Page 8 - BOSS Today Issue 38

OH WHAT

A NIGHT!

he newly-refurbished “Twins” from the back of After an excellent meal, Family: Not The Sitcom. His
TVictory Services Club the room (the uncanny and with the formalities anecdotes, supported by
in Marble Arch was the resemblance between the over, the President rose to photos and videos, covered
venue for The Society President and Mr Baddiel introduce the Honoured his parents and his children,
of Old Friends’ Autumn was indeed referred to many Guest. It was, he said, our attitudes to the dead, to
Dinner, playing host to over times over the course of the a regular occurrence offence and to how we react
one hundred members evening). for people to randomly on social media.
and guests. Pre-event David Langdown approach him and tell him He sat down to cheers and
publicity promised a night welcomed the guests and he looks like David Baddiel. applause – a very popular
to remember and, once extended thanks to Old Nodding, laughter and calls choice of Guest. He later
again, the Society did not Friend John Logan, who had of “he does” from the floor tweeted how much he had
disappoint. carved a new oak base for confirmed this to be true! enjoyed the event to his half
A pre-dinner champagne the Society’s bronze bust This was a unique chance, a million Twitter followers.
reception was hosted of its founder, Jack Barwick. the President said, to have But the entertainment
on the balcony above He explained that tradition them both in the same room was far from over, as music
the Carisbrooke Room, dictates that the bust, which at the same time. took over from comedy. The
before the Society’s guest is an exact replica of one The list of David Baddiel’s Eastcoast Boys brought the
toastmaster, Richard in the Tate Gallery, attends accomplishments is highlights of their show, Big
Britchnell, called guests to all the Society dinners, extensive: comedian, Girls Don’t Cry. With over an
dinner. In the first moment despite weighing almost 30 writer, director, producer, hour of wall-to-wall Frankie
of drama of the evening, pounds and not being very recording artist, creator for Valli and the Four Seasons
Richard slipped at the edge conveniently shaped for radio, television and the big hits. Whilst some preferred
of the stage and suffered carrying on the train! screen. It is so long, in fact, to listen from the bar, most
a cut to his arm that later David also thanked Old that our Guest took to the of the audience stayed to
required stitches! Thankfully, Friend Steve Hilleard and stage before the President sing and clap along, with a
a combination of nearby first his OPI colleague, Joel could finish! hard core group dancing in
aid and a red tailcoat meant Mitchell, for re-designing It was a night of surprises, the aisles until the encores
that there was no blood to the Society’s logo. The new he said; the first surprise finished at around 11.30pm.
put guests off their dinner! design maintained the being that in 1963 his As Frankie Valli would
The President, David links to the past and to the mother had apparently had have said, “Oh what a night!”
Langdown, his wife Jayne Society’s origins in book an affair with the President’s Why not get involved?
and Honoured Guest - the selling, but had a simplified, father! Family was actually If you’d like to know
comedian and author David contemporary feel in line the theme of David Baddiel’s more about or join the
Baddiel - were welcomed with the desire to ensure speech as he delighted Old Friends, visit www.
with enthusiastic applause, that the Society remains the audience with extracts thesocietyofoldfriends.
along with a few calls of relevant. from his latest show, My co.uk.

8 BOSS TODAY | December 2017/January 2018