AS I am sure you know by now, this was the week when Downton Abbey fever gripped both the UK and the USA, with the long-awaited movie rolling out into theatres worldwide. As you would expect, the local British community got into high gear, with a fabulous 1920s-themed tea party at The Grove with lots of Brits in LA members (including myself) playing characters and interacting with the guests. I was Lord Philip Bexley, Lord of Redding (!?! – clearly my character breakdown was written by an American.) Other Brits in attendance included Peter McGann, Nicola Bertram and Ron Bottitta.
Highlights included flower arranging, tea blending and silhouette cameo pictures. They served refreshing iced tea and crust-less cucumber sandwiches and coronation chicken. Which was actually authentically British, especially by mid-afternoon when the bread turned quite stale! We even taught some of the kids how to play croquet.
Meanwhile Tuesday morning was also another chance to celebrate everything Downton. As guests sat down and enjoyed a full English breakfast at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, Focus Features provided wonderful prizes for all those who made the effort to dress up. Mary Samuel, dressed in a gorgeous crushed maroon velvet jacket won a cookbook, John Mawson won a fantastic umbrella, Alexandra Sokkoloff won a Downton Abbey book and Bernard, our much-loved mayor of Breakfast, won tickets to see the film and everybody received a tin of mints, perhaps very well needed after polishing down their full English tea.
And then there is Martin Samuel. A huge congratulations are in order as he will be awarded a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2020 Make Up and Hairstylist Guild Awards, which are scheduled for January 11th. Eileen and I are SO thrilled for him. Me especially, since he recently styled my hair for an audition, making me look perfect for the part. Thoroughly deserved, Martin we love you!
Don’t forget our British Breakfast is held every Tuesday at Cecconi’s at Robertson and Melrose in West Hollywood and we are looking forward to celebrating our tenth year with them next month. So stay tuned for details on a suitably celebratory breakfast event.
Where are YOU watching Downton Abbey? Alone? With family and friends? Let us know and don’t be afraid to share a review. You can always email us at info@britsin.la and let us know what you think.
Best of British to you all!
Craig Young
