Festive Fun

Spring into Easter

Welcome to this Easter Bunny bumper edition of our regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. In this episode our presenter/producer, and member, Jonathan Levy, presents an eclectic mix of stories recorded around the events and characters that make the club so special - together with highlights from theatreland and a special preview of this year’s Olivier Awards. Here’s the running order of features: 00:00:00              Introduction – previewing highlights from this feature-length edition.   00:03:40              It's the 50th anniversary of the Olivier Awards, which celebrates the best of British theatre. We talk to the organisers – The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre - with Co-CEO Hannah Essex.   00:09:30              The latest west-end production of The Producers has had four nominations, including Best Musical Revival. One of the nominees for best actor in a supporting role in a musical is our very own club member – Trevor Ashley, who discusses his character as Broadway Director Roger DeBris, and what being up for an Olivier Award means to him.   00:16:15              We stay with The Producers at The Garrick Theatre. Stepping in for Andy Nyman for seven weeks in the role of Broadway producer Max Bialystok is the fabulous Richard Kind. We were there for his ‘opening night’ and chatted at the stage door afterwards while meeting fans and signing autographs.   00:19:20              The first of three intimate sessions – starting in The Library with a new champagne house – Challiol & Charmetant – a French champagne inspired by a 19th century event in India under the reign of Queen Victoria. 00:24:00              We join diamond jewellers Kensington Parker at a hands-on masterclass to assess the quality of some amazing stones close-up.   00:29:40              The Ivy Club’s very own book club, Bookmarked, recently convened its latest session. It hosted author Louise Candlish on her latest psychological crime thriller.   00:33.35              A change of tempo as we talk all things Opera with the ENOs head of events Louise Flew, their partnership with The Ivy Club and what’s in store for the company and the Coliseum.   00:40:50              The club also has a relationship with Donmar Warehouse . They hosted a production breakfast in The Loft where we heard from assistant director – literary, Craig Gilbert.   00:44:10              A special St. Patrick's Day-themed social in The Piano Bar – we chat to members and performers – together with insights into their favourite tipples.   00:52:25              A pause to highlight some new food dishes available in the Piano Bar before moving on with our next item...   00:53:50              On the sporting theme, we turn now to a legend: footballer John Barnes, who dropped in for a special luncheon event in the Drawing Room.   00:59:00              And a perfect segue into our very own sports team – The Ivy Cricket Club. We talk to them at a recent social in The Piano Bar.   01:03:30              Have you ever paused to consider the artworks adorning the Piano Bar and elsewhere in the club? We talk to artist Noj Barker in his farmhouse studio.   01:12:10              Our final item returns to the Drawing Room for a dinner with radio presenter Nick Ferrari .   01:19:40              Closing review   A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club.   Our opening and closing signature music is ‘Lover Please Stay’ (instrumental) by the Shtriker Big Band. This and all incidental music is published by Artlist. Music from The Producers courtesy of the production company, Music recorded live in The Ivy Club London performed by Joe Thompson on piano and accordion, plus traditional Irish band ‘Malarkey’.   The Spotlight podcast magazine show is a Blue Aurora Media production for The Ivy Club, London – Copyright 2026 - All rights reserved.

New Year 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of our regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. In this episode we kick off the new year with another eclectic mix of stories recorded around the events and characters that make the club so special. Here’s the running order of features: 00:00:00            Introduction 00:01:55              Meet club member and former England Rugby 7s captain Ollie Phillips, ahead of him hosting the annual club sports quiz. This intrepid sportsman and explorer has sailed the world as an ambassador for Great Britain, then set a Guinness World Record on the North Pole, broke two world records on Everest, cycled across America, swam the English channel, has just returned from rowing the Atlantic – he was head of the Olympic programme in China, worked at PWC for ten years and now runs his own leadership development company: Optimist Performance. The sports quiz raised funds for the “My Name’5 Doddie” motor neurone disease charity, as did Ollie’s Atlantic row. 00:08:40              The first of three dips into the recent new members’ social reception in the Piano Bar. Jonathan mingles with guests to extend the hand of friendship and discover guests’ signature cocktails of choice – including the classic Twinkle. 00:14:10              The Piano Bar menu is on hand to offer snacks or something more substantial, to soak up the evening's cocktails. We chat to restaurant manager Leah McDermott to discover what’s new on the culinary hit list.                                                                                                                                                   00:17:15                 Meanwhile, back at the new (and old) members’ reception we meet up with Christian. His love of Scotch Whisky is detailed although not strong enough to sample Haggis on Burns Night – another great club event hosted in the Drawing Room restaurant, with traditional tributes to Robbie Burns provided by ‘Revels in Hand’ – Scotch Whisky cocktails and single malts courtesy of The Singleton. 00:23:35              A timely opportunity to rejoin restaurant manager Leah Alice McDermott to discover what’s on the new Drawing Room menu...some very mouthwatering dishes from sea bass sashimi to braised veal meat balls, fillet of cod and a Thai red curry with roasted duck! 00:28:30              Ageing Disgracefully! The second event on this popular theme hosted in The Loft by member Jo Dalton exploring ‘midlife and thriving’. Her panel for the evening included actress and comedienne Helen Lederer; Longevity and human optimisation specialist Dr Ash Kapoor, founder of the Levitas Group; and an entrepreneur who’s liberating singles and couples every day - Emma Sayle, the founder and CEO of Killing Kittens. 00:33:40              We return to the Piano Bar for the final time to chat with new members and a common love of an extra dry gin martini. Plus a quick chat with Lizzy Moore and a reminder that members can have dinner with LBC Radio host Nick Ferrari, with some revealing insights (no doubt) on Friday 6 March in the Drawing Room. 00:38:45              The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry has recently opened for a limited run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Spotlight attended the launch and opening night. We talk to press event host Gaby Roslin, actor Mark Addy who plays Harold Fry, Mike Rosenberg (Passenger) who wrote all the songs for the musical, author and writer Rachel Joyce, Australian actor Noah Mullins, making his West End debut in the role of the Balladeer. On opening night, we hear from cast, production team, audience and reviewers. 00:48:40              Closing review A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. Our opening and closing signature music is ‘Lover PleaseStay’ (instrumental) by the Shtriker Big Band. Ageing Disgracefully intro featured ‘Tulips’ by Omri Smadar. Both published by Artlist.

