The American March 2015 Issue 741 by Blue Edge Publishing Ltd.

March 2015

THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE

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Interview Katie Brayben is Carole King

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Issue 741 March 2015 PUBLISHED BY SP MEDIA FOR

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Departments: News, Article ideas, Press releases: editor@theamerican.co.uk Advertising & Promotions: advertising@theamerican.co.uk Subscriptions: theamerican@blueedge.co.uk The Team: Michael Burland, Content Director + Motors, Music & Sport michael@theamerican.co.uk Sabrina Sully, Content Director & Community Contact sabrina@theamerican.co.uk Daniel Byway, Content Executive dan@theamerican.co.uk Virginia E Schultz, Food & Drink (USA) virginia@theamerican.co.uk Michael M Sandwick, Food & Drink (UK) mms@theamerican.co.uk Mary Bailey, Social mary@theamerican.co.uk Alison Holmes, Politics alison@theamerican.co.uk Jarlath O’Connell, Theater jarlath@theamerican.co.uk

©2015 Blue Edge Publishing Ltd. Printed by Manson Group Ltd., www.mansongroup.co.uk ISSN 2045-5968 Main Cover: Katie Brayben, Image ©Uli Weber; Circular Inset: Timothy Spall as Mr Turner, Image ©Simon Mein & Thin Man Films; Square Inset: Cynthia Corbett

@TheAmericanMag

agna Carta. You won’t be able to move in the United Kingdom this year without seeing and hearing a lot about this venerable document. Nor in much of the United States. It’s celebrating its 800th anniversary. Let me say that again... slowly. Eight. Hundred. Years. Pretty old even by British standards. And Americans take it just as seriously as the Brits. Magna Carta is the font from which Britain’s unwritten constitution and the USA’s written one sprang. If our two countries’ relationship is special, Magna Carta is one of the strongest ties that bind. This month we have features on (yes) the Magna Carta celebrations. And they’ve found a previously forgotten copy. Also Oscar Wilde’s infamous trip across America in which he invented celebrity culture. And still on the culture trail, an opportunity to see Petworth House’s JMW Turner exhibition with a TV art guru. Enjoy your magazine,

Michael Burland, Content Director michael@theamerican.co.uk

Among this month’s contributors

David M Friedman The modern world of celebrity culture was invented by an effete Victorian Anglo-Irish dandy - author David M Friedman explains

Andrea Solana The Head of Advanced Planning at MASECO Private Wealth details the first steps you should take as a new expat to look after your finances

Jane Doonan Rose An art expert at the American Museum in Britain, she uncovers a mystery - The Mysterious Mr Chambers, the First American Modern Painter

Read The American online at www.theamerican.co.uk The entire contents of The American and www.theamerican.co.uk are protected by copyright and no part of it may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information in The American is accurate, the editor and publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or any loss arising from reliance on it. The views and comments of contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers.

March 2015 1

The American

in this issue... 10 Magna Carta new copy unearthed 12 Wandsworth, home of the new Embassy 16 Moved to the UK? Now what? 18 Wilde in America - Oscar invents celebs 20 Investing in Art 22 Through the Palace Keyhole 30 Art: The Mysterious Mr Chambers

32 35 45 48 50 52 54

Mr Turner at Petworth House Interview: Katie Brayben is Carole King Back to the Future with Hillary Clinton NFL Honors - on the MVP red carpet TNA Stars Bobby Lashley and Grado Is Golf Dying? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hope So! American F1 team lands in the UK

4 News

25 Food & Drink

55 US Social Groups

6 Diary Dates

28 Arts

62 A-List Products & Services

38 Theater

64 Peggy Lee

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The American

NEWS Record Number of Americans at UK Universities

CAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, which manages applications to higher education courses in the UK) has reported a sharp increase in US applicants to British university courses. And the number of US first degree students has risen by a third over the past five years, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency report, to a record total of 4,555. It has become easier for US students to apply here as 12 institutions are now members of the US Common Application system. Four are Scottish, including St Andrews which hosts the most Americans. Key factors are the strong reputation of the British system, the shorter length of the degrees and increased competitiveness on the job market. Unlike their British peers, American students are able to use their US government loans to complete full degrees abroad, when scholarships are not available. PHOTO COURTESY FULBRIGHT COMMISSION

Name That Embassy!

reader (who prefers to stay anonymous) has sent in an idea that could spark a new game for US expats – name the new Embassy. He believes he has hit upon an excellent potential name for the new Chancery building: The Mayflower Tower Here’s his reasoning. Why the New Embassy should have a Distinctive Name The new Embassy building is provisionally known as ‘The Chancery’, but this is a generic term, rather than a distinctive name that will enter the public consciousness. In the absence of a memorable official moniker you can bet your bottom dollar the new Embassy building will end up with a frivolous nickname that will be hard to shake. A couple of minor press reports have likened the building (artist’s impression above) to a huge sugar cube, hardly a favorable representation of the United States! While the building is still under construction, there is an opportunity to prevent unfavorable nicknames from sticking, by adopting a splendid official name... The Case for Mayflower Tower 1) Of course, Mayflower was the ship used by the Pilgrims to sail from Britain to North America in 1620. 2020 will be the 400th

4 March 2015

anniversary of this famous voyage so naming the new Embassy building as The Mayflower Tower would come just in advance of the celebrations. 2) The new Embassy will be next to water – not only its own moat but also The Thames, from which the Mayflower sailed. 3) The building’s outer envelope even resembles the square-rigged sails of the Mayflower. 4) Mayflower Tower could also refer to the Mayflower Compact, signed by the Pilgrims in 1620 to establish representative self-government in the American colonies - appropriate for a diplomatic mission. 5) ‘Mayflower’ would also chime with the flora theme of the Nine Elms area and the neighbouring New Covent Garden Flower Market. 6) As with the Embassy’s landscape gardening, the Mayflower name would help to soften the image of this high security building. 7) Mayflower Tower rhymes - and it’s catchy! 8) Mayflower Tower is original and could be trademarked, before anyone else can take the name. 9) The Embassy would be switching from Mayfair to Mayflower! What do you think? Email us at editor@theamerican.co.uk

The American

Oxford Union Debate: USA Is Institutionally Racist T

he Oxford Union hosted one of its world-famous debates January 23 with the controversial motion, “This house believes America is institutionally racist.” The world’s most prestigious debating society has pitted international speakers against each other for 189 years. This was not the first time American issues have been addressed: in the 1960s, Malcolm X demanded black empowerment “by any means necessary” in an OU debate, and in the 1970s, Richard Nixon, in his first public speech after Watergate, admitted, “I screwed up and I paid the price.”

Rev Al Sharpton was initially to speak proposing the racism motion, but decided to withdraw at short notice and instead gave an individual address and a televised interview prior to the main Debate. He justified his decision not to debate the motion by claiming that the United States is “in transition” and he felt unable to comment. His place in the debate was taken by Annie Teriba, an Oxford University Student Union officer. Also speaking for the motion were Mychal Denzel Smith, a freelance writer & social commentator and Aaron Dixon (below, left). Dixon marched with Martin Luther King in Seattle. A former Black Panther captain, he worked for non-profit organizations focusing on drug and gang violence and homelessness among the young, and is now a Green Party activist. The Speakers in Opposition to the motion were Joe R Hicks, Vice President of the political think tank Community Advocates, Charlie Wolf, a London-based American writer, broadcaster & political commentator and David Webb (below, right), co-founder of Tea Party 365 and the host of his own show on SiriusXM. The debate raged, with impas-

Beatles Story Seeks Global Ambassadors

he Beatles Story tourist attraction celebrates its 25th anniversary with a competition to find 25 fans from around the world to become Beatles Ambassadors. They will all

receive a lifetime pass to the Beatles Story and an exclusive Ambassador gift bag. One fan will receive a VIP trip to the Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool, a stay at the famous 4 star

sioned contributions from the proposers who listed the many ways in which black people are disadvantaged in modern and historic America. The opposers countered by admitting that racism exists in the USA but maintained that opportunities for black people do exist today, and that they must take some responsibility for their own situation. Speakers from the floor, both white and black, took both sides in the debate, but the result was an overwhelming vote in favor of the motion: the members of the Oxford Union believe that America is institutionally racist.

Hard Days Night Hotel, a trip on the Magical Mystery tour, a visit to the Cavern, a trip down memory lane at the Beatles Story and have afternoon tea with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Visit beatlesstory25.com by April 13, and tell them why you should win.

March 2015 5

The American

List your event in The American: email editor@theamerican.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)1747 830520

Highlights of The Month Ahead

There’s much more online at www.theamerican.co.uk Yankee Cries and Rebel Yells National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW www.nls.uk to March 22 American Civil War items from the library’s collections and its legacy.

American Museum Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD www.americanmuseum.org The Museum reopens March 14 with its regular events for the family, including quilting bees. This year’s exhibitions are Spirit Hawk Eye which celebrates Native American culture with a series of portraits by photographer Heidi Laughton highlighting the present-day customs of the Native peoples of California, Arizona and New Mexico, and Hatched, Matched, Dispatched – & Patched, a selection of astonishing objects which commemorate family milestones; historic quilts and costumes.

6 March 2015

Chiswick House Camellia Show Chiswick House, London W4 2QN www.chgt.org.uk February 28 to March 29 See rare and historically important examples of the Camellia plant in the glorious Italian garden of Chiswick House. Lines in the Ice: Seeking the Northwest Passage British Library, 96 Euston Road, London www.bl.uk to April 19 “Why Europeans are drawn to exploring the Arctic”, with early European maps of the region, Inuit accounts of the arrival of explorers, early Arctic photography and the history of the North Pole’s most famous resident - Santa! Includes a Symposium: Alaska, the Arctic and the US Imagination and a Panel Discussion: The Future of the Arctic. The Night of Electric Voices Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, London www.eno.org March 1 An evening celebrating Rock Musicals, starring stellar performers from London and New York paying homage to Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show, RENT and more, raising funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Saint David’s Day www.wales.com March 1 Events celebrating the patron saint of Wales include the St David’s Day Parade in Cardiff, and Gala at St David’s Hall. Look out for events in all major Welsh towns and across the UK.

StAnza - Poetry Festival St Andrews, Scotland KY16 www.stanzapoetry.org March 4 to 8 Scotland’s annual celebration of international poetry incorporates workshops, masterclasses and readings from a global selection of poets, including several from the USA. Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival Whittlesey, Peterborough, PE7 1QQ www.belfastnashville.com March 4 to 8 Artists from both sides of the pond, including American country music artist James House, celebrating song writing and the Sister City link between Belfast and Nashville. Crufts 2015 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham www.crufts.org.uk March 5 to 8 The world famous celebration of dogs where canines compete in agility and obedience tests to win Best in Show. Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival Various, Bristol www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com March 6 to 8 An international array of musicians bringing an eclectic mix of styles to the city. There will be many American influences, especially on March 8th when the Colston Hall presents the New Orleans Takeover, three curated concerts dedicated to the spiritual home of Jazz and Blues.

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North America’s Largest Act of Slave Resistance? Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN www.gresham.ac.uk to March 8 In this Gresham College lecture Dr Nathaniel Millett, Associate Professor in the Department of History at Saint Louis University, focuses on the maroons - fugitive slaves given freedom by the British for whom they fought against American forces.

Christ Church Christ Church, Oxford OX1 1DP www.chch.ox.ac.uk/visiting

March 17 to May 21 Christ Church re-opens with a programme of events for all the family: March 17 offers the chance to walk through the college on a unique ghost tour; between March 22 and 25, the college celebrates its past and present with a series of talks, tours and demonstrations revealing more about the building and its history; March 26 offers an English Country afternoon tea party; March 30’s tour unearths the archeological secrets of Christ Church; March 31 and May 21 offer the chance to partake in the college’s family friendly Alice in Wonderland Afternoon Tea parties; April 16 to 19 the college hosts a ‘special interest’ weekend focused on the classic author, Jane Austen.

8 March 2015

USA Grad School Day The American School in London, 1 Waverly Place, London NW8 0NP www.fulbright.org.uk March 10 The Fulbright Commission’s semi-annual event advises prospective students on how to navigate the US university postgraduate admissions process. The Choir of St James’ School, Maryland Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TJ www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk March 10 The American choir journeys to the UK for a special lunch recital to perform choral, spiritual and contemporary works. Cheltenham Festival Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire www.cheltenham.co.uk March 10 to 13 One of the highlights of the racing calendar, the Cheltenham Festival features the best and bravest of jockeys and horses. Ladies day takes place on March 11, whilst a real Irish flavor is brought in for March 12 for a pre-St Patrick’s Day celebration. The climax of the jump racing season, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is the finale on March 13. Glasgow Comedy Festival www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com March 12 to 29 A top line-up of comedians including Rich Hall, Sean Walsh and Shappi Khorsandi. On March 28 at The Stand Comedy Club, America Stands Up introduces a showcase of upcoming American comedy talent. Dallas Baptist University Chorale Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA cathedral.southwark.anglican.org March 14 Sacred music performed by the choir of Dallas Baptist University in Southwark Cathedral, which has many US connections.

Mother’s Day UK March 15 A day for all children to show appreciation to their Mothers - unlike in the US, in Britain it falls on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Shakespeare Week www.shakespeareweek.org.uk March 16 to 22 Celebrated across the UK in schools, museums, theaters, historic sites, cinemas and libraries, Shakespeare Week gives the chance to inspire children and their families with Shakespeare’s stories, language and heritage. St Patrick’s Day www.st-patricks-day.com March 17 A celebration of Irish heritage and culture spreads across the world on St Patrick’s Day with parades in major cities across the UK. The Fast Show Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough, Bedford NN29 7JQ www.thefastshow.com March 22 FWD Drag Racing, Drifting, Stunt Displays, Jet Car, Fun Fair Rides and much more. Spring at The Ashmolean Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PH www.ashmolean.org March 26 to August 31 Love Bites: Caricatures by James Gillray explores the themes of love through courtship, friendships and marriage in Gillray’s caricatures, whilst Great British Drawings features more than 100 of the Ashmolean’s best drawings by British artists, including works by JMW Turner, Henry Moore, LS Lowry and more. Bath Comedy Festival Bath, BA2 www.bathcomedy.com March 27 to April 6 The annual comedy festival returns to the city of Bath.

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Forgotten Magna Carta Rediscovered in Kent Just when the 800th anniversary celebrations of Magna Carta are getting into full flow, a forgotten copy of the document has been found in a county council library. You couldn’t make it up. Magna Carta is said to be the bedrock of modern democracy and the rule of law as we know them and it inspired the United States Constitution. The previously overlooked document, belonging to Sandwich Town Council, was discovered in the archives at Kent County Council’s History and Library Centre (KHLC), in Maidstone. It is only the 24th original copy known. It is from the issue made in 1300 by King Edward I, some 85years after King John’s original, and given to the borough of Sandwich, one

of the Cinque Ports that defended England from the French. Since then it has been carefully preserved in the borough’s historic archive. The discovery was made by KCC Community History Officer Dr Mark Bateson after leading Magna Carta academic historian Professor Nicholas Vincent contacted him to investigate a separate document in the archives - Sandwich’s original Charter of the Forest, Dr Bateson spotted the Magna Carta right next to the charter, and Prof. Vincent authenticated the exciting discovery. The document is the first Magna Carta to be discovered since 2007, when Sotheby’s produced a catalogue listing all known 23 original Magna Cartas issued from 1215

Dr Mark Bateson holds the Magna Carta copy which he discovered

10 March 2015

onwards. The Sandwich charter is the second surviving for a Cinque Port, the other (again from 1300) being in Faversham. The discovery has important implications for the history of the publication and distribution of Magna Carta. KHLC also becomes one of just two institutions worldwide holding both the 1300 Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest (the other is Oriel College Oxford). KHLC will be at the heart of Kent’s Magna Carta commemorations which include being one of the host venues of a touring exhibition based around the Faversham Magna Carta. The Mayor of Sandwich, Cllr Paul Graeme, said: “We are absolutely delighted to discover that an original Magna Carta and original Charter of the Forest, previously unknown, are in our ownership. To own one of these documents, let alone both, is an immense privilege given their international importance. “Perhaps it is fitting that they belong to a town where Thomas Paine lived, who proposed in his pamphlet Common Sense a Continental Charter for what were then the American colonies, ‘answering to what is called the Magna Carta of England… securing freedom and property to all men, and… the free exercise of religion…’. Through the American Declaration of Independence, continuing in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Magna Carta still underpins individual liberties worldwide. To own such a document – and the Charter of the Forest - is an honour and a great responsibility.”

Magna Carta

Special events for the 800th anniversary

Renewal and Reform: Archbishop Langton in a Circle of New Ideas www.visitlincoln.com/magnacarta Lincoln, home to one of the Magna Cartas, has a series of lectures: Civil Rights and Women as Witches in History (February 19) and What Not to Do with Children’s Rights (March 20) both at Bishop Grosseteste University; and Who Wrote Magna Carta? (March 24) at University of Lincoln.

or Antiquarian Icon? (March 27) which asks if Magna Carta remains an effective presence.

King John & Magna Carta Exhibition Worcester Cathedral www.worcestercathedral.co.uk March 7 to December 31 King John died in 1216, the year after Magna Carta was first sealed, and was buried in Worcester Cathedral.

On Liberty, Magna Carta and Our Future Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford OX3 0BP www.brookes.ac.uk March 20 Human Rights expert Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Broadcaster Jon Snow, and Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, discuss Magna Carta and its ongoing meaning.

Freeborn English Liberties Theatre 2, Roland Levinsky Building, Plymouth University, Devon www.plymouth.ac.uk February 24 Professor Justin Champion looks at the way in which Magna Carta was interpreted in the 16th and 17th centuries.

King John Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire www.shakespearesglobe.com to May 30 Shakespeare’s Globe hosts the bard’s play at Temple Church, London (April 10 to 10), The Church of Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, (April 24 to May 16) and Salisbury Festival (May 27 to 30).

Magna Carta Day M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol BS1 4RN Murray.Evans@kent.gov.uk March 21 Dan Jones, Louise Wilkinson, David Carpenter and Nicholas Vincent take part in this special day of Magna Carta discussions in Bristol.

Magna Carta: Game of Barons Civic Centre, Trowbridge, Wiltshire February 28 to July 25 Exhibition based around Henry de Bohun’s part in the Barons’ campaign against King John which led to Magna Carta.

British Library Magna Carta Events The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB www.bl.uk March 13 to September 1 The BL marks the 800th anniversary with Law, Liberty, Legacy, a unique display including Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten text of the Declaration of Independence and an original copy of the US Bill of Rights. Also Magna Carta: Old and New, the history of the document, and Magna Carta and our Constitutional Future: all executive power should be subject to law, yet the UK still has no codified constitution. This discussion examines the situation.

Marks of Genius Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 Murray.Evans@kent.gov.uk March 21 to September 20 Artefacts from the Bodleian Library are going on show in the newly refurbished Weston Library, looking at the how books and manuscripts reflect the artistic verve, or ‘genius’, of hundreds of years of creative innovation. Among the exhibits on display is a focus on Magna Carta and its role in the display of genius of the nation.

