"I love this... it's like meerkats"
As I followed the journalist's gaze across the room I couldn't help but agree. The reporters around us indeed had the characteristics of a fidgeting pack of meerkats. Nervously rising from their seats, peering to the back of the grand conference room before sitting back down again to check their notes. In the corner, two fought over a front row seat with fierce determination whilst a sense of anticipation bounced off the chandeliers above our heads.
There's nothing like a London press conference. Especially one for a new British film with as many rave reviews as The Queen has received. The bustling journos seemed strangely casual against the grand decor at the Savoy Hotel but the name placards before us explained why. It's not often you get close to National treasures such as Dame Helen Mirren (The Queen), Michael Sheen (Tony Blair), Stephen Frears (Director) and Peter Morgan (Writer).
The film is a revealing portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II and the turmoil of the Royal Family in the days following Princess Diana's death. At the time, Tony Blair was the newly elected Prime Minister and found himself challenged with the task of connecting the increasingly private Royal Family with the grieving British public. Sound too political for your liking? It's not... if there's on thing that director Stephen Frears knows how to do, it's to tell a good story. Interviews with the man behind films such as Dangerous Liasons, The Grifters and Dirty Pretty Things are notoriously difficult. Judging by the nervous energy in the conference room, the people around me were well also aware of this.
With digital voice recorders poised, we sat praying that they'd make it through the interview. All equipment obsessions vanished however, as soon as the guests walked into the room. There's something about Helen Mirren; she walks with a grace and steady confidence that commands respect. I doubt there's a woman in the world (other than The Queen herself) that can silence a room of serial talkers as effortlessly as she can. Her presence alone is moving.
As the stars settled in their seats, the meerkats suddenly morphed into hyenas, on the hunt for a perfect answer. Lucky for us, lastminute.com was also invited to a special private chat with Helen and Stephen high up in the surroundings of a Savoy Hotel room. Close up, Stephen has piercing blue eyes beneath an experienced lined face and seemed to open up more in the more intimate surroundings of a comfy hotel room. Rather than his trademark blunt answers, he displayed a sharp wit and a sly sense of humour. Dressed casually and slumped in his seat he was a stark contrast to the poised, immaculately dressed Dame Helen Mirren. As they sipped tea, we chatted about lastminuteliving, blogging, the film and, of course, Helen’s wig...
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