while others railed against the sale of popcorn at another Prom on Sunday.
We approached the Albert Hall and the BBC Proms for comment, but haven’t been able to verify any fist-fights in the Rausing Circle. But could the ruckus be solved by ice cream, a more traditional, and quieter, interval treat?
British Museum settles in row with translator
The British Museum has settled a dispute with translator Yilin Wang, whose work was not properly credited in its China’s Hidden Century exhibition. The BM has promised to properly pay and credit academics henceforth. Could it be that British Museum director Hartwig Fischer, who announced his resignation last month, is tying up loose ends before his successor is chosen? A petition calling for the BP lecture theatre to find a new name and sponsor is still under consideration. Watch this space.
Rain is such a drag in Regent’s Park
So much for the English summer. Last night was supposed to be press night for the La Cage aux Folles at the outdoor Regent’s Park theatre, but it was rained off so reviewers went home without giving their verdict.
The show has dance routines featuring drag queens in high heels on the sloped stage. They called a halt at the interval, says our man in the stalls, after a few actors had slipped. One of the last lines spoken was the apt “it’s starting to rain”. In the audience was Paddington star Hugh Bonneville, wearing an optimistic summer suit.
It wasn’t an entirely wasted evening, as punters were told they would be served free drinks, and an impromptu dance party went on late into the night. Perhaps some people won’t remember the first half when they go again.
Ella remembers chicken shop spent youth
We met pop star Ella Eyre at a party held by Heinz and chicken shop Morley’s at the Standard hotel last night. Eyre waxed lyrical about chicken, recalling when it was “the only thing I could afford after school”.
Also there were music stars Mahalia and Naughty Boy, who told us he’s thinking about starting his own ketchup brand. There too, Chicken Shop Date presenter Amelia Dimoldenberg told us loyally that Morley’s is her favourite outlet. Elsewhere in town, Idris Elba’s model daughter Isan was at a party hosted by singer Mimi Webb in a collab with the Maybelline make-up brand held up the stairs at Shoreditch House.
Cruddas attacks ‘Leninist’ Starmer again
All quiet on the Labour front? Not quite. Despite by-election success and big poll leads, some are unhappy. Jon Cruddas, a centrist who might be allied with Keir Starmer, has renewed an attack on the party leadership for being factional and “Leninist”. Despite Tony Blair anointing Starmer as his successor at an event last month, veteran Cruddas says Starmer is more authoritarian than Blair was and Labour “has no hope of tackling the huge issues facing our country” if things carry on as they are. He’s angry about the purge of soft-Left figure Neal Lawson in June.