Magna Carta and the Law Coopers’ Hall, Strode’s College, High Street, Egham, Surrey www.eghammuseum.org March 5 The contemporary legal relevance and significance of Magna Carta. Magna Carta at Salisbury Salisbury Cathedral, 6 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2EJ www.salisburycathedral.org.uk to September 26 Events include: Magna Carta as an Icon examining Magna Carta’s status (March 6); Magna Carta and Human Rights with the former Attorney General (March 12) and Charter for our Times

Magna Carta: The Lincoln Story Bedford School Library, Burnaby Road, Bedford MK40 2TT ww.history.org.uk March 13 A lecture by Dr Nicholas Bennett, author of books on the medieval history of Magna Carta.

Magna Carta: Icon of Justice Pledge of Freedom Hereford Cathedral, Cathedral Close, Hereford HR1 2NG www.herefordcathedral.org March 23 to September 30 The Cathedral’s New Library houses two important Magna Carta documents: the Hereford Magna Carta from 1217 and the sole surviving copy of King John’s writ, essentially the Magna Carta’s ‘covering letter’. March 2015 11

SO THIS IS WANDSWORTH T

he new US embassy that’s set to open next year is, you may have heard, in Battersea, an area of Wandsworth, in the south west of London. It may not be as well known to Americans as Mayfair or Soho, Hampstead or St John’s Wood, but it will become a lot more familiar. Get ahead of the trend with our guide to Wandsworth, says Mary Bailey. Who lives in Wandsworth? The Borough does not have as many mega-rich as, say, Notting Hill, but it attracts many lively and ambitious people with their foot on the ladder. Accommodation varies from houses worth millions, through luxurious flats to small traditional terraced houses - town houses with little gardens. All these can be well mixed up together in location. Wandsworth enjoys a mostly happy mix of religions and races. Geographically speaking: Wandsworth is mentioned in that ancient list of lands, the Dooms-

12 March 2015

day Book. It has its own river, the Wandle, flowing through it, as well as the Thames which borders the borough to the north. The Wandsworth History Society can help you find out more. The work scene: Institutions within the Borough include a world famous hospital called St George’s, a University called Queen Marys, the Royal Hospital for NeuroDisability and of course Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, near the park, whose patron is HM the Queen. There are masses of smaller but excellent institutions to attract your professional and voluntary skills and interest. Phone the Town Hall on 020 8871 6000 for guidance on voluntary work. How Wandsworth works: Wandsworth is one of the London Boroughs. London and Greater London are divided into Boroughs of slightly varying sizes. These sections are governed by Councils, and Wandsworth’s consists of 63

PHOTO ©WANDSWORTH COUNCIL

The American

paid Councillors who are politically elected every four years. The Council is responsible for local government, such as schools, garbage collection, minor roads, libraries and so on. They fix a local tax called Council Tax. The local paper, The Wandsworth Guardian, or the internet are easy ways of getting their names and you are free to get in touch with them and make suggestions or grumble about anything they control. Likewise with your Member of Parliament whose area of responsibility (Constituency) will differ from the Borough. The sports scene: Wandsworth is a sporty place. Rowing Clubs are found all along the river - Thames Rowing Club in Putney is a good one and friendly, with all standards catered for. Then there’s tennis. The famous Wimbledon tournament is just over the border into Merton borough, and it is a popular sport in Wandsworth. Join a club - there are many offering various style, coach-

Magna Carta Uncovered Anthony Arlidge and Igor Judge

2015 marks the 800th anniversary of the grant at Runnymede of Magna Carta. The story of how Magna Carta came into being, and has been interpreted since, and its impact on individual rights and constitutional developments has more twists and turns than any work of historical fiction.

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The authors bring their wide legal experience and forensic skills to uncover the original meaning of the liberties enshrined in Magna Carta, and to trace their development in later centuries up to the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America. By providing that the powers of the King were not unlimited, the Charter was groundbreaking, yet it was also a conservative document, following the form of Anglo-Saxon charters and seeking to return government to the ways of the Norman kings. This book tells the enthralling, ultimately inspirational, story of Magna Carta in a concise and readable fashion and will captivate laymen and lawyers alike. Anthony Arlidge has been a Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Counsel for over 30 years. In 1990 he was called upon during a case to argue the meaning of clause 40 of Magna Carta. Igor Judge was a judge for 25 years and retired as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales in 2013.

Published by Hart Publishing. Website: www.hartpub.co.uk Hart Publishing Ltd. is registered in England No. 3307205 Hart Publishing Ltd. is an Imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc.

The American

University Boat Race finish 2010 Putney, Wandsworth PHOTO ©SUPERMAC1961

ing and cost - and hard courts are available for hire in the parks if you just want to bash a ball for an hour. There are walking groups and tours too, Google for groups or clubs remembering to select one that suits your standard. On the fringes: Walk north over one of the bridges in May to see the Chelsea Flower Show on the other side of the Thames (tickets from the Royal Horticultural Society). Go by boat to Hampton Court Palace or further up river to Runnymede where Magna Charta was sealed in 1215 - The American Law Society have made a lovely monument up the hill there. Watch the University Boat Race in Spring - this year it’s on Saturday April 11. It starts from Putney Bridge. Both the Oxford and Cambridge boats usually contain several huge, fit Americans and you can see and encourage them on several early mornings before the race as they practise. Make use of the theaters in Wimbledon and

14 March 2015

Kingston. Kew Gardens is a must for a visit too and is very child friendly. And do walk, in the parks, along the river and through the town. Traveling, driving... and getting out of the place. Like New York driving a private car in London is awful and over here very expensive as well, with insurance, parking, petrol and (when you head for the center of town) the Congestion Charge. Public transport is good, with buses, trains, overground underground and black cabs. Also mini cabs, but make sure you employ a recommended firm - never get into a mini cab without ordering it in advance. If you long to see cows and fields, hire a car and take the A3 west. Learning things: Ladies, if you are here for a year or two it might be worth approaching the Women’s Institute (founded in Canada in 1897 among farmers wives). Sounds boring? It isn’t. Or speak to the Open University where you might have time to obtain a degree in

something different or just improve your knowledge of a language or your cooking skills. Families: Wandsworth is good for families. There are plenty of facilities, schools and open spaces. There are so many babies in one part it’s nicknamed Nappy Valley. (Nappies are Brit English for diapers!) Finally MIX IN: Wandsworthians like Americans, and the new Embassy is welcome, attracting a lot of interest. I have been an ex pat all over the world and always wanted to go home around the third day but stick it out and you will enjoy Wandsworth, you have the whole of London within easy distance and such things as the funny way we play bridge, and general oddness will become acceptable. Enjoy Wandsworth. It may not have the glamor and buzz of central London or the beauty of the lovely British countryside but there are many worse places to call home than Wandsworth.

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The American

You've moved to the UK – Now what? By Andrea Solana

s an American living in the UK, almost nothing related to your financial affairs is easy. The consequences of seemingly simple decisions – such as how to pay for a new home or purchase a mutual fund - may create unnecessary tax charges and complexities. There are a number of key milestones that occur, from the time you arrive in the UK to the time you potentially approach and reach retirement. Many of these changes will impact the appropriate wealth management strategies for American expats. Understanding how rules will change for you over time will allow you to plan ahead and make prudent financial decisions. We begin these series of articles with some initial considerations for your first three years in the UK. As long as you live in the UK, you will be dealing with taxation in two jurisdictions and it is important to gain an understanding of how the UK and the US tax systems interact

16 March 2015

with one another. It is true that a Double Tax Treaty exists between the two countries but this does not mean that all types of income or all tax-advantaged savings methods and accounts are treated the same way. Therefore, as you settle into your new life here, you should begin to familiarise yourself with the similarities and differences. Gaining a high level understanding of the tax traps to be aware of will help you avoid making detrimental financial decisions without taking advice first. If your work in the UK will take you on frequent foreign travel, there may be opportunities to exclude some of the foreign earnings from UK taxation if your employer pays your salary into an offshore bank account and you do not bring the foreign earnings onshore. If you think this might be applicable for your individual situation, you should seek advice from a US-UK tax adviser on the specific steps to

take to ensure you do this correctly. The UK and the US also have different tax years. The US follows a calendar tax year and the UK tax year runs from April 6 to April 5 each year. Staying organised and keeping good records of all financial transactions that take place will inevitably make your life easier when tax time comes around. As you can never be certain whether your move to the UK is permanent, you should take steps to maintain good credit standing back home in the US. This can be useful both for your visits back home and, more importantly, if you decide to return permanently. Keeping your US credit active may be as easy as using your credit card to pay for your Netflix account each month. However, keep in mind that whilst you are in the UK, if you use US dollars to pay for something it may be considered a remittance for UK tax purposes. Lastly, as you settle in, subscrib-

The American

ing to some useful sites online may help answer some of the routine questions that expats have. Sites like Focus-info.org, UK Yankee, Expats Plaza, Expat Exchange and TheAmerican.co.uk may all be useful places to begin. If you would like a full copy of MASECOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 39 Steps to Smart Living in the UK please visit, www.masecopw. com. Andrea Solana is Head of Advanced Planning at MASECO Private Wealth. Andrea graduated from University of Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s McIntire School of Commerce with a degree in Finance and

Management, completed her MBA at Imperial College London and holds her US Series 65 license. She spent 9 years with a well-known Washington DC based international tax and global wealth management firm providing advisory services to US expatriates abroad and foreign nationals living in the US. Andrea has gained considerable experience advising high net worth individuals with multijurisdictional financial interests to design and implement strategies for tax-efficient and risk-managed asset growth. She has written numerous white papers regarding fundamental financial planning and investment strategies for

U.S. connected individuals and has previously been a speaker on financial planning topics at both The World Bank and IMF.

MASECO Private Wealth is not a qualified tax adviser and you should seek separate advice on your tax position with a suitably qualified tax adviser. MASECO LLP trading as MASECO Private Wealth is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax advice.

Have you been living in the UK for more than 7 years?

Are you American? Do you own US mutual funds or ETFs? If so, you may be paying too much in taxes. For more information, please visit our website. MASECO LLP trading as MASECO Private Wealth is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax advice.

MASECO LLP is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor in the United States of America.

T: +44 (0)20 7043 0455 E: enquiries@masecopw.com W: www.masecoprivatewealth.com

The American

Wilde in America On a mammoth speaking tour to the USA Oscar Wilde invented celebrity culture, writes David M Friedman

hen Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin 161 years ago, his mother, no stranger to hyperbole she claimed, without evidence, to be descended from Dante - immediately predicted greatness for her second son, just as she had for her first, William Wilde, two years earlier. She’d be wrong about Willie, who became a hack journalist in London with a weakness for whiskey. But she was certainly right about Oscar. Though it hardly needs restating, Wilde would become the greatest comic dramatist in the history of the English theater, the writer of peerlessly witty plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windermere’s Fan, and An Ideal Husband – all of which are regularly produced today – as well as the intensely psychological novel The Picture of Doran Gray, a book still in print more than a century after it was first published. It just might be, however, that Wilde’s most enduring legacy isn’t literary. It is cultural, in the largest sense of that term. For Oscar Wilde did more than create a body of work that’s now in the Western canon. He created an enduring part of the world we all live in. That part isn’t a geographical entity. It is a constellation of values, attitudes, and poses. It is a mind-set where everyone thinks they could be famous and, even more to the point, should be. It is a belief system

18 March 2015

in which ‘celebrity,’ a word that once referred exclusively to persons of achievement - artists, athletes, politicians, and so on, who left their mark on history through their deeds - has expanded its meaning to include persons famous merely for being famous, a status won by manipulating the media. It is a worldview where fame isn’t the end product of a career but the beginning of one. It is the part of modern life we call celebrity culture. Wilde called it into existence in 1882 in America, where he engaged in a nearly yearlong speaking tour that touched down in 30 States, covered approximately 15,000 miles, generated more than 500 newspaper and magazine articles, and, when it was over, made the 27-year-old Oxford graduate the second-most-famous Briton in America, behind only Queen Victoria. Not bad for a writer who, at this point in his career, had only written a self-published book of poems and an unproduced play. This ‘product launch’ was all the more remarkable because Wilde had no training in business and only a little more in public speaking. In an era populated by several of the greatest marketers in America’s history - a list that includes H. J. Heinz, Milton Hershey, and Levi Strauss - Oscar Wilde, whose only product was a self-adoring dandy named Oscar Wilde, may have been

the best of them all. Other Europeans - Dickens and Tocqueville, to name but two - had toured the United States before Wilde. But they came to learn about America; Wilde came so America could learn about him. Meeting his audiences in an impossible-toignore ensemble - satin breeches, silver-buckled pumps, and a snug velvet coat with lace trim - Wilde sold himself to the American public as a “Professor of Aesthetics” in 150 lectures that brought him face to face with farmers, socialites, prospectors, prostitutes, southern belles, Harvard intellectuals, and, if a newspaper account is accurate, a detachment of Texas Rangers who bestowed upon him the rank of colonel. Traveling by rail, carriage, and, when absolutely necessary, mule, Wilde spoke on tasteful home design to crowds ranging from 30 to 3,000, often embellishing his advice with excerpts from his favorite poems. Maybe it’s not surprising some American reporters mocked him as an “ass-thete” and, when other insults failed, as “she.” But those rude hacks underestimated their target. Beneath Wilde’s delicate persona - the rougewearing dandy languidly flinging

The American

Oscar Wilde reclining with Poems, by Napoleon Sarony in New York in 1882. Wilde often liked to appear idle, though in fact he worked hard; by the late 1880s he was a father, an editor, and a writer. (Inset: portrait of Napoleon Sarony)

his hand to his brow as he sang the praises of sconces and embroidered pillows - was a man on a serious mission: to make himself a star, no matter how little he had done (so far) to deserve it. Wilde crisscrossed America from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. He sold autographed photos of himself in theater lobbies, at women’s clubs, and, on at least one occasion, at an amusement park. He was the featured guest at nearly 200 parties, where he often heard an orchestra play ‘Oscar Dear!’ (“Oscar dear, Oscar dear, How utterly, flutterly utter you are; Oscar dear, Oscar dear, I think you are awfully wild!”) and similar ditties composed in

his honor. And like most stars, he made a point of socializing with other stars, breakfasting with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in Boston, drinking homemade wine with Walt Whitman in Camden, New Jersey, and dining with Louisa May Alcott, Henry Ward Beecher, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Henry James, and (one wonders how many people could say this in 1882) both Ulysses S. Grant and Jefferson Davis. No matter whom he drank toasts with, Wilde was clearheaded about his goal, devising a groundbreaking strategy for manufacturing fame - one that is still used by many aspiring celebrities today, whether they know it or not. Decades before Norman Mailer, Wilde knew the

value of “advertisements for myself.” Decades before Andy Warhol, he saw the beauty in commerce and the importance of image in marketing. Decades before Kim Kardashian, he grasped that fame could be fabricated in the media. Decades before TMZ.com or Us Weekly, Oscar Wilde created celebrity culture. David M. Friedman is the author of Wilde in America: Oscar Wilde and the Invention of Modern Celebrity, from which this essay is adapted. The book is available to buy now, published by WW Norton and priced £17.99, ISBN: 9780393063172

March 2015 19

The American

From Emerging Markets to Emerging Artists O

nce an emerging markets economist for a major financial institution, London resident Cynthia Corbett is now the owner of a contemporary art gallery (www.thecynthiacorbettgallery. com) that represents emerging and newly established artists. In 2009 she founded the Young Masters art prize. Here, Cynthia explains the ins and outs of collecting emerging artists, providing practical advice about how to start and build a collection. According to Cynthia, the big advantage of collecting emerging artists is that “you can buy exactly what you fall in love with” without spending hours researching pricing trends and worrying whether it is the right moment in the market, for example, to purchase a Picasso or a Warhol. You can collect a number of artists’ work, or specialize in one that you love. You can also enjoy the benefits of ‘old fashioned patronage’ - just like the royal families or the church or the Medicis in the past - such as discovering and supporting a new name, finding out about them from a gallerist, getting to know an artist personally and following and aiding a career. “You have no idea what the impact of spending even £5,000 on a work of art or a series of artworks, on a young artist’s

20 March 2015

Cynthia Corbett

career can be. It’s huge!” says Cynthia. “It’s enjoyable and exciting.” The American’s readers will be intetrested to know that Cynthia - an American herself - regards London as the center of the world’s art market, eclipsing Paris (in the 19th Century) and New York (in the 20th) in every aspect from graduate art exhibitions to big blockbuster shows, with more depth and variety of art, although San Francisco is building a buzz around younger - but not necessarily inexpensive artists who are admiring the West Coast art scene’s past.

Start Collecting

Want to get involved in the emerging artist scene? Cynthia recommends the following: Go to affordable art fairs where everyone from new to seasoned collectors are on the lookout for the stars of tomorrow. Go for quality - be discerning. Specialize - if you have a particular interest, say photography, specialize in it - you’ll enjoy it more. Search the internet Seek out winners - keep an eye out for artists who have received prizes from juried exhibitions. Go to graduate and degree shows in addition to the larger exhibitions. Expats are lucky - London

has some of the best. Google “art schools degree shows” in the UK. They’re held in the Spring, Summer and Fall. The big exhibitions are good too, like the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition - although it can be overwhelming. Find galleries where you connect with the gallerist who is willing to advise on such things as framing, installation, shipping and insurance.

Tanager Talks is a series of interviews found at the website of Tanager Wealth Management, who offer wealth management services for expatriate Americans. For more information on how to be a successful collector of contemporary art, you can hear the entire interview with Cynthia at www.tanagerwealth.com/ blog/category/tanager-talks/art. Tanager supports The Anglo-American Charity Ltd and its US parent, the AngloAmerican Charitable Foundation, established in 2003 as dual qualiﬁed US-UK donor advised funds to facilitate transatlantic gifting. Find out more at www.anglo-americancharity.org

The American

Coﬀee Break QUIZ ➊ ➋

5 1

In which US state is Palm Springs? Which US singer, later a US congressman, had a number one hit single in both the US and UK charts?

➌

Concerto No. 1, in E major, also known as ‘La prima vera’, or ‘Spring’, is part of ‘The Four Seasons’ violin concertos. Who composed it?

➍

What did Winston Churchill say saved “more English men’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire”?

➎ ➏

What is a Springbok? Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space, who was the second?

➐

On March 4, 1918, the first known case of which pandemic was observed at Fort Riley, Kansas, USA?

➑

What is the word used by the media for a Chinese astronaut?

➒

Which 20th century US President could speak fluent Mandarin Chinese?

➓

The name ‘Canada’ derives from a native word meaning what?

8 5 7 7 4 8 7 4 9 3

5 9 4 9 2 2 6 3 6

It happened 25 years ago...

⓫

March 27, 1980: the price of which precious metal fell after the Hunt brothers tried to corner the market on it?

⓬

March 7, 9 & 21, 1965: Martin Luther King Jr leads 3 marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The passage of what Act did this lead to?

It happened 50 years ago...

Quiz answers and Sudoku solution on page 63.

