Joann tells me that there are four literary dinners advertised at London’s Savoy – with one of the speakers being Richard which is scheduled for December 16th. REG’s “theme” will be “Why Can’t women tell jokes – because they marry them”. The cost is £75 each including a champagne reception and can be booked by telephoning 020 7420 2669 (Britain)

In response to the literary dinner, Denise phoned the number and got this email reply from the organiser:

Dear Ms Hale,

I am delighted to be able to tell you about the second series of Literary Dinners being held at The Savoy with the hotel’s Writer in Residence for 2003, Kathy Lette. Kathy will take up her post in October and will be resident in the hotel for three months.

Kathy’s reputation as a witty and satirical observer of modern mores has brought her both critical acclaim and a world wide following, and the Literary Dinners are your chance to enjoy her lively wit at first hand over a gourmet dinner.

As a theme for the Literary Dinners Kathy has chosen the eternal battle between the sexes and she has persuaded an impressive array of co-speakers to debate suitably controversial topics with her:

28th October
Sir John Mortimer QC – “Why Can’t a Man Think More Woman?”

26th November
Stephen Fry – “Beauty Versus Brains – Wrinkles, Why Won’t Men Read Between Her Lines?”

16th December
Richard E Grant – “Why Can’t Women Tell Jokes – Because They Marry Them”

15th January
Salman Rushdie – “Why Do Men Like Smart Women – Because Opposites Attract.”

The cost for each dinner is £75 per person and includes a champagne reception followed by a gourmet dinner, including wine, created by The Savoy’s Maitre Chef.

Kathy has been achieving literary success since publishing her first book Puberty Blues as a teenager in her native Australia. Her novels since then, Girls Night Out, The Llama Parlour, Foetal Attraction, Altar Ego and Nip ‘N’ Tuck propelled her firmly to the top of the best seller lists with Mad Cows being made into a film starring Joanna Lumley. Kathy’s next novel, Dead Sexy, will be published in November and she is hoping to collect material during her stay in The Savoy for her next book suitably titled Lady Muck.

The dinners will take place in the Beaufort Room at The Savoy and promise to be both lively and entertaining with guests encouraged to take part in the debate. Please find attached the menu. Places are strictly limited and can be reserved by telephoning the Food and Beverage Office on 020 7420 2669. I do hope we will see you there.

Yours sincerely,

Vicki Behrens
Food and Beverage Office
The Savoy
Tel 020 7420 2669
Fax 020 7420 2450

Thanks for the info, guys. So hop to it if you want to see Richard’s talk.