Santa Paws Special

This is a special bonus episode offering an extended version of our Santa Paws feature on the Festive Fun edition of our regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. Opening music is ‘Ornaments’ by the Earth Tone, published by Artlist. Incidental piano music was recorded live in The Ivy Club - London, performed by Joe Thompson.

Festive Fun

This is a special festive edition of our regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. Here’s the running order of features: 00:00:00              Introduction featuring show host Jonathan Levy joined by The Ivy Club General Manager Suzanne Shaheen 00:02:50              Halloween festivities weekend medley of four incredible events. 00:16:40              Club member Jo Dalton talks about the hit event and ‘Ageing Disgracefully’ 00:22:30              Bookmarked guest author Eleanor Doughty provides insights into the modern British Aristocracy in her latest book Heirs and Graces  00:24:30           Santa Paws – the annual canine Christmas fancy dress extravaganza 00:33:15              The Ivy Cricket Club with Chris Carey  00:36:00              Christmas Carols sing-a-long with Joe Thompson and Sally Creedon 00:39:00              Closing summary of forthcoming events A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. Episode three is planned for early February 2026 Our opening and closing signature music is ‘Lover PleaseStay’ (instrumental) by the Shtriker Big Band, published by Artlist. Incidental music was recorded live in The Ivy Club London

Première - Highlights edition

This is a special cut-down version of our bumper launchedition of this new regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. In this ‘highlights’ episode we present a shorter edit of stories recorded around the events and characters that make the club so special. Here’s the running order: 00:00    Introduction 01:45    The charm of NoëlCoward: The Ivy was one of Coward’s favourite restaurants, so it was quite appropriate for the Club to host a special evening in his honour. We hear from the event’s producer, New York based Liz Law; panel host Charles Isherwood – theatre critic for the Wall Street Journal; biographer Oliver Soden; actor ArtyFroushan who recently played Coward in the film Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale. (Soundtrack extract courtesy Focus Features) 07:30    Club member and author Lizzy Moore shares memories of the Piano Bar - when it was her father’s office. Imagine it in a bygone era, stripped back to an unpretentious room occupied by two high-powered hospitality entrepreneurs and their ‘scary’secretary. 08:40    Leadershiplessons from Professor John Amaechi. Do you see yourself as a leader? Well maybe we’re all leaders but it’s not magic according to a former professional basketball player turned psychologist, consultant and all-round leadership guru. His latest book examines the ‘ordinary skills of exceptional leaders.’ 14:15 October is Black History Month and a group of members and their guests came together in The Loft to host a special evening exploring the experiences of people of colour in the creative sector, especially in film, television and theatre.  The panel was chaired by James Blue, an Emmy and Peabody award-winning TV exec. based in New York; Derren Lawford from DAREPictures (who made The Ivy documentary) named Emerging Indie of the Year; Channel 4 News senior correspondent/presenter Ayshah Tull; Theatre producer and NAACP award recipient Tegan Summer. 19:50    Club piano legend Joe Thompson and his life in 32 bars. He has been at the Club since it was a building site over 17 years ago. He couldn’t get off for good behaviour so now his little dog Daisy (who steals all the Piano Bar limelight) ensures he turns up on time…and gets home safely. Joe is also curating a series ofperformances at the Club for the EFG London Jazz Festival this November. 24:50    Suzanne Shaheen recently became general manager at the Club and joins Jonathan at the ‘naughty corner’ of the bar on her first 100+ days in West Street.  27:55    The Ivy Club offers some great theatre deals combining a night at the theatre with dining in the Drawing Room. On 3rd November members attended the much-anticipated new production of Othello, adapted and directed by Tom Morris at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The Shakespeare masterpiece is a psychological thriller. We go back-stage ahead of the first preview to meet Caitlin FitzGerald who plays Desdemona and Vinette Robinson who plays Emilia. A fascinating conversation ensues about their female characters, the portrayal of women in the theatre and the sad fact that, in Britain today, around two women a week are killed by men, many who are their partners. Othello is playing until 17 January 2026. David Harewood stars as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago, with the mood-setting music created by P J Harvey. (Dialogue and music extracts featured in this report courtesyChris Harper Productions) 33:45    Closing review A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. Our opening and closing signature music is ‘Lover PleaseStay’ (instrumental) by the Shtriker Big Band, published by Artlist. Incidental piano music was recorded live in The Ivy Club London – Noel Coward accompaniment played by Robert Hazle on behalf of The Noël Coward Archive Trust; Jazz numbers performed by Joe Thompson on piano and accompanying musicians.