March 2015 21

The American

Through the Palace Keyhole A

nn Hutchinson Sawalha is an American expatriate who has lived in some extraordinary places and through difficult times. She has been a nurse in Detroit, a housewife in Amman, Jordan, and run a hotel in occupied Jerusalem. Now she has written her memoir. When I was a child growing up in America, most all the adults who influenced my life had gone to school during the time of the Ottoman Empire. This empire had occupied all of the Middle East for more than 400 years and ended at the conclusion of World War I. The Arabs, who comprised a large part of this empire, were an unknown people, and what was known about them was that they were followers of Islam, a religion spread by the sword. This made Arabs not only mysterious but also frightening. So it’s not surprising that when I went to school in the 1940s my social studies teacher said that Persia is now Iran and Israel has been created in Palestine and because we’re still not sure of the names of these countries yet, we’ll postpone studying the Middle East. Of course, we never did study it and when I met Sami in 1956, I was appallingly ignorant about Arabs, the Middle East, and his country, Jordan. Sami was a foreign student

22 March 2015

working his way through university in Detroit, my hometown. We met in the psychiatric ward of the hospital where I was studying nursing and he was working as an orderly. Watching him interact with patients, doctors, and hospital staff intrigued me, not just because he was young and handsome, but also because he was so completely comfortable with himself. This trait was the one that interested me most and made me fall in love with him. During our two-year courtship, a business partner of my late father suggested that I visit Jordan and see first hand what the country was like before I took the plunge and married my young man. I must say I was tempted but decided against it. I felt that I would not have liked it if Sami wanted to marry me because he might benefit from my nationality so conversely how could I allow a visit to his country influence my decision to marry him? We married in 1958 in the presence of his parents who came from Jordan not just to celebrate their son’s nuptials but also to take their eldest son home, with or without his bride. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was about 13 years old when I arrived in 1959, which meant that I have lived much of the history of this country and witnessed at close hand some of the turmoil in the

entire region. I knew that Sami was a Christian Arab, but I didn’t know that he was also tribal. His tribe, the Azzizat, is probably the oldest and largest Christian tribe in the country. In fact the Azzizat were Christian within the first centuries after Christ and before Islam. I had no idea what tribal life meant and now, after more than 50 years, I am still learning. Tribal life in the Middle East was the way people survived since they had not been able to form nations with governments of their own. Going hand in hand with tribal life existed a survival mentality, which was as foreign to me as the Arabic language. Attempting to define this mentality is difficult, but suffice it to say that priorities are basic, like food and shelter, leaving little room for the arts, culture and planning ahead. In 1959 the population of Jordan was about 1,500,000 and of Amman about 250,000. Very few people had cars, telephones, refrigerators, or central heating, and commercial bakeries were just opening. Before then women baked bread at home or in neighborhood ovens. Only men shopped for food and very few women worked outside their homes except as teachers. Until the mid 1950s nearly all women delivered their babies at home, since there were no maternity hospitals. Educa-

tion beyond elementary school was still a luxury. For the first five years that we lived in Jordan Sami worked at several jobs, and the commercial section of the newly created Ministry of Economy was probably the most interesting and helpful one since it introduced him to the laws, opportunities and existing businesses in his own country. However, before long he decided to go into the family business of hotels, and we secured a government loan to build our own hotel in Jerusalem. At that time Jerusalem was a divided city, but within three years of opening our hotel the June War of 1967 took place. We lived through the war, survived with the building undamaged, and suddenly found that we were now living under Israeli occupation. Since we were still paying back our loans, and, as Sami said, a building isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like a profession that he could take with him if he left, we stayed in our hotel in Jerusalem and raised our three children under Israeli occupation. Business was seasonal and enough for us to manage to pay off our debts and have a decent life. The first and most dramatic impact of the Israeli occupation on me was to know that I was not a citizen with equal rights anymore. My car had license plates that began

Left: Sami in front of the Jerusalem Palace Hotel, 1970; Above: Distinguished guests from Amman surrounding areas outside the Bethlehem Palace Hotel,1959; Below: Ann and Sami wed, 1958; Ann with Vice President George Bush Sr, Hanna Lenna and Sami in Amman 1986.

The American

Ann and Sami surrounded by their children, spouses and grandchildren at their 40th wedding anniversary, 1985 with 630 as the first three digits. This proclaimed that an Arab from East Jerusalem owned the car. I had to carry ID papers at all times that stated that I was a permanent resident of Jerusalem. I was obliged to stop at all Israeli military roadblocks which could be anywhere, anytime. I began to understand what the black American experienced in his own country. He didn’t need special papers to announce his difference; the color of his skin did that. Now I knew what he might feel, and it shocked me. Another realization, one that was more difficult to accept, was that I now looked at my country from the outside. I could no longer remain in the comfortable position of trust and acceptance that I had when I was unquestioning and on the inside. I saw that American policies created and perpetuated political instabilities in the Middle East keeping Arab lives even more fragile than they already were. The normal challenges of parenthood we faced were more than doubled under occupation. Arab children were in serious danger if they joined in any resistance to the occupation, like throwing stones, or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As they grew older I never relaxed until they were home. Since young Arab men were considered more of a threat to the occupation than girls we managed to get our son enrolled in a boarding school in England and out of the country when he was 16. On the other hand, both our daughters attended universities on

24 March 2015

the West Bank for a few semesters. more politically active group called In the meantime, Sami had been Bassira-Insight. This group of mostly trying for years to get a40th permit to anniversary, international women still meets wedding 1998. add on row to our and,Hanna when he everyGrace, month and hosts speaker Back lefthotel to right: and his wife Leah, Ghaziaand Lenna. finally it would never on Sami, topics Nadine of interest those Shereen of Frontaccepted row left tothat right: Rakan, Sami and withtoAnne, happen, he began to make plans to us who live in Jordan. We learn and Rawan. build in Amman. Finally, in 1982 we about women’s rights, the work of decided leave the Jerusalem hotel non-governmental agencies in the in the care of a manager and move country, advances in education, and to Amman. Sami was now free to the details about the many and varbuild two more hotels in his own ied refugees that Jordan has hosted country. and continues to host. We have kept However, as long as we owned informed about most happenings in our hotel in Jerusalem we were the Middle East and written letters all obliged to keep our Jerusalem of protest to our own governments papers valid, which required each from the time of the Sabra and Shaof us to go to Jerusalem every two tila massacre to the occupation of years from wherever we might Kuwait by Iraq with the subsequent be. The most direct connection build up to the American invasion between Jordan and the occupied of Iraq. Currently, we are trying to territories was a bridge over the understand what the Arab Spring Jordan River. Crossing that bridge has brought to the region. at Rakan’s Mount in 1999. for almostGrandchildren 30 years produced the baptismI at wrote my Nebo memoir, Through the most unpleasant my Shereen, Palace Keyhole, hoping to share with Left to experiences right: Sami, in Rawan, Rakan and Nadine. life. The process took from three my countrymen and all who might to seven hours with long lines and be interested what has happened thorough searches. The Israeli lack beyond the headlines and stereoof respect for the person and proptypes of this region. I hope I have erty of the Arabs using the bridge succeeded. was calculated to humiliate. Since Ann Hutchinson Sawalha’s debut I crossed with them and as one of memoir Through the Palace Keythem, I can attest to this degradahole is out now (Medina, £13.95). tion. Available at all good bookshops Once I was settled in Amman and online at www.medinapubI eagerly joined the American lishing.com Women of Amman and another

Chocolate Dessert

Angel

THE NEW

f one defines angel as a celestial being that acts as an intermediary between heaven and earth, then The New Angel is aptly named. What’s new, is that it’s now in London. The original, The Carved Angel, opened in Dartmouth in 1974 and became something of an icon. 30 years later, Chef John Burton-Race took over and earned a Michelin star within a year. Now his Notting Hill restaurant has been awarded 3 AA rosettes within 10 months of opening. I suspect many more accolades are on the way. The old Victorian pub is now almost Scandinavian in its minimalist design. The seating is very comfortable with lots of room between the tables and the lighting perfect. Music sets the mood, but stays in the background where it should and the acoustics allow for easy conversation. Miracles! The service is superb. Nothing stodgy. Polite, attentive, well informed and charming. 4 rosettes! Race’s food is described as European with a French influence but that doesn’t do it justice. His enormous range goes well beyond Europe with influences from India and the Asia Pacific region. I’ll wager there’s a touch of American in there as well! The prices are very simple.

£46 for 2 courses, £56 for 3 and a supplement for the extraordinary selection of cheese. A 6 course tasting menu with vegetarian option is £77 or £137 with wine. By London standards, excellent value for money. The wine list? I nearly burst into the Hallelujah Chorus! An amuse-bouche of celeriac purée, foie gras, pine nuts and truﬄe oil was as heavenly as it gets. I lusted after an entire bowl of it but feared I would be banished from Eden. Tuna sashimi, Clare oyster, green apple jelly, yuzu granita and Oscietra caviar was an amazing composition. It takes skill to harmonize such complexity of taste and texture. This is where Race shines. My only criticism, indeed of the entire evening, was that the tuna was nearly frozen upon arrival. It did thaw, but only after I was halfway through. A glass of 2010 Riesling (£16) was perfect from start to finish. Celeriac and wild mushroom cannelloni with girolles, turnip and autumn truﬄe cream was flawless. Turnip never had it so good! Rich and dense, without being heavy. A highlight of the evening. A 2012 Chardonnay (£13.50) was also an excellent companion. Dover Sole, fricassée of trompette mushrooms and chestnuts,

39 Chepstow Place, Notting Hill London W2 4TS www.thenewangel-nh.co.uk Reviewed by Michael M Sandwick

pumpkin purée, toasted quinoa and a buerre noissette was another symphonic creation of sea and earth with surprising notes of Indian spice in the quinoa. The winter flavors needed a red wine and a 2013 Pinot Noir (£6) was a perfect choice. Doubly so, considering the price. The highlight of the evening was veal sweetbread, pilaf rice, fricassée of kidney and toasted almond with a Szechuan pepper jus. Sweetbreads are all too rare and nothing competes with their delicate flavor. These were cooked perfectly and the portion large enough to satiate even my greedy palate. What surprised me was the kidneys had a delicacy to match. Sweet and tender, I have never had better. With a glass of 2007 Barolo (£21), I think I had an out-of-body experience! Dark chocolate delice, sesame seed tuile with salt caramel and malted barley ice cream was all the best of this dark, rich earth, and Grand Marnier souﬄé, orange sorbet and orange and Cointreau salad straight from cloud nine. This dish seemed effortless compared to everything else, but believe me, it wasn’t. To make something so intricate, appear so simple is art. A 2005 Tokaji (£20) made this truly, a bite of heaven.

March 2015 25

The American

Trocadero, 7-14 Coventry Street, London W1D 7DH www.bubbagump.com

Reviewed by Michael M Sandwick

BUBBA GUMP I

can understand that the film Forrest Gump inspired a restaurant. The food of the gulf coast where the film takes place is inspirational and the story of a boy who overcomes his handicap because he is pure of heart even more so. Fish, seafood and Cajun cuisine combined with a pure heart should be a recipe for heaven. At Bubba Gump, it is sadly reduced to a gimmick. I could see right away that I had entered the realm of Disney cuisine. “Fine”, I said, “let’s play along. Let’s find our inner 5 year old.” Each table is equipped with two signs; “STOP FORREST STOP” and “RUN FORREST RUN”. When displayed, the former will, in theory, stop any passing waiter dead in their tracks. It worked 8 out of 10 times. My inner child was tempted to abuse this staff stopping power. Naughty boy!!! The waiters were all so friendly however, I couldn’t bring myself to torture them. We also played the Forrest Gump trivia game. I was horrified by how many

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questions I got right. The menu reads like my idea of paradise vacation. Fun, fruity drinks, fish, seafood, deep fry and all the best the cuisine the American south has to offer. Deciding what to order took eons. We started with an Alabama southern punch (£7.95) and Mama’s Mango Mojito (£8.95). Both were tasty but neither brought me closer to the realm of adulthood. Best ever popcorn shrimp (£6.95) was in fact the best thing we ate all night. Crisp and beautifully spiced, it was the perfect munch. Cajun shrimp in hot & spicy butter sauce (£9.75) was overcooked as was my main course of Cajun spiced mahi-mahi with bourbon sauce, shrimp and mash (£16.50). In both cases, a perfectly good dish was ruined by poor execution. No amount of delicious bourbon sauce can help a dry piece of fish and gorgeous Cajun spices are wasted on leathery shrimp. Lobster linguine with broccoli and lobster sauce (£16.75) would have

been fine had the sauce actually tasted of lobster. For dessert a chocolate chip cookie sundae with vanilla ice cream, chocolate and caramel sauce, peanuts and whipped cream (£6.25) is undoubtedly what all children are served in heaven. I could only manage to eat a third of it however and even that amount surely brought me to the brink of type 2 diabetes. Mama’s bread pudding (£5.95) was better though not my idea of this classic which, in my world, is made to order and soused in significant amounts of brandy. I can accept just about any idea for a restaurant if the kitchen is competent. The Forrest Gump theme is dubious at best. The cuisine of the American south is not. On the contrary, Cajun cuisine is perhaps the best the US has to offer. It deserves representation in the London. It deserves a 5-star location at Piccadilly Circus. It also deserves 5-star execution from the kitchen.

Network

Think Spring, Green Living, and Adopting a Manatee.

savethemanatee.org Photo ÂŠ David Schrichte

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Joshua Reynolds: Experiments in Paint The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN March 12 – June 7

Canaletto, London: The Thames from Somerset House Terrace towards Westminster © HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II/ THE ROYAL COLLECTION

Canaletto: Celebrating Britain

Compton Verney, Warwickshire CV35 9HZ March 14 - June 7

Bringing together Canaletto’s paintings and drawings created between 1746 and 1755, when he chose to celebrate the latest achievements of British architecture and engineering for the first time, this exhibition spotlights Canaletto’s nine-year stay in Britain which saw him document a series of new building works and projects, commissions which reflected the new-found wealth and assurance of the British nation. The houses, bridges, churches and castles he recorded marked out Britain as the new Venice and conveyed a sense of self-confidence, as Britons sought cultural inspiration not just from the Mediterranean but also from their own history.

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Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Joshua Reynolds ©NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, LONDON

Although widely regarded as one of the most important and influential painters of his time, Reynolds’ reputation as an ‘establishment’ artist masks his radical painting techniques and experiments with composition. The display of 20 paintings, archival sources and x-ray images, reveals the artist’s unconventional manipulation of pigments, oils, glazes and varnishes, presenting the many discoveries made during a four-year research project into the outstanding collection of Reynolds paintings at the Wallace Collection. This research project has been supported by funding from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, as well as the research expertise of the National Gallery in London and the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven.

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Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, c.1815

©ENGLISH HERITAGE ARCHIVE, APSLEY HOUSE, LONDON

DON’T MISS ... Homage to Manet

Made in China: A Doug Fishbone Project

Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery Castle Hill, Norwich NR1 3JU to April 19

Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, Southwark, Greater London SE21 7AD to April 26, then to July 26 (with answer) Exhibition lecture March 19 Conceived by American artist Doug Fishbone, who lives and works in London, the Dulwich Gallery have temporarily taken one of its paintings from the frame, replacing it with a replica commissioned by Fishbone and produced by one of China’s numerous exporters of handmade oil paintings. This is your chance to play an educated ‘Where’s Wally’ – find the replicated painting hanging among the 270 Old Master paintings on display and submit your answer via an iPad in the Gallery. Those with the correct answer will be entered into a competition to win a custom print from the Gallery’s collection, signed by Fishbone. The replica will be revealed on April 28th, when it will hang side by side with the original. Visitors will be invited to return to compare and contrast. How does the brushwork differ? How has the varnished aged on the original? How has the Chinese artist interpreted the style of painting of an Old Master? As many Old Master painters, from Titian to Rubens, encouraged the iteration of their work, of which there are several examples in Dulwich’s collection, this might not be as easy as it seems, but invites a closer look at their collection. The exhibition lecture with Doug Fishbone and curator Dr Xavier Bray gives even more insight, and they’ve some workshops where you can try your hand at copying Old Masters, a great way to improve your techniques.

Wellington: Triumphs, Politics and Passions

National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE March 12 - June 7 This is the first gallery exhibition devoted to the Duke of Wellington (1769 –1852). Most famous for his victory over Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo (June 18, 2015 is the 200th anniversary of this, so be prepared to hear a lot about it this year), he later entered politics, serving twice as Prime Minister. Here we explore the role of visual culture in creating the hero, the legacy of heroism and the role of the portrait in Wellington’s own public and personal self-representation. Works include Goya’s portrait of Wellington, started in 1812 after his entry into Madrid and later modified twice to recognise further battle honors and awards; and from Wellington’s London home, Apsley House, Thomas Lawrence’s famous 1815 portrait painted in the same year as the Battle of Waterloo, amongst the 59 portraits. The real experience of soldiers fighting in Wellington’s armies is also explored through eyewitness accounts, prints based on sketches by serving soldiers and an illustrated diary of an officer.

David Wilkie Wynfield (1837-1887), Edouard Manet, 1868, London rare photograph,

PHOTO COURTESY NORWICH CASTLE MUSEUM

This major loan exhibition explores the legacy of one of the most important and controversial artists of modern times, the French artist Edouard Manet (1832-1883). Manet’s influence on British Impressionism and the depiction of women in early 20th century art is explored, and includes Manet’s Portrait of Mademoiselle Claus, 1868, which was acquired from John Singer Sargent’s family by the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford in 2012. Other artists works include Claude Monet, John Singer Sargent, Philip Wilson Steer, Walter Sickert, Gwen John, Laura Knight, William Orpen, Alfred Munnings, Vanessa Bell and others. Created and curated by Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery. Note that this exhibition will not be traveling.

