| |
by Jane Milligan
"I Have just spent a wonderful evening at Australia house with some of the family."
"We were invited to see a private screening of I TOLD YOU I WAS ILL: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SPIKE MILLIGAN, at Australia House. The Honourable Mike Rann (Premier of South Australia) was coming to London and the Agent General, Maurice de Rohan, wanted to put on a nice do for him, so we travelled on the tube in our smart gear to Charing X in London.
"After a quick body search on the door we entered Australia House at around 6.00pm. Even though I have grown up in London and campaigned on the front doorstep with my father, I had never actually been inside - what a stunning building, it took a moment to take it all in.
"The Cinema had been decorated with funny cartoon pictures of Spike with some of his best quotes, moody lighting, beautiful flowers, chocolates on the seats and a menu for the dinner afterwards.
"The audience seemed to be gripped by the story of Spike’s life. It is hard to be objective when it is your own flesh and blood - I just love everything about him, and am very lucky to be able to watch such a beautiful tribute to him. The Glen Cardier moments are some of my favourite, he has such a good grasp of Spike and what he feels was his legacy. The film got a huge round of applause - the reactions were all very warm and heartfelt. Afterwards, there were more speeches from Mike Rann about the Australian film industry and then a lovely Salmon dinner followed by Summer pudding accompanied by some fantastic Aussie wines - shame Dad was not there to help us drink them.
"So a big thanks you to all the people at Australia House who gave us such a great night. I will end with a few lines of Spike’s version of The Aussie national anthem:"
Australia, Australia, We love you from the heart, The liver, the giblets and the kidneys. And every other part.
Jane Milligan
added by Mike
The evening was great, the audience was a mix of politicians, Spike's family, Australian politicians and embassy workers - I even met Rolf Harris there.
This film will be available on dvd soon, I believe and will be a must have for any Spike fans, it had some great Spike moments, showing Spike as never seen before in his home, ill and surrounded by his family, the moment on the stairlift was a classic!
You will not be disappointed!! (The salmon was very nice as well)
| |