Buckingham Palace recently played host to a glittering event celebrating the National Theatre, an institution renowned for its contributions to the arts. The celebration, attended by notable figures including Queen Camilla and a slew of A-list celebrities, aimed to raise £125 million for the enhancement of the National Theatre's Grade II-listed home on London’s Southbank. The evening was marked by theatrical performances, surprise moments, and engaging interactions that highlighted the theatre's significant cultural impact.
The Queen herself was present at the event and expressed delight when performers surprised her with a scene from "Hamlet," one of her favourite plays. She revealed that "Hamlet" holds a special place in her heart, stating, "one of my favourites" and that it "really makes me laugh." Camilla, the Queen Consort, accompanied her and was seen engaging with performers in the Picture Gallery. She shared her admiration for the play, describing it as "fantastic, absolutely brilliant."
Rufus Norris, the outgoing Director of the National Theatre, escorted Camilla into the reception. During his speech, Sir Simon Russell-Beale took the audience by surprise with a spirited rendition of "Speak the Speech" from "Hamlet," adding a dynamic element to the evening's proceedings.
The event also featured a snippet from "The Importance of Being Earnest," which is set to be broadcast in cinemas across the UK starting February 20. Sharon D Clarke, in full costume as Lady Bracknell from the play, humorously interrupted the Queen during a conversation. In response to the elaborate costume, Camilla quipped, "I feel I could borrow a few, for a State Dinner. I think it would be just the job." Sharon D Clarke playfully replied, "You can't nick any of them," while suggesting Camilla could adopt her theatrical style by adding, "But if you want to fashion yourself like me…”
A-listers graced the event with their presence, including Cate Blanchett, Andrew Garfield, and James Corden. The Queen shared a light moment with actor Hugh Skinner, recalling his previous performance: "The last time I saw you were recording Twas The Night Before Christmas." Skinner fondly remembered the occasion, responding, "It was so much fun. Thank you for having me back."
Sir Damon Buffini expressed gratitude towards Camilla for her patronage of the National Theatre since 2022, a role previously held by the Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II. He warmly acknowledged her support by saying, "Thank you so much for letting us invade your home. It’s absolutely fantastic that you’re our patron. We are after all the Royal National Theatre, it means a huge amount to us to have your support." He further extended an invitation to Camilla and her spouse to visit more often: "We'd like to see you more often. You could drag your other half along as well if you'd like to, we promise it won't be too long."
The National Theatre, with a global reach of 19 million through stage performances, tours, educational programs, and cinema screenings, continues its mission to inspire creativity and develop skills within schools and communities. By fostering pathways for careers in theatre, it remains committed to broadening its cultural and educational impact.