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The Mysterious Mr. Chambers

Jane Doonan Rose uncovers an art history mystery - the First American Modern Painter

he American Museum in Britain, situated in an elegant manor house near Bath, has countless treasures of furniture, decorative art and textiles, and an impressive collection of Folk Art. The latter includes a small canvas with a very big presence, charged with emotional appeal: Rocks of Nahant near Boston (1845), painted by Thomas Chambers. This artist is something of a slowly unfolding art history mystery. His life, about which very little is known, and his body of work hundreds of paintings and drawings - belong to the nineteenth century but his personal style looks forward to the twentieth, which was also the period when he was rescued from obscurity. In the 1930s two art dealers, Albert Duveen and Norman Hirschl, began collecting unsigned paintings linked by style, which they found in country sales and with antique dealers; the subject matter was conventional – marine scenes and landscapes – but interpretation was highly original. Their efforts were rewarded when they found a signed painting of a marine battle, The “Constitution” and the “Guerriere”, which gave them a name for the creator of this image, with its luminous sky, swooping clouds, seething sea, broken masts, and defiant flags. It also enabled them

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to attribute the group of stylerelated canvases. In 1942, Duveen and Hirschl mounted an exhibition of eighteen paintings in New York, entitled: T. Chambers, Active 1820 – 1840: First American Modern. It was a success, with connoisseurs and collectors excited by the color and energy of the style. However, no one knew who the artist was, and there were many wild surmises until Nina Fletcher Little, later followed by Howard S Merritt, two mid-twentieth century scholars, began painstaking trawls through city directories and census records, and hints of a life began to emerge. In the meantime more and more paintings were attributed to Chambers, and numerous museums and patrons collected them. He displayed a modern sensibility with his two dimensional scheme of composition, the strong visual rhythms stemming from line and shape, and the exhuberant, rich palette. He was even called ‘the American Rousseau’ and looking at his most exotic landscapes it is not hard to see why. Research, stage by stage, traced Thomas Chambers’ roots to Whitby in the North East of England, where he was born about 1818. He was one of several siblings, with an older brother, George, who escaped Whitby and became a successful marine, panorama, and theatrical

scene painter in London. Kathleen A Foster, academic expert and author on Thomas Chambers, has taken George’s well documented life and used it to throw light on Thomas’s, based on the assumption that they were indeed brothers. Thomas learned from George’s example and followed him to London. After a period of sporadic training there, Thomas’s ambition took him across the Atlantic where, in 1832, he made a Declaration of Intention to apply for US citizenship, which was signed in 1838. Over the following thirty years he lived and worked as an artist, creating his highly individualised marine paintings and landscapes, in New Orleans, New York, Baltimore, Boston, and Albany. He worked hard to attract patronage and buyers, including advertising his skills through newspaper advertisements. He also exhibited in an arts fair in New York, and sold through an auction in Newport in 1845. The auction catalogue increases the mystery surrounding Chambers and his professional practice. Seven of the marine paintings were attributed to ‘Mr Chambers of New York’. However additional artists – Messrs. Corbin, Nesbit, Miller, and Roberts - also showed marine subjects of the kind favored by Chambers; their names never feature again in exhibitions at this

Thomas Chambers, The Rocks of Nahant near Boston, 1845, (45.8cm x 61 cm)

time. Furthermore, many paintings were sold anonymously, but with subjects frequently seen in the work now identified with Chambers. Did Chambers share his style with a workshop, or paint under several names, perhaps because he wanted to give the works signed in his own name a special value? Towards the end of his professional lifetime Chambers’ fortunes waned; his style went out of fashion for possessing the very qualities which make it valued today. In 1866 he disappeared from all records in America. It transpires that he had gone back to Whitby where, destitute, alone and sick, he lived in the Union Workhouse until his death at the age of sixty-one. The Rocks of Nahant near

IMAGE BY KIND PERMISSION OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM IN BRITAIN

Boston, a marine picture, offers its viewer a contemplative scene, romantic in effect. The composition is predominantly an interlocking rhythmic pattern of curving shapes and lines. Drama is introduced by extreme contrasts of light and dark tones; the viewer effectively is barred from the light-drenched middle and far views by a rock outcrop. Color is vibrant. The setting sun illuminates the sky in a spread of benign warm yellow, streaked with terra cotta; high clouds add shades of violet-gray. Depth is achieved through over-lapping flat planes, so that the scene might almost be a theatrical set, and the relationship of scale is of small importance. Immediacy for the viewer is created through the

repeated pattern of the brush flowing across the canvas to represent ripples on the water. These animate the painting; further implied movement comes through the images of wheeling birds and far-off sailing boats. With economy of means, a vertical twirl of a loaded brush is all it takes to create the large boat’s slackening sails. The mariners’ work is done. Meanwhile, the fisherman and his companion in the lower foreground enjoy the remains of the day. For the full story see: Kathleen A Foster, ‘Thomas Chambers: American Marine and Landscape Painter, 1808-1869’ Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2008.

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Art for Sanity’s Sake Sabrina Sully checks out the new exclusive tour with TV antiques guru Paul Martin in Sussex and discovers a wonderful weekend bolthole spa hotel into the bargain

nspired by Mike Leigh’s film Mr Turner, starring Timothy Spall, Mr Turner – An Exhibition is a must-see at the stately home and treasure house of Petworth in Sussex, now owned by The National Trust (although the family still live in a wing). Sussex is the third best represented county amongst JMW Turner’s works, only bested by Yorkshire and Kent, and the artist was a frequent visitor to Petworth House between 1809 and 1837, where he loved to fish in the lake in the surrounding Capability Brownlandscaped Park. He painted in the old library (one of three!) with its large East facing window which had been converted into an artist’s studio within the house, producing paintings for the third Earl of Egremont, who bought a lot of his work and became his friend. Other artists made use of the studio too (I’ll name-drop Constable at this point) but only Turner had the spare key. How do I know? Paul told me. The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa in nearby Midhurst has devised a clever and enjoyable short break that includes a private viewing of the Turner Collection, an exhibition ticket and a browse around Petworth’s antique shops, all with the charming Paul Martin, of BBC Flog It! fame, who adds so much to the experience. The exhibition runs until March

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11th, uniting the Petworth collection of over 20 works, the second largest collection after The Tate’s (which includes the Egremont Seapiece, the first Turner bought by the 3rd Earl at the artist’s first exhibition at the Royal Academy) with 30 more of his most notable works and rarely-seen portraits of the artist to give an insight into Turner the man. It includes a small portrait of JMW attributed to the influential art critic John Ruskin, who championed Turner from the outset. There is also a cute watercolor of Turner outside his house by the river in Chelsea, (where he lived under the pseudonym ‘Mr Booth’ and was known as ’Old Booth’, with his mistress, the widow Sophia Booth) which was painted shortly after his death, and clearly shows the iron-fenced balcony where Turner liked to sketch. This is only the second time this painting by Alexander McInnes has been exhibited, the first at the RA in 1852, the year after Turner’s death, and it was only rediscovered and atrributed on The Antiques Roadshow last April. Sprinkled around the exhibition are some of Turner’s personal possessions, such as his well-used travel painting kit, maps and travel guides. There’s also the first of his atmospheric paintings, the wonderful Calais Sands (1830), intimate watercolors on blue paper, which were never for sale and were

bequeathed by Turner to The Tate, and some of his perspective studies and copious notes which he used to illustrate his lectures - who knew he was Professor of Perspective at The Royal Academy for 30 years? Paul told me. The show also brings out Turnner’s interest in science and his long friendship with Mary Somerville, the Scottish science writer and polymath. There are also props and costumes from Mr Turner, and the works created by Timothy Spall during his two years of training for the role of JMW Turner - some scenes were filmed at Petworth, the only ‘genuine’ location used in the film. The resident art collection at Petworth is hung as it was in the 3rd Earl’s time, close together and difficult to distinguish detail in some dark corners, (better lighting is being introduced and would be appreciated - all the Turners are now uplit). It’s so delightful to be distracted by what turns out to be a couple of William Blakes (including my second-favorite Blakes, Paradise Lost and The Last Judgement), arrested by Bosch’s highly unusual Adoration of the Magi, stumble upon a genuine Titian, or a Claude, Ruisdael, Teniers, Lely, Kneller, Reynolds, Gainsborough, or the array of van Dyck portraits that flank the huge flatscreen looping the documentary of the filming of Mr Turner at Petworth.

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The Grinling Gibbons dining room, The Carved Room, has to be seen to be believed. It is hard to work out how this great English woodcarver managed the elegant lattice of fruits, leaves and an occasional squirrel or bird hiding near the top of these more-thanpicture-frames. And underneath the large older formal family portraits, designed to give a view to those diners with their backs to the large windows that look over the 700 acre Deer Park, there are more Turners - look at Petworth Park (1823) then turn 180° to see the landscape now, and remember that Turner is regarded as the artist who elevated landscape painting to an eminence rivaling the epitome of the time, history painting. Then take the opportunity to walk in the grounds that Turner painted so many times.

Above: The Carved Room at Petworth with most lower pictures by Turner IMAGE ©BILL BATTEN AND THE NATIONAL TRUST

Right: Timothy Spall as JMW Turner in The Old Library at Petworth, a scene recreated from a picture currently in the exhibition IMAGE ©SIMON MEIN & THIN MAN FILMS

Below Right: Timothy Spall as Turner, painting in his studio IMAGE ©SIMON MEIN & THIN MAN FILMS

The Spread Eagle

We stayed at The Spread Eagle in Midhurst, one of the oldest coaching inns in England, dating back to the 15th century. Its impressive guest list includes a certain Queen Elizabeth I. A delightful organic hotch-potch of extensions down the years, old beams proliferate, there’s a large open fire in the bar, an inventive barman, leather chairs, delightful rooms with comfy beds,

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IMAGES ©COURTESY THE SPREAD EAGLE HOTEL & SPA

some four posters, and a stunning spa. Every bedroom is different, each with open fires and its own intriguing antiques and treasures. The staff are friendly and efficient, and the food is excellent - the restaurant is a popular place with the local clientele, always a good sign. Tea in front of a roaring log fire is perfect after exploring Petworth: a choice of 10 types of tea, fresh scones, jam & cream, and delightful sandwiches, is included. Even without Paul, this hotel is great for a weekend break, the manager JJ leads the way in attention to detail, and he and his staff make it a home from home, perfectly suited to relaxing with the newspapers in front of the fire. Dogs are welcome too, so I can see myself returning again and again. This part of Sussex has retained an almost sleepy countryside charm of yesteryear, with its local antiques and tea shops right next to the beautiful South Downs National Park. The tour of Petworth with Paul Martin is excellent, providing detail and steering you to works you might not otherwise have discovered, and he knows the gems to look for. The Spread Eagle is on to a great idea of linking special interest with the luxury of a hotel. Keep an eye on their website to see their latest ideas.

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The Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa, Midhurst (01730 816911; hshotels.co.uk) offers Monday-night “Petworth with Paul Martin” breaks from £299 (two sharing,) or from £199 single occupancy, on February 23, March 9, April 13 and May 18. The price includes 3-course dinner, bed and breakfast, Early Bird entry to Petworth House and the Turner Collection with Paul Martin, access to areas usually off-limits to the public, pre-booked tickets to Mr Turner – An Exhibition (February 23 and March 9 only), (cost of lunch at Petworth cafe not included) a visit to Petworth’s antiques shops and return transport to and from the hotel. An extra date, March 2, includes a visit to the exhibition but is hosted by Petworth’s Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Andrew Loukes, rather than Paul Martin, with a free afternoon in Petworth; these cost £259 for a double room and £179 for a single. Sunday night for just £99 for a double room with use of the spa facilities. Midhurst is fifteen minutes from Petworth, London 50 miles. Petworth House (01798 342207; nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house) is open only to ticketholders for Mr Turner – An Exhibition until the show finishes on March 11. Tickets cost £12 per person (including NT members): book online or call 0844 249 1895. Petworth House reopens on March 14 and Gift Aid admission costs £14 adults, £7 children and £35 families, free for NT members. The shop, cafe, restaurant, park and pleasure grounds are open year round, admission free.

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Beautiful Katie Brayben is Carole King in the musical adaptation of the songwriter’s life In this month’s star interview we get to talk to two people for the price of one: Katie Brayben is ‘Carole King’ in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical which has transfered from Broadway to the West End.

atie, you were last on the London stage as Princess Diana in King Charles III, previously you were in American Psycho. Now you’re Carole King. Those are three very different roles. I’ve been very lucky to play lots of different roles recently. It’s the ideal for an actor, it’s a joy. And playing people who have existed, or exist, is an added challenge, but it’s really cool because you get to research the roles and there’s a lot out there to find out about real people. What attracted you to Carole - did you know about her before being offered the role? Oh yes, I have been a big fan of Carole’s for years. I write my own music, and I was brought up listening to Carole King, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell - all the great songwriters of that era. It’s really inspired me. I grew up with Tapestry especially, I had no idea that she had written that back catalogue of incredible numbers for other people. Two out of three of your last roles have been Americans, yet you’re an English rose - what do you like about playing ‘Yanks’?

Katie Brayben

American culture is very interesting. American Psycho was set in the ‘80s, in that yuppie era – my character was brought up all over the place, she went to Le Rosey, the finishing school in Switzerland, so she was a hotch-potch of lots of different places and was a very specific kind of character. Then Carole, she was brought up in Brooklyn then moved to California, then Idaho, although we cover her from age 16 to 29 so she hasn’t got to Idaho yet! I don’t think playing Americans is something I’m putting out there, but there’s some great American work at the moment, especially musicals, and some great American creatives coming over here too. I love America - I’ve mainly been to New York and Boston, then up to Nova Scotia, and I’ve thought about going to LA and doing pilot season. Maybe that’s something for the future. Your American accent is very good - your agent’s website says you do a ‘General American’ accent... I don’t even know what that means! It probably sounds horrifying to Americans, it’s what they call it at drama college. The idea is that you can go into a show then perfect

your specific accent in rehearsals. At the moment there are a few words I find difficult in Carole’s Brooklyn accent, but we have a brilliant New York dialect coach Stephen Gabis, who has worked on Jersey Boys and loads of films and on Broadway. Carole’s life changes a lot during the story of Beautiful, and she moves to the West Coast. Does her accent change during the show? There are little things we bring in, but we have a short period of time to tell the story so it could be off-putting for the audience. Also, we start telling the story at the end then go back in time, so we made a decision to stick with the Brooklyn for continuity. There was a period when all the big musical shows seemed to be revivals, it’s good to see new work being produced too. I love the old work, things like Rodgers and Hammerstein and West Side Story, and Carole was a big fan of them too. But it’s great that there’s new work coming out - Duncan Sheik, who wrote the American Psycho score, is completely different to Carole!

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Katie Brayben as Carole King PHOTO ©ULI WEBER

You trained at Rose Bruford College in London - it calls itself ‘London’s International Drama School’ - how is it different to RADA or LAMDA? It’s difficult to know, because I didn’t go to the others. I went to Rose Bruford because I was interested in their actor musician course - both parts are important to me. My parents and my aunt and uncle are all musicians. I wanted to be an actor, but I wanted to write songs too. I had no idea what it would be like, but it seemed to combine my two passions. It was mainly an acting course, but on a Wednesday you got to play your instruments, make up songs, sing and play in

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character... it was cool. I thought a lot about following a music career, and I still write but I like doing other people’s work and doing different projects, so I might find doing purely my own work a bit restrictive. What instruments do you play, and do you play live in Beautiful? I play piano, guitar, cello, percussion. In the show the piano moves a lot, so it can’t be tuned properly. Everyone plays on stage, but it’s not the actual sound you hear. Has playing Carole helped you as a songwriter? That’s really interesting - she’s special, her music is extraordinary.

I haven’t had a lot of time to write recently, but some of her chord progressions are so great, so clever, so I’m hoping some of that will seep into my own music. The publicity for Beautiful says it tells “the untold story of Carole King’s journey from school girl to superstar” - which parts have been ‘untold’? That would be telling! I’m under strict instructions not to give anything away! But you get to see the writers creating together - Carole and Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil - and their personal lives. They were friends and competitors.

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The words and music in the show are by Goffin & King, Mann & Weil - you can’t go wrong with that. Do you have a favorite? I love ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, we have four of us singing on that one, and ‘Beautiful’ has a great arrangement. [Carole’s songs in the show include ‘One Fine Day’, ‘Take Good Care of my Baby’, ‘Up on the Roof’, ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’, ‘It Might As Well Rain Until September’, ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’, ‘The Locomotion’, ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’, ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’, ‘It’s Too Late’, ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, ‘I Feel the Earth Move’, and of course ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow?’.] In the States Beautiful has been called the ‘female Jersey Boys’, but there are big differences - Carole is a woman, and she had two different careers: as a songwriter for others then as a singer-songwriter. Does Beautiful include her solo performing career? No, it looks at what brings her to the moment of Tapestry. Are there any plans for a ‘Part 2 the Laurel Canyon years’? Oh, I don’t know! That’s a great idea, let’s put it out there and see if someone likes it! Did you find out things about her that you didn’t know before? Lots of things - about her early life, and later life, her relationships. With an artist like Carole you kind of get who she is through the music, but the early songs were sung by other people. It’s really interesting to find out where the songs came from, and why.

Katie Brayben PHOTO ©CRAIG SUGDEN

Have you met or spoken with Carole? No, I haven’t... yet. It’ll be a dream to meet her. I think she’s coming to opening night. No pressure then? There’s already pressure on opening night, so I’m thinking, everybody just come then and we’ll get it out of the way! [laughs]

Finally, what’s the best thing about being Katie Brayben? Hahah! That I got this job! I get to go into work every day and sing these songs, tell this story and work with such amazing people. It’s a gift. Beautiful is at the Aldwych Theatre in London. Booking to June 13. 2015.

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Written by Tom Morton-Smith Directed by Angus Jackson RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7LS www.rsc.org.uk to March 7th Reviewed by Daniel M Byway

Oppenheimer I

n his video summary of Oppenheimer, director Angus Jackson describes it as the “story of how a few marks on a black board changed the course of the human race forever”. The narrative of how American Professor J. Robert Oppenheimer and his colleagues came to conceive of and develop the Atomic bombs which were dropped with devastating effect on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 is a big one to cover, but the RSC, Jackson, and the play’s writer Tom Morton-Smith, have put together a stunning portrayal of the lives and the work of those involved in the Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer covers a lot of territory, exploring issues of science, politics, the military, society, family and much more - but it never feels too overwhelming or too complex to comprehend. Artistically, the energy of the production feels as though it mimics its subject matter. Like a nuclear reaction the plot lines

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and stories are constantly darting about, but are striving for stability. Lofty scientific concepts, which could easily perplex, are presented intelligently and coherently with clever solutions. The stage, for example, literally becomes a chalk board, and by the performance’s conclusion the cast are stood upon those ‘marks on a black board’ which have proven life changing not only for the protagonists, but for human kind as a whole. The ‘iron core’ of the play is John Heffernan, whose brilliantly powerful portrayal of Oppenheimer brings to mind the evergreen question of how far scientific discovery can be taken before it distorts human values. Heffernan’s performance makes our experience of following Oppenheimer’s emotional struggle through the project that much more enriching. As is often the case with the RSC, it’s how well polished the production is that helps to underline the play’s impact on its

PHOTO KEITH PATTISON ©RSC

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audience – a superb cast provides the basis for a really memorable performance, with special mentions for Ben Allen, William Gaminara, Jack Holden, Tom McCall, Jamie Wilkes and Catherine Steadman in particular. There are a few surreal moments in the play, some which work well – such as one of the bombs, nicknamed ‘Little Boy’, being anthropomorphized in a very moving soliloquy – others which feel a little odd, such as another bomb abruptly becoming a revolving disco ball. That said, the very fact this latter scene sticks in the mind is testament to what this play accomplishes. Oppenheimer is full of symbolism, imagery and subtlety, and makes me for one want to make a repeat viewing, just so I can appreciate the unforgettable artistic quality which Morton-Smith and all involved in this production have achieved.

