IT MAY not have been the House of Commons, but a packed Palace Theatre was home to a well-known politician last week.
Michael Portillo, who is perhaps better known these days as the host of BBC Two’s Great British Railway Journeys, treated guests to an hour-and-a-half of his company on Monday (October 19).
The Standard’s Beth Wright managed to grab a ticket for the sold out show and was taken by surprise by Michael’s wit and self-deprecating manner.
Although I was the youngest in the audience, as far as I could see, by a good 20 years, throughout ‘In Life: A Game of Two Halves’ Mr Portillo – it seems strange to call him Michael – he had me unexpectedly laughing out loud.
The former Member of Parliament split the first hour of the show into 15 minute segments, spending a quarter talking about his childhood and family, his role as Deputy Conservative Party leader and Cabinet Minister, his father and finally his latest endeavour as a BBC Two host.
I had expected the evening to err more on the serious and strait-laced side, with Portillo focusing heavily upon his political career but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
From when he signed my ticket in the foyer of the Palace to answering the final question of the half-hour-long question and answer session, Mr Portillo’s charm, gentle sarcasm and ability to laugh at himself and his infamous political history had me hooked.
The ‘This Week’ regular regaled the audience with tales from his days advising Mrs Thatcher and shared the difficulties of filming the closing shot on Great British Railway Journeys – confiding there are often occasions when the trains roar past him or come to a stop too early.
When asked if he would ever return to politics, Mr Portillo grinned ruefully and said he was quite happy with his current standing in life but I can’t help but wonder if the political spectrum would be a little more colourful should he ever return.
The 62-year-old has most definitely not lost his political charm of old and after last week’s date, can now count me as a fan.