PHOTO ©JOHAN PERSSON

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The Ruling Class W

hen an un-captioned tweeted photo of a house in Rochester, festooned with the St George flag and an iconic white van, the ultimate blue-collar British vehicle, parked outside it, can bring the career of the Shadow Attorney General to an end, we can safely say that class still matters in this country. All the more reason then for Jamie Lloyd to take the brave step of reviving, after 46 years, this ‘60s hit which made a rude splash in our theater scene just two years after the end of censorship. It’s the closing play of Season 2 of Lloyd’s brilliant Trafalgar Transformed series, one that has attracted a hungry, youthful, demographic back to the theater. This razor sharp and deliciously caustic satire straddles two extremes of the class war. In the first half our protagonist is all peace and love, by the second half he has been transformed into the epitome of a Tebbit’esque reactionary. The conceit is that by curing his insanity and “bringing him to his senses”, they have unleashed a savage James McAvoy is Jack, a paranoid schizophrenic with a Messiah complex. He inherits the title of the 14th Earl of Gurney after his father passes away following an episode of auto-erotic asphyxiation. Singularly unsuited to a life in the upper echelons of the aristocracy, Jack finds himself at the center of a ruthless power struggle within his

family as they strive to uphold the family honor and keep the loot. McAvoy completely banishes any memory of Peter O’Toole, who played it in the West End in ’69 and who was Oscar nominated for the film version in ’72. Vocally he masters even the more florid passages, including Tourettian outbursts, and he just oozes star charisma. He bubbles with a feverish energy throughout and despite his slender frame, totally commands the stage for nearly three hours. Ron Cook, in posh spiv mode, is a joy too as the unscrupulous uncle, Sir Charles, who tries to marry Jack off to his mistress Grace (Kathryn Drysdale) in the hopes of producing an heir so they can lock Jack up in an asylum. Jack has an ally in Charles’ wife, Lady Clare (a silky smooth Serena Evans), who also seduces Jack’s psychiatrist Dr Herder (Elliot Levey) to get her way. Also in the mix is a dodgy Bishop, two frightening battle-axes from the village, a drunken revolutionary butler and even a competing Scottish Messiah, McKyle, played with scenery chewing delight by the comic, Forbes Masson, who also gives us six other parts as does the gloriously versatile Paul Leonard. The ambition and scale of the piece reminds one why Barnes’ other stage work struggled to get produced. Barnes summed up his approach to drama as never settling for the

By Peter Barnes Trafalgar Studios, 4 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY 0845 505 8500 to April 11 Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell

“deadly servitude of naturalism” and it is a joy to see how Lloyd and his regular designer, the brilliant Soutra Gilmour, have risen to the challenge. Her approach to this space is both fresh and invigorating – be it musty drawing rooms or fields of sunflowers. The play combines a ferocious mix of hilarity and horror, taking in sitcom, satire, slapstick and soliloquy. There’s even song and dance numbers, including a supremely barmy take on The Ink Spots’ ‘Dry Bones’. Barnes is not in the business of balance either, which is refreshing. He’s a polemicist, setting out to mercilessly expose the foibles of the nobility but he makes you laugh, which is what redeems him. The postures might be crude but the intention is to wake you from your slumber and at a time where revolutionary currents have been unleashed again in Europe, it has achieved a topicality once more. It ends with the barking mad Earl giving his gibberish maiden speech in the Lords, only to be applauded for his common sense. Here Lloyd over-eggs the pudding. You don’t need to have cobwebs hanging from their Lordships. Tune in to Parliament Channel any day of the week and the torpid reality will be much more alarming. A small mis-step though, in a wonderfully conceived and executed revival of this important play.

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Assassins

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by John Weidman Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU 020 7378 1713 to March 7th, 2015 Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell

ou enter the Chocolate Factory to find it re-configured as a traverse stage, which has been artfully transformed by Soutra Gilmour into a dilapidated fairground shooting gallery. A huge plastic clown’s head, like something out of a Stephen King novel, is overturned and looking forlorn and two lightbulb signs for ‘Hit’ and ‘Miss’ catch your eye. Sondheim’s darkly delicious musical, from 1990, which recounts the hard luck stories of nine individuals who attempted and sometimes succeeded to assassinate US Presidents, has in the past been presented as a revue-style sequence of playlets. Here, however, director Jamie Lloyd incorporates all the murderers from the outset as a sort of deranged chorus of extras. They’re under the command of the fairground’s Proprietor (Simon Lipkin), whose face is smudged with Joker make-up and who begins by issuing each a handgun, drawn from the illuminated inside pockets of this long trenchcoat. Lloyd and choreographer Chris Bailey have done wonders in infusing the piece with such theatrical dynamism and in responding to the richness of Sondheim’s score. The music typically encompasses a plethora of genres: folk ballads, Sousa marches, waltzes, gospel, rag and a honeyed ballad which could have been penned by The Carpenters, ‘I am unworthy of your love’.

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PHOTO ©NOBBY CLARK

Andy Nyman as Charles Guiteau Catherine Tate as Sarah Jane Moore

That song is sung by the nerdish, John Hinckley (Harry Morrison), who shot Reagan in order to secure the attentions of Jodie Foster, with whom he’d become totally obsessed. Typical of Sondheim, when he gives you sweet, you’d better watch out. Weaving together the totally disparate stories of these nine sad folk must have seemed like utter folly. Little unites the stories and indeed some are quite epic but they persevered and the genius of the piece is that it tells each tale with remarkable brevity, while trying, as much as it can, to help us understand their motives. Some of the stories are better than fiction. Samuel Byck, for example, who tried to fly a light aircraft into the White House to kill Nixon, was foiled in his attempt because he neglected to disengage the wheel blocks from the plane. Embodied here by comedian Mike McShane, this crabby, walking midlife crisis is eerily dressed in a soiled Santa outfit. Then there’s the utterly ditzy suburban housewife Sarah Jane Moore (comedienne Catherine Tate) and the frenzied cultist Lynette Fromme (Carly Bawden) who farcically tried to get Ford. Both are pure comic gold. One carried her kid and her dog in the car with her to her shooting (well, you can never get a babysitter), while the other was so brainwashed

by Charles Manson she was incapable of focusing her festering fury in any one direction. Aaron Tveit (imported from Broadway) cuts a dash and sings divinely as the actor John Wilkes Booth who shot Lincoln. Another standout is Andy Nyman as Charles Guiteau who shot Garfield. His personality is a tightened coil of The Power of Positive Thinking gone septic. We end of course with the grassy knoll and the Texas Book Depository and here we see a rather gormless Oswald (Jamie Parker) egged on by the voices of the chorus. As Booth puts it: “Murder is a tawdry little crime but when a President gets killed he is ASSASSINATED”. Weidman’s book touches on the dark side of the American Dream and how this is the ultimate statement for these lost souls but the piece never tries to judge or pontificate. It is infused with a wit and in no way is this a grim night out. It has, after all, two top comedians in the cast, who are expert at delivering a killer line. On the creative side Gregory Clarke’s sound design is exemplary. Normally, good sound is when you don’t notice it but here it’s a central element in the production’s success, adding layer upon layer of atmosphere. Again, director Jamie Lloyd confirms he’s at the top of his game.

The American

Rob Compton as Bat Boy and Georgina Hagen as Shelley.

Bat Boy:

The Musical S

outhwark Playhouse at Elephant & Castle is building a great reputation as the place for musicals, most of them new and which represent an antidote to the lazy jukebox shows or tired movie adaptations that are the staple of the West End. Here you can see premieres of shows, like Into the Heights, which have won plaudits on Broadway but which nobody would risk in the West End. Bat Boy: The Musical is an interesting curiosity, which is given a very spirited production here, distinguished by some top-notch performances. For once it’s a revival, having originated in 2001 off Broadway where it was well received, it only lasted 4 months in the West End in 2004. Stylistically it is in a direct line from rock musicals such as Rocky Horror or Little Shop of Horrors where the aesthetic is comic book and frenetic. The innovative young company Morphic Graffiti, made up of director Luke Fredericks and designer Stewart Charlesworth, have given the piece an audacious energy. Admittedly though, eardrums do get rattled and lyrics lost in a sound-mix which overwhelms this small space. It is based on a true story that

actually appeared in a supermarket tabloid (OK, that doesn’t count as true, but you know what I mean) about a feral creature, half boy and half bat, which was apparently discovered in an underground cave in West Virginia. Having been captured by a group of small town teens, one of whose family takes him in, he is transformed from a wild creature to a highly articulate young man by the wife of the friendly local Veterinarian. Part of her arsenal is BBC language tapes, no less. So, it’s My Fair Lady but with more gurning. This being the small town America of popular consciousness, the creature is of course quickly demonised, blamed for biting a local girl and as the reason why the cattle aren’t thriving. The Vet’s wife has a major battle on her hands therefore to prevent him being lynched and matters are complicated by the sexual jealousy of her husband and competition for the boy’s affections from her daughter. Lauren Ward, who was so brilliant in Matilda, brings great class to the part of Mrs Parker, investing her with humanity and wit and a degree of nuance, which is sadly absent from the other performances. Rob Compton as the boy is also a stand out, delivering an astonishingly visceral performance

PHOTO ©GARRY LAKE

Music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe Story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD Closed January 31st, 2015 Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell

of gymnastic intensity. At times it’s hard to witness but he is never less than compelling as we follow the Bat Boy’s struggle for acceptance. Projections, an obvious staple of the fringe, are embraced fully here particularly in the last act where all the back-story is rather clumsily rushed over on video, despite the first act having had many longeurs. This is a fault of the book and not the commitment of the design team, who as usual in the fringe, do wonders with very little. O’Keefe’s score ranges from pop to rock opera, gospel, '70s disco and even a faux Jerry Herman but this studied lack of stylistic unity is a problem for a piece which really needs a signature style to make it fly. The aesthetic is campily lurid sitcom, so are they sending it up or trying to make us care? This just isn’t accomplished enough to pull off both, and the American accents are ropey.

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Book by Larry Gelbart Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by David Zippel Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LX 0844 871 7624 Closed February 7th, 2015 Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell

efore the Menier Chocolate Factory tempted us with Yuletide musical treats, the Donmar Warehouse was the place to go. With productions like Company, Merrily We Roll Along and Nine they set a new benchmark. Under new(ish) artistic director Josie Rourke they’ve decided to reinstate the tradition and so hopes were high for this year’s revival of City of Angels, last seen in London in 1993. Like wallowing in a special issue of Vanity Fair, this production just oozes luxury and glamor from every corner. Each element is top class and yet it doesn’t add up to a satisfying whole because, as in 1993, this show remains rather hollow at its center. You admire it but you’re never moved. The songs, some of which are eminently catchy, lose impact because they appear curiously foreshortened as if not to delay the plot. That transcendental ride therefore that only a musical can provide doesn’t happen and numbers don’t catch fire. The problem rests totally with the material rather than its treatment. A Weil or a Sondheim might have got under the skin of a piece which has to take on the dark nihilism of Film Noir and combine it with the added burden of a framing device about the travails of a Hollywood screenwriter. Sadly Cy Coleman’s zippy jazz score just isn’t

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PHOTO ©JOHAN PERSSON

City of Angels the right fit. Swinging from pastiche to pulling at the heartstrings is a tall order and Zippel’s often workmanlike lyrics and Larry Gelbart’s wisecracks merely add to the confusion of tone, something fatal for a musical. We lose interest in the characters. Typically, in one scene our hero gets beaten to a pulp whilst radio singers do a number around him. It’s as if Polanski threw dancing girls into Chinatown. The book interweaves two plots: the ‘real’ world of '40s Hollywood screenwriter Stine (Hadley Fraser in fine voice) who is trying to turn his novel into a screenplay and the ‘reel’ world in which his character Stone (Tam Mutu), a Chandleresque Private Investigator (think Humphrey Bogart) is hired by a glamorous rich woman, ostensibly to find her step daughter, but actually to ‘deal’ with her much older and invalided husband. At certain moments Stine wittily knocks the movie action into ‘Rewind’, and the actors comply, as he re-writes lines of dialogue. What is clever too is that everyone in this large cast plays dual roles that comment on and reflect on each other so, for example, Oolie, the wisecracking secretary to the PI is played by the same actor who plays Donna, the assistant to the film producer in ‘real life’. In the screenplay Oolie is in love with

Stone but it is unrequited, though as Donna she has an affair with Stine. As you’d imagine, tying up plot strands for all this makes Act Two sag a bit. The cast though are uniformly magnificent. Mutu has the squarejawed virility of a Burt Lancaster and Rosalie Craig (Gabby/Bobbi) might have just walked straight off the 1940s silver screen. Katherine Kelly is the ultimate femme fatale (Carla/ Alaura) and Samantha Barks just totally sizzles as the blonde young Avril/Mallory – ‘trouble’ in platinum. Peter Polycarpou is perfectly slimy as the garrulous Studio Boss but the standout is Rebecca Trehearn (Donna/Oolie), who has the look and the sass and the comic timing of a Hollywood great. Robert Jones imposing splitlevel set and Howard Harrison’s lighting simply astonish too. We switch from dappled monochrome for the movie scenes to glorious Technicolor of the ‘real life’ ones and as Stone and Stine do battle there’s an accompanying battle of chiaroscuro! Finally, the only thing more glamorous than the femmes fatales on display here are the costumes Jones created for them. Go and wallow.

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The Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zedel, 20 Sherwood St, London W1F 7ED Closed January 24, 2015 Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell

Brent Barrett: Life Is

– The Songs of Kander and Ebb B

roadway star Brent Barrett returned to Crazy Coqs to premiere a new show where he celebrates the 50 year partnership of composer John Kander and his lyricist, the late, Fred Ebb. Barrett, with his matinee–idol good looks, is steeped in Kander and Ebb’s work having played Billy Flynn in the Broadway revival of Chicago on and off for the past 16 years. He’s also starred on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun, Grand Hotel, West Side Story and Candide, did two years as the Phantom in Las Vegas and won an Olivier award here, as well as great acclaim, in Kiss Me Kate. This show follows on from his 1999 CD of their music which he recorded with Mr Kander himself on the piano. Here he gave us songs from Zorba, Cabaret, Steel Pier, Scottsboro Boys, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink, Flora the Red Menace and Over and Over. He then brings us bang up to date with songs from The Visit, written in 2001 but only getting its Broadway premiere later year with Chita Rivera. That show is based on Dürrenmatt’s dark revenge tragedy. As

Barrett pointed out, Kander and Ebb have never been shy of dark subjects: the rise of Nazism in Cabaret, the imprisonment of gays and dissidents in South America in Kiss of the Spider Woman, murder and corruption in Chicago or the ‘hanging court’ faced by 9 black teenagers falsely accused of rape in 1930s Alabama in The Scottsboro Boys. Balancing the light and the dark while delivering incredibly catchy tunes is their signature achievement. Barrett has a real affinity with their work and his informed perspective made this well–judged and perfectly polished show very special. Piano accompaniment from Christopher Denny was also top notch. Barrett is a true devotee of theirs, one who was lucky enough to also become a friend. He shares Kansas roots with Kander and was funny about the brash New Yorker, Ebb, giving him advice on how to put over one of their songs. He phones him up the morning after a concert where he sang ‘The Skin of Our Teeth’ from Over and Over, worried about how a song went down and chides him: “I could have given you

some hand gestures!” Barrett’s voice is the perfect instrument for musical theater and it has gotten darker and better with age. A rich, yet light, baritone he can effortlessly move from a belter like ‘Willkommen’ or ‘New York New York’ to a tender and poignant interpretation of ‘My Colouring Book’ (a Streisand classic) or ‘A Quiet Thing’ (written for Liza Minnelli) both of which would just break your heart He has a great actor’s instinct for how to interpret a lyric and the vocal equipment to deliver it but, most importantly, he has something you can’t be taught, good taste. He has exquisite restraint, often an undiscovered country for musical theater singers trying out in cabaret rooms. Medleys, a personal bete noire of mine, were even redeemed with his interpretation of three songs from the show The Happy Time (‘Walking Among My Yesterdays’/’The Happy Times’/ ‘Seeing Things’). The lead part in that show calls for a suave, cosmopolitan, mature, gentleman. Barrett dropped a heavy hint that he’d be perfect casting for a revival. I agree.

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Return To The Forbidden Planet PHOTOS ©NOBBY CLARK

UK Tour, to May 9 www.ForbiddenPlanetReturns.com Reviewed by Darren Weale

hen the sci-fi movie Forbidden Planet played on American cinema screens in 1956, it lost money and Robby, the film’s expensive, chunky, barrel-shaped robot went on to take roles in other productions where a mechanised extra was needed. Yet the movie lodged in the mind of an up and coming British theatrical director, Bob Carlton, who was inspired to combine the movie, lines from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and 1950s and 1960s Rock ‘n’ Roll music into a new stage musical. Thus, twenty five years ago, Return To The Forbidden Planet was born. After a debut in a tent, it went on to take London’s West End by storm and to gather in a prestigious Olivier Award for Best Musical. Now it is back for a historic anniversary tour. (We saw it at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford.) This musical has it all. Highlights include some of the greatest music ever (played live by instrumentswapping cast members), a bug-

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Left: Mark Newnham as Cookie and Greg Last as Navigation Officer Right: Joseph Mann as Ariel

eyed monster, dancing and inspired choreography, romance, treachery and tragedy, American accents, and a Dan Dare-like spaceship captain (the ultimate British boys’ hero of the 1950s) - all stern nobility, jutting jaw and (unlit) pipe. Plus science, mind-bending drugs, kidnap and rayguns which look like hair dryers. Then there is that robot, Ariel. The star of the show and the finest rolling coke-can on the planet. The production is family-friendly, as I found when sitting next to a thirteen year old girl who had seen a production a couple of years before and who loved it both times. The plot takes the theater-goer onto Interplanetary Flight Number Nine, and once the crew have greeted us, the passengers, and the new, enigmatic Science Officer (Christine Holman) is introduced, the ship takes off into space, to the powerful beat of the Surfaris’ ‘Wipe Out’, played live by the eleven strong cast. Little time passes

before a meteor storm means a forced landing on a convenient, but uncharted, planet, where the company is joined by Earth-exiled scientist Dr Prospero (Jonathan Markwood) and his innocent young daughter, Miranda (Sarah Scowen), plus their robot, Ariel (Joseph Mann). Miranda soon becomes part of a love triangle, and this sets off a series of unfortunate events in which the very existence of the cast, the planet, and the audience, if they cannot reverse the polarity of the Klystron Generator, is imperilled. Captain Tempest (Sean Needham), the Science Officer and the guitartoting Cookie (Mark Newnham), lead the audience through the ensuing plot and songs such as ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’, ‘Young Girl’, and ‘Born To Be Wild’ with aplomb. Return To The Forbidden Planet is a truly great show and one with plenty of American inspiration. Don’t miss it.

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2015: Back

ToThe Future With(or Without) Hillary 2

015 looks to be a big year according to the relevant movies, says Alison Holmes. The first permanent colony will be established on the moon (Event Horizon, 1997), involuntary cloning will be standard practice (The 6th Day, 2000) and Marty McFly will try to perfect time travel without getting caught - again (Back to the Future III, 1990). In events that only sound like fiction, Lithuania will join the Euro, the first ever European Games will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Asia will try to create its own Union fashioned after Europe - interestingly just at the point many might suggest that is not such a good idea. In the place where science fiction meets reality we can expect a total solar eclipse shortly before NASA’s spacecraft Dawn makes it to Ceres while New Horizons will make an outer space ‘fly-by’ of Pluto and Charon and shortly thereafter leave the solar system entirely. Finally, in the transatlantic world, always a combination of the real

and surreal, both the United States and the United Kingdom may find themselves cracking along the fault lines of their self-created identities. In the UK, just as Elizabeth surpasses Victoria as the longest serving monarch, the General Election and the EU referendum that may follow are likely to unhinge these hitherto united kingdoms from at least two unions - that found under the throne and the cohabitation with their European neighbors - as nationalism rears its ugly head. Meanwhile, the US will be speaking and thinking of little else than the runners and riders of the 2016 election cycle, many of whom will doubtless deploy potentially dangerous strategies to split an already divided and increasingly violent public along lines of race and justice to pursue their electoral ends.

Hillary’s hardest choice

In the midst of this simultaneously fanciful and explosive concoction, it is particularly interesting to note the thoughts and reflections of one

Hillary Clinton. She offers an impressive list of ‘Formers’, from First Lady of both the State House and the White House, to Senator and most recently Secretary of State. However, and perhaps taking her husband’s campaign theme of ‘Don’t Stop’ a bit too far, she is still decidedly undecided on the self-professed ‘hard choice’ of running for President. Thus, for those looking for a firm answer - or even a hint - on that score, reading her latest memoir, Hard Choices, will be in vain. Clinton’s survey of her years as the Diplomat-in-chief is at once surprising and entertaining, chock full of the witty anecdotes and insightful observations one should expect from a person with her pedigree, but at the same time ‘mumsy’ and predictable. Not willing to commit to an answer on the ‘big question’ (even after nearly 700 pages of text and 100 pages of photographs) it lacks the honest-edged voice available only to politicians who have truly decided their day is over. She relies heavily on a tone of ‘so what

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NASA spacecraft New Horizons approaching Pluto IMAGE COURTESY NASA

did we learn here boys and girls?’ complete with pat conclusions at the end of each chapter. It is also a book written a bit too consciously for the benefit of the focus group gallery. Aware of previous epithets and, at times, cruel characterizations of Clinton’s politics, approach, person and bloody hair style she regularly plays a number of key message cards. The ‘most experienced’ card comes out most often in the form of ‘when I first met so-and-so as First Lady we stayed in touch’ stories, while the ‘dedicated to domestic issues (and particularly patriotic to the US in the aftermath of 9/11)’ message is demonstrated through tales of her time as Senator. The counter to the ‘bitchy boss of Pennsylvania Avenue’ becomes a confetti of mentions about her staff and how much she loves and relies on them and even the now decades old ‘can’t bake/won’t bake cookies’ taunt is fended off with constant and unblushingly slushy bleats and boasts about motherhood and Chelsea - apparently the only child

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in history to manage to grow up so well. In contrast, the inevitable ‘why did you stay with him’ is handled in a much more restrained way with simple, but persistent, mentions of ‘my best friend and husband, Bill’. It is perhaps unfair to ask someone in the political fishbowl to write an honest memoir. There is too much at stake, certainly too much for someone who may yet need all the target voters, demographic hits and key constituencies she can get. On the other hand, given her stature, intelligence and sheer staying power, Hillary is one person who could have written a truly heart-felt, but equally hard-hitting version of ‘soft power’ in action. Thus it seems the real story of the book must be read between the lines. ‘Living History’ is clearly intensely painful in a way that perhaps few of us would ever understand. A burden shared is a burden halved, but humiliation shared (with the entire population of the world) is not halved, but amplified. Throughout all of her careers - the

ones she had following her husband (if Hillary could ever be said to ‘follow’) and those she made for herself on her own terms - Hillary has risen to the challenges set before her. She never tries to deny that she has stumbled, but is rightly proud that the rise has been steady even if not meteoric. However, her deep desire and even visceral need for public service - surely a line of enquiry for psychologists of world leaders to investigate - now faces the choice of being the elder stateswoman or the fighting candidate.

A wait could be too late

As she continues to ponder that choice, there is a danger that she will wait so long to finally be the one who is feted and begged to step into the race (a courtship that may not come) that she effectively sucks all of the oxygen out of the political space that other/younger candidates would need. Democrats have a dismal reputation for wounding each other in the primaries, to the point they are fatally hobbled for

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speak together sitting at a picnic table April 9, 2009, on the South Lawn of the White House. PHOTO © PETE SOUZA, COURTESY OF THE WHITE HOUSE

the final race. Clinton is in the position that she may hobble the other runners simply by not declaring her hand until it is too late. Her book may portray her decision as being on a finer edge than it is behind the scenes, but whatever that debate, one thing is clear: she keenly desires recognition for her personal accomplishments and will seek to play the role of kingmaker even if she doesn’t ultimately seek the job of king. The question all such fervent public servants must answer is: how far she is willing to potentially endanger her cause to further her legacy. 2015 is ripe with potential for both disaster and discovery and with not only another Clinton but another Bush possibly entering the presidential fray, there is more ‘Back to the Future’ than one might expect. Perhaps this time we will

master, if not time travel, at least political progress. Keep your eyes open for Marty McFly. Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton is published in New York by Simon & Shuster. Hardback, 656 pages. $35.00. ISBN 1476751447 Dr. Alison Holmes is Asst. Professor of International Studies and Politics at Humboldt State University, CA. She lived in the UK for over 20 years and worked at the BBC, ran BritishAmerican Business in London and was speechwriter to the US Ambassador. A PhD in International Relations from the LSE, she has been an Associate Fellow at the Rothermere American Institute at Oxford, a Churchill Memorial Trust History Fellow and the Transatlantic Studies Fellow at Yale.

Ready for Hillary?

For a more nuanced, alternative, transatlantic view of the woman who may become the first female US President, Robin Renwick (Lord Renwick of Clifton, a former British Ambassador to the United States) has written a portrait of the former First Lady. Relatively short at 256 pages it manages to combine a compact political biography (is there any other kind with Hillary?) with conjecture as to whether she will run in 2016 and what sort of President she might be. The question mark in the title is not so much whether you, the American voter, are Ready for Hillary, but whether the USA itself is. Ready for Hillary? is published in London by Biteback Publishing. Hardback, 256 pages. £17.99 ISBN 1476751447

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NFL Honors: On The MVP Red Carpet The night before Super Bowl XLIX, the National Football League held its annual awards Aaron Rodgers QB ceremony – The NFL Honors. Gary Jordan reports. PHOTO COURTESY GREEN BAY PACKERS

he handing out of the league’s Most Valuable Player gongs has become so big that it now demands its own lavish Red Carpet event that is something akin to the Academy Awards. It wasn’t too long ago that the written press would just hand in their vote and the Commissioner would make the announcement, have a firm handshake with the recipients and after a few quotes for selected media it would be over before it had begun. The 2014 season has been full of drama and closely fought throughout, right until the final 30 seconds of the title game. Outstanding team efforts are of course induced by remarkable individual efforts. To be the MVP is a culmination of a player’s hard work and sacrifice to be a better player for himself and of course to help his team to be the best they can be. In some cases that isn’t the team that achieves the ultimate goal of lifting the Lombardi Trophy, and in fact of the four main award winners, only one made it as far as a Conference title game.

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So it’s only fitting that we start with that one person...

LEAGUE MVP: Aaron Rodgers QB, Green Bay Packers

Consistency is the keyword that comes up when you look at Rodgers play. He performs at a high level week in and out. The Packers would clearly not be a playoff contender over the last few years if he wasn’t their quarterback. He leads by example, playing with a torn calf for the business end of the season is testament to that, and his teammates react to it. He’s not the most mobile of players in his position but has an uncanny knack of evading trouble by reading the game so well. In 2014 he completed 65% of his pass attempts for over 4,300 yards. He was intercepted only five times, compared to passing for 38 touchdowns. He led the Packers to the NFC title game, where only some conservative play calling kept them from a trip to the Super Bowl in an overtime loss in Seattle.

DEFENSIVE MVP: JJ Watt DE, Houston Texans

If you were fortunate enough to start a new franchise from scratch, and could choose any one player from another team to build yours around, the chances are you would pick JJ Watt. He has always been a constant threat for opposing offenses, but took that to a whole new level in 2014. The fourth year player from Wisconsin had the best individual year by a defensive player ever, and when you consider all the great players that have graced the game, that truly is a statement. He was many people’s favorite to win the overall league MVP, he was that dominant. With 78 tackles and 20.5 sacks he was more in the offense backfield than some of their own players. He forced 4 fumbles and had one interception which he returned 80 yards for a touchdown. That’s not all though, he is now a weapon on his own team’s offense, scoring three times on that side of the ball.

OFFENSIVE MVP: DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys The first three seasons of his Cowboys career were frustratingly cut short by injury, everyone knew Murray had talent but had yet to see the full extent of how far he could literally carry the ball. Dallas had the pieces in place and had arguably the best offensive line to help open up holes for the run game. This came to fruition as an injury-free Murray had his best ever season, helping his team to a division title and a decent run in the playoffs. Opening the season with a record setting 8 straight 100+ yards rushing games, ending the season with 12 in total. He was on target at that point to beat Eric Dickerson’s single season yards total. He did eventually fall short but ended up with the 17th best ever single season total of 1,845. He found the end zone 13 times, and was very much a key component of the Dallas team. He is now a free agent and if the Cowboys cannot find a way to keep hold of him, another team will be reaping the rewards of his bruising running style.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals

Since Arians took over the reins at Arizona, the Cardinals have become a very well-rounded football team that deserves respect. In just his second year in charge, the first a 10–6 year that missed the playoffs, he guided his men into the postseason with an 11–5 record. The tail end of the season was difficult considering most of the work was done with a third string quarterback. There is no doubt Arians has that winning mentality and it’s clearly rubbing off onto his roster.

DeMarco Murray of The Dallas Cowboys PHOTO ©GARY BAKER FOR THE AMERICAN

Ot her notable awards went to

Odell Beckham Jr., the star wide receiver of the New York Giants. He deservedly won Offensive Rookie of the Year following many highlight reel catches, including the play of the year, a gravity defying one handed circus act grab for a touchdown against Dallas. The Defensive Rookie of the Year award went to St.Louis Rams, Aaron Donald. The

defensive tackle started 12 games and had 48 tackles, and recorded 9 sacks, as well as forcing 2 fumbles. Rob Gronkowski, the larger-thanlife New England Patriots tight end secured the Comeback Player of the Year. After struggling through some severe injuries the last two seasons, Gronk roared back onto the scene this season with 82 catches, 12 of those going for touchdowns.

JJ Watt of the Houston Texans PHOTO ©MIKE WELSCH, COURTESY HOUSTON TEXANS

Bobby Lashley Josh Modaberi meets two TNA superstars - American and British

ormer WWE and current TNA star Bobby Lashley’s background in amateur wrestling has helped him to excel in the mixed martial arts (MMA) world with Bellator. In TNA’s seventh annual Maximum Impact Tour of the UK, in Glasgow, Manchester and London, Lashley is the main man as the current TNA Heavyweight champion. Lashley has fond memories of performing in the UK with the WWE but this is his first time across the pond with TNA. He is looking forward to it. “The UK crowds aren’t spoiled,” the grappler from Junction City, KA, says. “In the US we’re spoilt, we can watch a wrestling show every night of the week. UK fans watch us on TV all the time, then when we come over once or twice a year they are ready. We’ve had some time off, so we’ve been getting ready for the fans as well. “I’m so excited about performing in front of packed houses and I know everyone who is part of this tour is looking to performing at their best and giving it their all. You’re going to see three amazing shows, the energy level from the crowd and the energy we’re going to bring to the table, it’s going to be electric.” This is Lashley’s second spell with TNA and he feels he has improved leaps and bounds since his first stint with the Nashville based company. “As a professional wrestler I feel I’ve progressed,” he said. “The Bobby Lashley that is here today would look back at the Bobby Lashley of yesterday and say you need to go back down to developmental for a little bit and learn some stuff.

50 March 2015

“I took some time to do some Indy work and I really prepared myself well by working with some good guys. My work rate has gone up dramatically, some of the matches I’ve had since I’ve been back with TNA have been amazing, against the likes of Bobby Roode, Eric Young, and Jeff Hardy. “I just want to keep proving to the crowd that there is a different element to me than what they saw before when I was just a big guy, I’ve got so much more to my arsenal.” TNA has this year seen the biggest change in the company’s history moving from their previous home on Spike TV to Destination America but it is a move that the TNA Champion thinks will benefit both parties. “Destination America is a great platform for TNA to be on,” Lashley continued. “At TNA we’re still building, Destination America is a small channel and is building. They’re really on our side, they’ve got our backs big time and I’m really excited about that. I think they’re going to really start doing some big things for us, they want everybody on their channel to be a star, so if they need to use one of their other shows to help us they will do it.” A number of professional wrestlers have made the jump from wrestling over to the world of MMA including the likes of Batista and Brock Lesnar. Lashley has also made the jump but is doing both simultaneously and he has big plans. “It’s very hard doing both the wrestling and MMA at the same time,” the 38–year–old explained. “The one thing I don’t do is sleep because there is so much work involved.

“I had a debate with someone in pro wrestling because they said something negative about my MMA career but I told him I’m representing you guys - wrestling is one genre that hasn’t tasken off in MMA. “In MMA circles they have the perception that wrestling is fake, so when I’m in an MMA cage I’m representing professional wrestlers. Right now I’m building a legacy that I don’t think anyone else will be able to do, to fight and pro wrestle at the same time, by the end of this year I’m looking to hold both the TNA Heavyweight title and Bellator Heavyweight title.” The latest professional wrestler to make the jump over to MMA is former WWE Champion CM Punk who has signed a deal with UFC and Lashley feels Punk will be a success in the Octagon: “You can’t be successful at just one thing,” he said. “Punk was extremely successful at wrestling and when you’re successful at one thing you learn the motto: hard work. When Punk came to professional wrestling he didn’t fit the model, he don’t look like me or Brock Lesnar, but he broke every barrier to make it to the top. “Punk in my opinion has been the biggest thing to happen to the wrestling industry in the last 20 years. He will use the same model that he used in wrestling and he will take that over to fighting, I know he’s training with some people and he is having a great camp right now and he is going to prove a lot of people wrong. “Nobody cares if Punk wins or loses, I care how he is going to show out there and he will earn a lot of respect from people. I’m excited to see when he fights, I’ll be watching along with the other two or three million people that are going to buy the PPV and he’s going to shatter records.”

Grado G

rado first rose to fame when Vice released a documentary about him, The British Wrestler, in 2012. Since then the Scottish grappler, real name Graeme Stevely, has gone on to become one of Britain’s favorite wrestlers and has featured in two BBC documentaries, Insane Fight Club, and he was a contestant on the second series of TNA’s British Bootcamp. Growing up in Scotland, where did Grado’s passion for wrestling come from? “I first got into wrestling when I was 11–years old, which is quite late,” the 26–year–old explained. “Most people start coming away from wrestling at that age.” As soon as I saw The Rock with his catchphrases and music, I became obsessed and from then on I just became obsessed with everything to do with wrestling. I used to get wrestling tapes sent over from all across the world, America, Japan, Germany, and I still get tapes sent over today, I’m just obsessed with wrestling.” Grado feels the exposure from being featured in documentaries like The British Wrestler and Insane Fight Club has been a massive positive to his career. “It was brilliant being featured on The British Wrestler because there are a lot of people that never knew wrestling was happening in the UK, they thought it was just American wrestling like WWE and TNA,” he continued. “With things like The British Wrestler and Insane Fight Club it gives

The American

people a chance to see there is British wrestling out there. The best thing that people can say to me is that I got them back into wrestling after they have stopped watching it for a while because they have seen me on TV and they like what I do.” Having appeared on the second series of TNA’s British Bootcamp, the Scottish star is thankful for the opportunity he was given, but he didn’t see eye–eye with all of the judges. “During the process I became really good friends with Gail Kim,” the Ayrshire grappler said. “She has given me some great advice and she gave me lots of great tips of what to do and what not to do, how to carry myself and not carry myself. Samoa Joe was really good as well to that extent, anytime I needed any advice he was there for me and was happy to answer my questions. “Al Snow was a little bit different to deal with but you kind of expect that from Al because he is more old school, so he sees these YouTube generation of wrestlers and looks down on them, but we have paid our dues just as much as other wrestlers, hopefully I will get on his good side one day.”

IMAGE COURTESY WINTERFIELD GOLF CLUB

The American

Is Golf Dying? Let’s Hope So! Darren Kilfara suggests a U-Turn for golf clubs may revive the sport

he other week I was invited by an acquaintance to play golf at Whitekirk, a relatively new and hilly course several miles from the East Lothian coastline in the east of central Scotland. Unfortunately I’d misheard his invitation and instead waited more than half an hour for him at Winterfield, an older and much shorter course by the sea in my own town of Dunbar. By the time I realized my mistake, it was too late to meet up, although in truth I didn’t mind: the air was cold and the wind was howling, and the older I get, the less inclined I am toward golfing masochism.

52 March 2015

I’ve been to Whitekirk many times. I won an open competition there several years ago, and I like taking my kids for hits and giggles at its practice range. Its restaurant does a good carvery lunch on Sundays, and its large clubhouse also contains a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art gym. But I rarely see many people there: let’s just say memberships and tee times at Whitekirk are both freely available. And whenever I hear stories that golf is becoming less popular and the golf industry is in trouble, Whitekirk is one of the first places I think about.

Tales of golf’s decline are becoming increasingly commonplace – one recent data point being a report by Sport England that the number of regular golfers between the ages of 16 and 25 in England dropped by nearly 50% between 2009-10 and 2012-13. Suggested reasons for this include the increasing cost of the game, the amount of time it takes to play 18 holes, and even the waning status of Tiger Woods. The rise of activities like Topgolf and Footgolf indicate that people still like hitting balls with sticks and wandering purposely through nature with a scorecard

Footgolf kicked oﬀ in the Netherlands in 2009 and is now played in 17 countries including the UK. The new sports craze arrived in France in 2013, where there are now eight courses to play a 9-hole or 18-hole game, and they start playing internationally this year. Pictured are some of the national team, Footgolf Team France

and pencil, but both at the same time? Maybe not so much. None of this bothers me. Market forces should work against difficult, gorse-lined, hard-to-walk courses on iffy soil with overly expansive clubhouses like Whitekirk. If clubs are forced to save money by not over-watering their courses, moving away from the lush and green Augusta-centric model toward browner, firmer and more natural conditions, that’s a good thing. If fewer people deign to play the game while these natural corrections begin to take effect, well, that means more tee times, faster rounds and better deals should be available for the rest of us. What golf needs is more courses like Winterfield. Its par is 65, its

maximum length is just over 5,000 yards, and even if most of its front nine is pancake flat, its back nine has enough lovely views and interesting holes to un-spoil your walk. It lets you make birdies, but its small greens are easy to miss, and because the average golfer spends much more time reading putts than analyzing chips and pitches, small greens make the pace of play that much faster. Too many venerable clubs lengthen and toughen their courses to keep up with some mythical, platonic ideal that real golf courses should be more than 7,000 yards and must be more than 6,000 yards. Hogwash: the steady stream of regulars I saw that morning trooping through the Winterfield car

park, into and out of the ramshackle clubhouse and onto the first tee to brave the elements proves that. I hope my kids become golfers like me some day, and courses like Winterfield – not courses like Whitekirk – make that much more likely.

Darren Kilfara formerly worked for Golf Digest magazine and is the author of A Golfer’s Education, a memoir of his junior year abroad as a student-golfer at the University of St. Andrews. His latest book, a novel called Do You Want Total War?, is also now available online at Amazon and elsewhere.

March 2015 53

The American

HaasF1 crosses the Pond

PHOTO © HILLSIDEGUESTHOUSESILVERSTONE.CO.UK

By Daniel M Byway

014 wasn’t one of Formula One’s finest years, from a business perspective at least. Two teams, Caterham F1 and Marussia, both folded under financial pressures. As we go to press, there are still rumors that Marussia, under its original name of Manor F1, may be able to overcome regulatory and financial hurdles to make a remarkable return to the grid in 2015, but either way the cost of going racing is now firmly under the spotlight. At the same time, Gene Haas’ fledgling US outfit, Haas F1, is preparing for its scheduled entry into the sport in 2016. Coincidentally, Haas has reportedly purchased Marussia’s former factory in the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire, less than 17 miles from the British Grand Prix’s home at Silverstone. This is no surprise, as other For-

54 March 2015

mula One teams have bases nearby, including Mercedes in Brackley, Williams in Grove, and Force India right by the Silverstone circuit itself. What makes Haas’ arrangement interesting is that its Banbury base will work in conjunction with its home base in Kannapolis, North Carolina. A truly Transatlantic enterprise will no doubt have logistical implications. One of the regular complaints of the aborted USF1 project in 2010 was that its plans to base itself in North Carolina and house a secondary base in Europe would make it incredibly expensive to ship materials to and from both bases. Whilst the USF1 team never got off the ground, Gene Haas and his team are in a much better position to appreciate the financial cost of such an arrangement. Haas’ NASCAR team alone, run by Stewart Haas, will have to travel across the States for 36 races, from

Sonoma Raceway, California on the West Coast to Daytona, Florida on the East. Given you could fit Europe into the United States, and at present only 8 of 20 scheduled F1 races will take place in Europe in 2015, the challenge doesn’t seem as substantial as it first sounds. Haas also recently announced a technical partnership with Ferrari, which will see its F1 team use Ferrari engines in 2016. Whilst there is rightfully a focus on the cost of participating on Formula One at present, Haas F1 seems to be getting things right. By waiting until the 2016 season, Haas is giving his team time to develop and build solid foundations. From appearances, it seems the team is well on its way to the grid in 2016, and will be proudly representing the US in the UK and across the Formula One calendar this time next year.

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in Knightsbridge, Kensington and surrounding areas. For a limited period The American’s readers are invited to join online with this key: american2014. Membership is £10 per month. info@knightsbridge-village.com www.knightsbridge-village.com

Hampstead Women’s Club President - Betsy Lynch. Tel: 020 7435 2226 email president@hwcinlondon.co.uk www.hwcinlondon.co.uk High Twelve International, Inc. Arnold Page High Twelve Club 298 Secretary, Darrell C. Russell 01638 715764 russelld130@btinternet.com The Inter-Cultural Society of London Contact: Dr Kenneth Reed, 01753 892698, kjreed37@yahoo.co.uk ticsl.org Kensington & Chelsea Men’s Club John Rickus, 70 Flood St., Chelsea, London SW3 5TE. (home): 020 7349 0680 (office): 020 7753 2253 johnrickus@aol.com

Association of American Women of Aberdeen PO Box 11952, Westhill, Aberdeen, AB13 0BW email via website www.awaaberdeen.org

kcwc (was Kensington & Chelsea Women’s Club) President: Anna Groot, president@kcwc.org.uk Membership: potential@kcwc.org.uk www.kcwc.org.uk @kcwc_womensclub

British Association of American Square Dance Clubs Patricia Connett-Woodcock, 87 Brabazon Road,

Knightsbridge Village Private invitation-only network for discerning mothers

Petroleum Women’s Club of London www.pwc-london.co.uk Petroleum Women’s Club of Scotland pwcscotland@yahoo.co.uk www.pwcos.com Pilgrims of Great Britain Allington Castle, Maidstone, Kent M16 0NB. 01622 606404 sec@pilgrimsociety.org

Propeller Club of the United States – London, England propellerclubhq.com Royal Society of St George Enterprise House, 10 Church Hill, Loughton, Essex IG10 1LA. +44 (0) 20 3225 5011 info@royalsocietyofstgeorge.com www.royalsocietyofstgeorge.com Order of the Eastern Star #45 Washington Jurisdiction District #9, RAF Lakenheath sogb45@yahoo.com elizabeth.jackson.tripod.com/sogb St John’s Wood Women’s Club membership@sjwwc.org www.sjwwc.org Thames Valley American Women’s Club PO Box 1687, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8XT. 01628 632683 membership@tvawc.com www.tvawc.com UK Panhellenic Association Contact Susan Woolf, 10 Coniston Court, High St. Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex HA1 3LP. 020 8864 0294 susanrwoolf@hotmail.com Anglian Shrine Club Recorder/Secretary: Allan David Warnes “Koloma House”, Warren Avenue, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 8NP 01328 862001, 07860187333, VOIP 08714084364 Skype batman4499adw allan@allandavidwarnes.co.uk

March 2015 57

The American

Friends of the Eighth Newsletter (FOTE News) Chairman: Ron Mackay, 90 Elton Road, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 3NF, 01270 767669

www.anglianshrineclub.co.uk

W.E.B. DuBois Consistory #116 Northern Jurisdiction, Valley of London, England, Orient of Europe, Cell: 0776-873-8030 mjack36480@aol.com

MILITARY 290 Foundation (UK Confederate Navy memorial) Ian Dewar, President, 2 Thompson Drive, Middleton on the Wolds, East Riding, Yorkshire YO25 9TX 01377 217 442 290admin@onetel.com sites.google.com/site/290foundation

AFJROTC 073 Lakenheath High School. Tel: 01638 525603 Air Force Sergeants Association UK POC Timothy W. Litherland CMSgt, USAF (ret). Chapters at RAFs Alconbury, Croughton, Lakenheath, Menwith Hill and Mildenhall. timothy.litherland@outlook.com www.hqafsa.org American Legion London Post 1 Adjutant: Christopher Shea, 10 Ivel Bridge Road, Biggleswade, Befordshire SG18 0AB 07501-062-882 info@amlegionpost1london.org.uk www.amlegionpost1london.org.uk

Brookwood American Cemetery The American Battle Monuments Commission Superintendant: Craig Rahanian. 01483 473237 Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0BL www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/ brookwood-american-cemetery

Eighth Air Force Historical Society Gordon Richards/Michelle Strefford UK Office, The Croft, 26 Chapelwent Road, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 9SD, 01440 704014 www.8thafhs.org

58 March 2015

USNA Alumni Association UK Chapter Pres: LCDR Tim Fox ’97, timfox97@hotmail.com Vice Pres: Miguel Sierra ’90, mrsierra@chevron.com M’ship: Bart O’Brien ’98, bartonobrien2@yahoo.com Secretary: Matt Horan ’87, matthoran@btinternet.com

Marine Corps League Detachment 1088, London, England. Commandant Mike Allen, Creek Cottage, 2 Pednormead End, Old Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 2JS detachment1088@mcl-london-uk.org www.mcl-london-uk.org

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Commander: Ernest Paolucci, 00 33 (0)1.42.50.96.34 24, rue Gerbert, 75015 Paris, France Western UK Retiree Association President: R. Jim Barber, MSgt (USAF), Ret 01280 708182

EDUCATIONAL

Navy League of the United States, United Kingdom Council Council President: Steven G. Franck steven.franck@googlemail.com www.navyleague.org

ACS International Schools ACS Cobham International School, Heywood, www.acs-england.co.uk AFJROTC 20021 Principal.AlconburyHS@eu.dodea.edu Alconbury Middle/High School RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE17 1PJ, UK. www.alco-hs.eu.dodea.edu AlconburyHS.Principal@eu.dodea.edu

Society of American Military Engineers (UK) UK address: Box 763, USAFE Construction Directorate: 86 Blenheim Crescent, West Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 7HL London Post. President: W. Allan Clarke. Secretary: Capt. Gary Chesley. Membership Chairman, Mr. Jim Bizier.

British Patton Historical Society Kenn Oultram 01606 891303

US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) UK Chapter President: Allison Bennett, bennett.ac@gmail.com Facebook: Kings Point Alumni - London/United Kingdom

Joint RAF Mildenhall/Lakenheath Retiree Affairs Office Co-Directors Dick Good & Jack Kramer Unit 8965, Box 30, RAF Mildenhall, Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, IP28 8NF 01638 542039 rao1@us.af.mil

Reserve Officers Association London Col. B.V. Balch, USAR, 72 Westmoreland Road, Barnes, London SW13 9RY memberservices@roa.org www.roa.org

Bentwaters/Woodbridge Retirees’ Association President: Wylie Moore. 2 Coldfair Close, Knodishall, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1UN. 01728 830281

Commander in Chief, US Naval Forces Europe US Naval Forces Europe-Africa - US Sixth Fleet www.c6f.navy.mil, CNE-C6FPAO@eu.navy.mil

Military Officers’ Association of America www.moaa.org msc@moaa.org

American Overseas Memorial Day Association To remember and honor the memory of those who gave their lives in World War I and II, whose final resting places are in Europe. info@aomda.com, aomda.com

Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge The American Battle Monuments Commission Madingley Road, Coton, Cambridge CB23 7PH 01954-210350 www.madingleyamericancemetery.info damian.lappin@madingleyamericancemetery.info

Joint RAF Alconbury/Molesworth Retiree Affairs Office 423, ABG/RAO, Unit 5623, RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambs., PE28 4DE, rao@alconbury.af.mil 01480 843364 (Tues only 10:30-14:30)

Director: Paul G Gumbert, CMSgt (USAF), Ret 422 ABG/CVR, Unit 5855, PSC 50, Box 3 RAF Croughton, Northants NN13 5XP 01280 708182 422abg.rao@croughton.af.mil

American Institute for Foreign Study 37 Queensgate, London SW7 5HR 020 7581 7300, www.aifs.co.uk info@aifs.co.uk

US Army Reserve 2nd Hospital Center 7 Lynton Close, Ely, Cambs, CB6 1DJ. Tel: 01353 2168 Commander: Major Glenda Day.

American School in London 1 Waverley Place, London NW8 0NP 020 7449 1200, www.asl.org admissions@asl.org

US Air Force Recruiting Office Bldg 239 Room 139, RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 8NF 01638-54-4942/1566 phillip.guffa@mildenhall.af.mil

American School of Aberdeen Craigton Road, Cults, Aberdeen. 01224 861068 / 868927.

Retired Affairs Office, RAF Alconbury Serving Central England POC: Rex Keegan Alt. POC: Mike Depasquale 423 SVS/RAO, Unit 5585, Box 100, RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 4DA. 01480 84 3364/3557 Office Hours: Tuesday and Friday, 10:30am–2:30pm RAO@Alconbury.af.mil. Emergency no. 07986 887905

Benjamin Franklin House 36 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NF. Tel 020 7839 2006 info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

2nd Air Division Memorial Library The Forum, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1AW 01603 774747 www.2ndair.org.uk 2admemorial.lib@norfolk.gov.uk USAF Retiree Activities Office

Boston University – London Graduate Programs Office 43 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4JU. 020 7244 6255, www.bu.edu/london British American Educational Foundation Mrs. Carlton Colcord, 1 More’s Garden, 90 Cheyne Walk, London SW3. 020 7352 8288 www.baef.org, anncolcord@compuserve.com

The American

BUNAC Student Exchange Employment Program - Director: Callum Kennedy, 16 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0QH. 020 7251 3472 www.bunac.org enquiries@bunac.org.uk Butler University, Institute for Study Abroad 21 Pembridge Gardens, London W2 4EB 020 7792 8751 www.ifsa-butler.org/england-overview.html Centre Academy London 92 St John’s Hill, Battersea, London SW11 1SH Tel: 02077382344, info@centreacademy.net www.centreacademy.net Centre Academy East Anglia Church Rd, Brettenham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7 7QR Tel: 01449736404 admin@centreacademy.net www.centreacademy.net Central Bureau for Educational Visits Director: Peter Upton, The British Council , 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN, 020 7389 4004. Wales 029 2039 7346. Scotland 0131 447 8024. centralbureau@britishcouncil.org Council on International Educational Exchange Dr. Michael Woolf, 52 Portland Street, London WIV 1JQ Tel 020 7478 2000 www.ciee.org contact@ciee.org Ditchley Foundation Ditchley Park, Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 4ER Tel 01608 677346 www.ditchley.co.uk info@ditchley.co.uk Dwight School London Formerly North London International School 6 Friem Barnet Lane, London N11 3LX 020 8920 0600 vrose@dwightlondon.org www.dwightlondon.org European Council of International Schools Executive Director: Jean K Vahey Fourth Floor, 146 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TR 020 7824 7040 www.ecis.org ecis@ecis.org European-Atlantic Group PO Box 37431, London N3 2XP 020 8632 9253 justinglass@btinternet.com www.eag.org.uk Florida State University London Study Centre Administrative Director: Kathleen Paul 99 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LH. 020 7813 3233 intprog1@admin.fsu.edu www.international.fsu.edu/london Fordham University London Centre Academic Coordinator: Sabina Antal 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HQ 020 7937 5023 londoncentre@fordham.edu www.fordham.edu Fulbright (US-UK Educational) Commission

Dir. of Advisory Service: Lauren Welch Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling Street, London SW8 5BN 020 7498 4010 www.fulbright.co.uk

Royal Waterloo House, 51-55 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TX. Tel. 020 7928 1372 www.schillerlondon.ac.uk admissions@schillerlondon.ac.uk

Halcyon London International School Co-educational International Baccalaureate (IB). 33 Seymour Place, London W1H 5AU +44 (0)20 7258 1169 , hello@halcyonschool.com halcyonschool.com

Schiller International, Wickham Court School Layhams Road, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9HW. Tel 0208 777 2942, Wickham@schillerintschool.com www.wickhamcourt.org.uk

Harlaxton College UK Campus, University of Evansville, Harlaxton Manor, Grantham, Lincs. NG32 1AG. 01476 403000 harlaxton.ac.uk. Huron University USA in London 46-47 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4JP Tel +44 (0) 20 7636 5667 folu@huron.ac.uk www.huron.ac.uk Institute for the Study of the Americas Director: Professor James Dunkerley. Tel 020 7862 8879 americas@sas.ac.uk www.americas.sas.ac.uk International School of Aberdeen 296 North Deeside Rd, Milltimber, Aberdeen, AB13 0AB 01224 732267 admin@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk www.isa.aberdeen.sch.uk International School of London 139 Gunnersbury Avenue, London W3 8LG. 020 8992 5823, mail@ISLschools.org www.islschools.org International School of London in Surrey Old Woking Road, Woking GU22 8HY, 01483 750409, www.islsurrey.com mail@islsurrey.com Ithaca College London Centre 35 Harrington Gardens, London SW7. Tel. 020 7370 1166 www.ithaca.edu/london bsheasgreen@ithacalondon.co.uk Marymount International School, London Headmistress: Ms Sarah Gallagher George Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7PE 020 8949 0571 info@marymountlondon.com www.marymountlondon.com Missouri London Study Abroad Program 32 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4JU. 020 7373 7953. web_office@umsl.edu www.umsl.edu/services/cis/ Regent’s University London Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NS. 020 7486 9605. www.regents.ac.uk exrel@regents.ac.uk Richmond, The American International University in London Queen’s Road, Richmond-upon Thames TW10 6JP Tel: +44 20 8332 9000, enroll@richmond.ac.uk www.richmond.ac.uk Schiller International University

Sotheby’s Institute of Art Postgraduate Art studies, plus day /evening courses 30 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3EE Tel: 0207 462 3232, info@sothebysinstitute.com www.sothebysinstitute.com Southbank International Schools Kensington and Hampstead for 3-11 year olds; Westminster campuses for 11-18 year olds. 020 7243 3803, admissions@southbank.org www.southbank.org Syracuse University London Program Faraday House, 48-51 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AE, sulondon.syr.edu TASIS England, American School Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Nr. Egham, Surrey TW20 8TE. 01932 565252, england.tasis.com ukadmissions@tasisengland.org UKCISA - Council for International Education 9-17 St. Albans Place, London N1 0NX 020 7354 5210 www.ukcisa.org.uk University of Notre Dame London Program 1 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HG 020 7484 7811, london@nd.edu http://international.nd.edu/about/notre-dameglobal-gateways/london-global-gateway Warnborough University International Office, Friars House, London SE1 8HB. Tel 020 7922 1200 www.warnborough.edu admin@warnborough.edu Webster Graduate Studies Center Regent’s College, Regent’s Park, Inner Circle, London NW1 4NS, UK. 020 7487 7505, webster@regents.ac.uk www.webster.ac.uk Wroxton College Study Abroad with Fairleigh Dickinson University, Wroxton, Nr. Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 6PX 01295 730551, www.fdu.edu admin@wroxton-college.ac.uk

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS Alliant International University (formerly United States International University) England Chapter Alumni Association Chapter President: Eric CK Chan chane@regents.ac.uk c/o Regents College London, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London, UK. www.alliant.edu

March 2015 59

The American

Amherst College Bob Reichert, RAreichert26b@aol.com Andover/Abbot Association of London Jeffrey Hedges â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;71, President 07968 513 631, hedgeslon@hotmail.com Association of MBAs Leo Stemp, Events Administrator Tel 020 7837 3375 (ext. 223), l.stemp@mba.org.uk Babson College Frank de Jongh Swemer, 020 7932 7514 babson.alumni@btinternet.com Barnard College Club Hiromi Stone, President. 0207 935 3981, barnardclubgb@yahoo.co.uk Berkeley Club of London Geoff Kertesz berkeleyclublondon@gmail.com http://international.berkeley.edu/LondonClub www.facebook.com groups/223876564344656/ www.linkedin.com/groups/Berkeley-ClubLondon-4186104 Boston College Alumni Club UK Craig Zematis, President +44 7717 878968 BCalumniclub@gmail.com www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/BTN/cpages/ chapters/home.jsp?chapter=41&org=BTN Boston University Alumni Association of the UK Will Straughn, Snr International Development Officer, University Development and Alumni Relations, 43 Harrington Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 4JU 020 7244 2908 020 7373 7411 bstraugh@bu.edu Brandeis Alumni Club of Great Britain Joan Bovarnick, President http://alumni.brandeis.edu office@alumni.brandeis.edu Brown University Club of the United Kingdom President: Tugba Erem. Communication: Patrick Attie Alumni Club & Liaison: Vanessa Van Hoof Brown Club UK, Box 57100, London, EC1P 1RB contact@brownuk.org www.brownuk.org Bryn Mawr Club Lady Quinton, President. Wendy Tiffin, Secretary/Treasurer, 52 Lansdowne Gardens, London SW8 2EF wendytif@ukgateway.net

Columbia University Club of London london@alumniclubs.columbia.edu www.alumniclubs.columbia.edu/london

MIT Club of Great Britain reenan@alum.mit.edu greatbritain.alumclub.mit.edu

Cornell Club of London nmt4@cornell.edu www.alumni.cornell.edu/orgs/int/London

Mount Holyoke Club of Britain mhcbritain@gmail.com sites.alumnae.mtholyoke.edu/wp/ukclub

Dartmouth College Club of London sandra.blacker@outlook.com, alumni.dartmouth.edu www.dartmouth.org

Notre Dame Club of London Hannah Gornik, Secretary: ND_Club_London@yahoo.co.uk

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Diana Bell, dbell_is@yahoo.co.ukwww.dkggb.org.uk

NYU Alumni Club in London Jodi Ekelchik, President alumni.london@nyu.edu alumni.nyu.edu

Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity London Alumni Chapter. Ashok Arora, P O Box 1110, London W3 7ZB 020 8423 8231, bertela@yahoo.com www.dspnet.org

NYU STERN UK Alumni Club www.stern.nyu.edu/portal-partners/alumni sternukalumniclub@hotmail.com fjrodrgo@yahoo.com

Delta Zeta International Sorority Alumna Club Sunny Eades 01543 490 312 SunnyEades@aol.com www.deltazeta.org

Ohio University Alumni UK & Ireland Frank Madden, 01753 855 360 frank@madant.demon.co.uk www.ohioalumni.org

Duke University Club of England rpalany@gmail.com, a.sagar@promemoriauk.com www.dukealumni.com/alumni-communities/ regional-programs/groups/london Emory University Alumni Chapter of the UK Matthew Williams, Chapter Leader 079 8451 4119, matthew.eric.williams@gmail.com www.alumni.emory.edu

Penn State Alumni Association pennstatelondon@gmail.com www.alumni.psu.edu

Georgetown Alumni Club Alexa Fernandez, GeorgetownLondon@Yahoo.com UKHoyas@gmail.com , alumni.georgetown.edu

The London Association of Phi Beta Kappa phibetakappalondon@gmail.com www.pbkldn.org www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=5117368 @phibetakappaldn

Gettysburg College Alumni London Britt-Karin Oliver, brittkarin@aol.com alumni@gettysburg.edu www.gettysburg.edu/alumni2

Princeton Association (UK) membership@princeton.org.uk princeton.org.uk

Harvard Business School Club of London admin@hbsa.org.uk www.hbsa.org.uk

Rice Alumni of London Kathy Wang 07912 560 177 a lumni.rice.edu kathyw@alumni.rice.edu, suzanne.boue@rice.edu

Harvard Club of the United Kingdom president@hcuk.org, membership@hcuk.org www.hcuk.org

Skidmore College Alumni Club, London alumni.affairs@skidmore.edu w ww.skidmore.edu/alumni www.facebook.com/SkidmoreCollegeAlumni

Indiana University Alumni club of England ukhoosiers@gmail.com www.alumni.indiana.edu/clubs/england

Claremont Colleges Alumni in London Hadley Beeman, hadley_beeman@alumni.cmc.edu

KKG London Alumnae Association londonalumni.kkg@gmail.com w ww.kappakappagamma.org

Colgate Club of London Stephen W Solomon â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;76, President 0207 349 0738 swsolomon@hotmail.com

LMU Loyola Marymount Alumni Club London Kent Jancarik, 07795 358 681 kent@jancarik.com, alumni@lmu.edu

Columbia Business School Alumni Club of London 6 Petersham Mews, London SW7 5NR www.cbsclublondon.org londonadmin@gsb.columbia.edu

Marymount University Alumni UK Chapter President: Mrs Suzanne Tapley, 35 Park Mansions, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7QT. 020 7581 3742 www.marymount.edu/alumni

60 March 2015

Penn Alumni Club of the UK w ww.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/UPN/cpages/ home.jsp?chapter=4&org=UPN pennalumniuk@gmail.com

Smith College Club of London smithclubgb@gmail.com www.smithclubgb.org Stanford Business School Alumni Assn. UK alumni@gsb.stanford.edu alumni-gsb.stanford.edu/get/page/groups/ overview/?group_id=0038990048

Syracuse University Alumni UK SUalumniUK@syr.edu sulondon.syr.edu/about/sualumniuk.html www.facebook.com/SUajlumniUK

The American

Texas Tech Alumni Association - London Chapter Scott Dewar 077754 35877 sdewar2@gmail.com www.texastechalumni.org/chapters Texas Exes UK (UKTE) England: Carra Kane 0778 660 7534 carrakane@alumni.utexas.net Scotland: Corey Cripe coreycripe@gmail.com www.fornogoodreason.com/UKTEMain.htm Texas A&M Club London london@aggienetwork.com www.aggienetwork.com/club-page/londn The John Adams Society johnadamssociety@gmail.com www.johnadamssociety.co.uk Tufts - London Tufts Alliance tuftsalumni.org Londontuftsalliance@yahoo.com UConn Alumni Association uconnalumni.com UnitedKingdom@UConnAlumni.com UMass Alumni Club UK President, Renu Singh, renu.singh@alumni.lse.ac.uk umassalumni.com University of California 020 7079 0567 london.universityofcalifornia.edu alumni@californiahouse.org.uk University of Chicago Alumni Association rupalyp@gmail.com, w ww.uchicagouk.org University of Chicago Booth Alumni Association President: hbunuan@chicagobooth.edu www.chicagobooth.edu/alumni/clubs/uk University of Colorado Alumni alumni.colorado.edu/cu-in-london allyson.frusciano@colorado.edu University of Georgia Alumni Association 07919 057 538 nealjohnsonuk@yahoo.com www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/site/ chapters/london_chapter

American Actors UK 07873 371 891 admin@americanactorsuk.com www.americanactorsuk.com

University of Virginia Alumni Club of London uvaclubs.virginia.edu/group/uvaclub-of-london londonuvaclub@yahoo.com 020 7368 8473

Savio(u)r Theatre Company Britain’s American theatre company www.saviourtheatrecompany.com

US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) Alumni UK Chapter www.usmma.edu/alumni bennett.ac@gmail.com Facebook: Kings Point Alumni - London/United Kingdom USNA Alumni Association, UK Chapter President: Tim Fox ‘97 timfox97@hotmail.com Facebook - USNA Alumni Association, UK Chapter Vassar College Club Sara Hebblethwaite, President 020 8788 6910 contact@vassarclubuk.org www.vassarclubuk.org Warnborough Worldwide Alumni Association 01227 762 107 www.wwaa.info/wwaa.htm admissions@warnborough.edu Washington University UK Alumni Club Steven Leof, steven@leof.co.uk alumni.wustl.edu/Community/Pages/London.aspx www.facebook.com/groups/WUSTLLondon Wellesley College Club www.wellesley.edu/alumnae/groups/clubs/intlclubs/ wellesley_uk_club WCLondon@alum.wellesley.edu Wharton Alumni Club of the UK 020-7447-8800 www.whartonclubuk.net Williams Club of Great Britain Ethan Kline: ethankline@gmail.com, alumni. relations@williams.edu, alumni.williams.edu Yale Club of London President, president@yale.org.uk Secretary secretary@yale.org.uk www.yale.org.uk

University of Illinois Alumni Club of the UK Amy Barklam BUS 1994, President, 07796 193 466 amybarklam@msn.com www.uialumninetwork.org

Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae Kristin Morgan 07812 580949 kristinamorgan@gmail.com www.zetataualpha.org

University of North Carolina Alumni Club unclondoncochairs@googlegroups.com alumni.unc.edu

CIVIL WAR SOCIETIES

University of Michigan Alumni Association 0788-784-0941, jesscobb@yahoo.com alumni.umich.edu University of Rochester/Simon School UK Alumni Association Julie Bonne, 0118-956-5052, alumni@rochester.edu julie_bonne@yahoo.com, www.rochester.edu/alumni

ARTS

University of Southern California, USC Alumni Club of London Walter Ladwig, President usclondon@gmail.com www.usclondonalumni.org

American Civil War Round Table (UK) Civil War historical soc., sandra-bishop@hotmail.com www.americancivilwar.org.uk Southern Skirmish Association (SoSkan) The oldest American Civil War Re-enacting Society outside the USA. membership@soskan.co.uk www.soskan.co.uk

SPORTS English Lacrosse Wenlock Way, Manchester M12 5DH 0843 658 5006 info@englishlacrosse.co.uk www.englishlacrosse.co.uk British Baseball Federation / SoftballUK 5th Floor, Ariel House, 74a Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QJ 020 7453 7055 www.britishbaseball.org British Morgan Horse Society 01981 500488 admin@morganhorse.org.uk www.morganhorse.org.uk Ice Hockey UK 02920 263 441 ihukoffice@yahoo.co.uk www.icehockeyuk.co.uk Inﬁnity Elite Cheerleading (founded by CAC) 077 9132 0115 infinityelite@yahoo.co.uk www.facebook.com/InfinityAllstars Herts Baseball Club Adult & Little League Baseball www.hertsbaseball.com Lakenheath Barracudas Swim Club Open to all military affiliated families. laken.barracudas@yahoo.com www.barracudas.moonfruit.com LondonSports American flag football, baseball, basketball and soccer, boys/girls, 4-15 all nationalities, new or experienced players. www.londonsports.com vll@me.com London Warriors American Football Club info@londonwarriorsafc.co.uk www.londonwarriorsafc.co.uk

Has your group done something you’re proud of? Tell us email sabrina@theamerican.co.uk

We rely on you to keep us informed. Every eﬀort is made to ensure that these listings are correct but if your entry requires amendments please tell us. Send profiles, news or articles about your organization for possible publication in The American. email sabrina@theamerican.co.uk, tel +44(0)1747 830520 Twitter @TheAmericanMag

March 2015 61

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Suppliers of quality products and services hand-picked for you ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES Stephen T Taylor Your American stamp dealer in Britain since 1995. 5 Glenbuck Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6BS 020 8390 9357 info@stephentaylor.co.uk www.stephentaylor.co.uk

COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY Anji Holland and Associates

Anji Holland and Associates Tax Return Preparation and compliance service for US Expatriates. Specialist in providing advice on UK/ US Tax interaction. Affordable Fixed Fees. Prospect House, 5 May Lane, Dursley, GL11 4JH 01453 542483 Contact Rachel Finch rachel@burton-sweet.co.uk www.burton-sweet.co.uk Twitter @burtonsweet www.linkedin.com/company/burton-sweet

Greenback Expat Tax Services

Expert preparation of US and UK taxes from our highly experienced CPAs, UK Chartered Accountant and IRS Enrolled Agents US Toll Free: +1 888-362-5032 www.greenbacktaxservices.com info@greenbacktaxservices.com www.facebook.com/greenbacktax www.youtube.com/GreenbackTaxServices

Certified Public Accountants specializing in tax planning and preparation, retirement planning and consulting for American expatriates and foreign nationals. Also offer a program to assist human resource professionals in serving the needs of the their expat employees. 1776 N. Pine Island Road, Suite 316, Plantation, Florida, USA 33322 +1 954-332-1345 sr@krcpas.us www.americantaxhelp.com

NLP Coaching and Training. Unleash your true potential. Understand what make you and others tick. Achieve the goals you have set. Rid yourself of those negative emotions. London - Bath - Online 07944 647 978 anji@anjiholland.com www.anjiholland.com

Montage Services, Inc.

Transitions Therapy

For all your US tax needs in Europe: individual & corporate, international & domestic. Offices in San Francisco, Houston, London, Toronto and Berlin. 020 3004 6353 sam@montage-services.com www.montage-services.com

Psychotherapy & Counselling for Expatriate Individuals, Couples, Families & Adolescents. London, or via Skype. 07557 261432 transitions_therapy@hotmail.com www.transitionstherapy.co.uk

Tax & Accounting Hub

Bow Lane Dental Group

H&R Block Expat Tax Services

One H&R Block Way, Kansas City, MO 64105 USA 1-816-504-1665 expattax@hrblock.com expats.hrblock.com Our secure, remote service has a dedicated team which includes CPAs, enrolled agents, and tax attorneys, who focus on expat taxes and can handle all types of U.S. tax returns, including FATCA and FBAR.

62 March 2015

DENTAL

Professional service at affordable prices. Fixed fee U.S. Expatriate tax preparation service in London. Federal/ State, Foreign bank account/IRS audits response 152 Burford Wharf, 3 Cam Road, London, E15 2SS +44 (0)20 3286 6445. M: +44 (0)79 1439 3183 kader@taxandaccountinghub.com www.taxandaccountinghub.com

For all you and your families dental needs visit the award winning Bow Lane Dental Group in the City of London. We have been making the City smile since 2001. www.bowlanedental.com 020 7236 3600 reception@bowlanedental.com

The American LEGAL

EDUCATION Castle Education Consultancy Ltd

Penningtons Manches LLP

Independent education consultancy that works with families on school and university search. 50 Scholars Drive, Penylan, Cardiff CF23 9FE 02920 214424 www.castleeducationconsultancy.co.uk Matthew@castleeducationconsultancy.co.uk

FINANCIAL ADVICE

Family, international private wealth, immigration and residential property teams advise international families and expatriates on relocation, wealth management, tax, immigration and all aspects of family law. Abacus House, 33 Gutter Lane, London EC2V 8AR T: +44 (0) 20 7457 3000 F: +44 (0) 20 7457 3240 anna.worwood@manches.com www.penningtons.co.uk @penningtonslaw

REAL ESTATE RE/MAX Property Group

Notting Hill Gate Branch: 49 Cottesmore Court, Stanford Road, London W8 5QW 07511-895090 www.remax.co.uk

VISAS & IMMIGRATION US Visa Solutions - Law Office of Janice A. Flynn

MEDICAL

Tanager Wealth Management LLP

108 Medical Chambers

Integrated financial and investment advice for US expats living in the UK provided by US expats. Global account consolidation, UK/US savings and retirement planning together with investment advice. Contact us for a no obligation meeting or telephone conversation. 020 7871 8440 www.tanagerwealth.com contact@tanagerwealth.com @tanagerwealth

INTERIOR DESIGN

108 Medical Chambers is a leading Consultant led and delivered independent out-patient and diagnostic centre with clinical teams specialising in breast disease, dermatology, groins and hernia surgery, colo-rectal problems, sports injuries and thyroid and ENT problems. 0207 563 1234 info@108harleystreet.co.uk www.108harleystreet.co.uk

NOTARIES

Rolando Luci

US-licensed immigration lawyers advising on US citizenship, green cards, visa and US entry issues. Honest, straightforward advice and a high level of bespoke service. Third Floor, 6 & 7 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8AD UK +44 (0)20 7092 6830 US +1 (312) 361-0581 Janice@usvisasolutions.co.uk www.usvisasolutions.co.uk Twitter: FlynnUSVisaLaw

WEDDING PLANNING Extraordinary Days Events

Edward Young LLP Edward Young LLP (inc. Kober-Smith & Associates) is a full practice Notary Public in London. We can solve your problems. Full notary service. 9 Carlos Place London W1K 3AT (nr US Embassy) Appointment only. 00 44(0)20 7499 2605 notary@NotaryPublicInLondon.com www.edwardyoung.co.uk

Luxury lighting, including American brands, some unique to the UK 01778 218121 www.rolandoluci.co.uk

SOLUTION 5

An American wedding planner in London creating elegant, sophisticated, and unique weddings in England. Bespoke services ranging from full service planning to day-of coordination. 020 7433 0300 info@extraordinarydaysevents.com www.extraordinarydaysevents.com

Coffee Break Answers

1.California; 2. Sonny Bono; 3.Antonio Vivaldi; 4. Gin and Tonic; 5. An African antelope; 6. Alan Shepard, in May 1961. He piloted the most accurate landing of the Apollo missions ten years later, aged 47, the oldest astronaut in the program. He became the fifth and oldest person to walk on the Moon, hitting two golf balls.; 7. Spanish ‘flu; 8. Taikonaut; 9. Herbert Hoover (1929–1933), the 31st President; 10. It is the Huron-Iroquois word for village, given to explorer Jacques Cartier when asking directions from the natives on his expedition up the St. Lawrence River in 1535; 11. Silver – the day was named ‘Silver Thursday’ as it nearly brought the financial markets down; 12. The Voting Rights Act.

March 2015 September 2013 63

The American

Mehmet had a Light Bulb moment when he decided I could be The Face of his new olive oil promotion

Embassy Electrical Supplies 76 Compton Street Clerkenwell London EC1V 0BN www.mroliveoil.com  020 7251 4721 O Farringdon Buses: 4, 56, 153, 243, 55

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Don’t be fooled by the industriallooking exterior: this electrical supplies shop sells possibly the best olive oil in the UK. Mehmet Murat sells a range of infused oils, olives and candied fruit, produced from his own olive and citrus groves in Cyprus and Turkey, from his shop in Clerkenwell. His parents planted the trees in 1950 and once the olives are cold pressed and the sediment has settled, Mehmet bottles the oils himself and transports it to London. His pure extra virgin olive oil has garnered an international reputation with rave reviews in New York Magazine, and The Times and online orders from around the globe.

Extract from the book Peggy Lee Loves London, available on Amazon. Signed copies from Katrina’s website www.katrinasweb.com www.facebook.com/katrinasweb www.twitter.com/katrinasweb New album ‘Blisland’ out now

Unleash your true potential What would it be like if you could ... Really understand what make you and others tick? Actually achieve the goals you have set? Rid yourself of those negative emotions that hold you back from reaching your dreams?

Did you know? 75% of the Fortune 500 Companies use Neuro Linguistic Programming – NLP. NLP is probably the most powerful personal and professional development tool in the world. NLP™ is a set of techniques that can help you get more out of life through self-development, for business, or by becoming a coach.

Want to know more?

Why not come on one of our taster days to get a handle on what it’s all about!

Anji Holland and Associates NLP Coaching and Training 07944 647 978 www.anjiholland.com London - Bath - Online

Free to Read in Print or On Screen Every issue of the magazine now available online... IN PRINT: Pick a copy up from (among other places):  The US Embassy in London and US Consulates  The United/Continental and Virgin clubhouses at Heathrow  Hotels around the UK  The American Museum in Britain (near Bath)  Automat American Brasserie, Dover Street, Mayfair, London  Sports Bar & Grill Marylebone and Victoria  All the organizations listed in back of the magazine, and USAFE bases  see www.theamerican. co.uk for a full list Get a copy delivered to your home or workplace, the only thing we’ll ask you to pay for is the post and packing – call us on +44 (0)1747 830520. ON SCREEN: Read The American on your mobile device or computer at www.theamerican.co.uk – Click on the front cover image for the current issue, or on the MAGAZINE tab where you can read back issues too.

Silverstrands Jewellery

Beautiful and stylish jewellery handmade in Ireland www.silverstrandsjewellery.com