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BAFTANEWSAND
ADAM SUSCHITZKY ASHA RADWAN CARL PRECHEZER BEVERLEY PARKINSON DAN MAYERS CAROLINE PETIT YOTA WADA
BAFTANEWSAND
CALLING ALL
MEMBERS FROM AMY MINYARD BAFTA Events And Membership Officer
May was a quieter month around the Academy, no doubt with many members in Cannes. I hope those of you who went had a wonderful and productive time there, as well as a sunny and warm one.
As things brighten up around London, it is time to start thinking about the annual BAFTA closure during the summer. This year, we are planning to close from 6 August through 3 September inclusive. We don’t have any- thing as drastic as the removal of a staircase planned this year, but the closure does allow us time to upgrade and maintain areas of the building that get well worn during the rest of the year. We are working to min- imise the closure period and will confirm it in due course.
I am sure Keith Jordan and his team will be hard at work in the projection box, ensuring BAFTA’s technical
facilities remain at the cut- ting edge of our industry. Charlie North Lewis will be working to brighten up the building, and I will be busy planning events for the autumn. Sorry to disappoint if you thought we all went on holiday!
In the next couple of months before we close, may I invite you to take advantage of the wonderful facilities we do have here, not just to attend an event or take in a film, but to relax with a drink in the bars or enjoy lunch with a few friends.
If you wish to have an informal lunch with friends, Café 195 is the perfect solu- tion, with a variety of main meals, salads, and sand- wiches on offer each day. The Café is also open throughout the day for snacks and coffees. If you wish to relax by savouring a two or three course meal from our new set menu, you can do this either by turn- ing up on the day, or by booking in advance.
If you wish to book, please call Roux on 020 7734 0022. The menu changes fortnightly, and you can enjoy 2 courses for £7.95 or three courses for £10.50. I am sure you will agree these are amazing prices for wonderful food in the heart of London.
Just to whet your appetite, for a starter you might chose between a Strawberry, Galia Melon & Ginger Soup or Caramelised Red Onion & Chevre Feuillette with Mediterranean
Oil. For the main course, options such as Pan Fried Chicken Breast, Red Pepper Mousse, Spring Vegetable with Tarragon Beurre Noisette or Flat Mushroom & Butternut Squash Lasagne with Pak-Choi & Coriander Pesto might tempt you.
have added Bellefontaine Teret Sauvignon 1999/00 and Bellefontaine Syrah 1999/00 to the house wines. Throughout the wine list there are many other addi- tions, all at reasonable prices for BAFTA members.
Now, to move on to the events schedule. I wanted to take a moment to talk about bookings. All events are bookable and always have been. This is different from the screenings, and I would recommend that you always consult the monthly Events and Screenings Programme for details of how to obtain tickets for the screenings.
We now issue tickets for all events. It is true that sometimes a screening is also an event, such as the Cinéma Vérité in June, but these will be listed on the Events side of the pro- gramme so you know that they are bookable using the Events Booking Form.
There will be a list of names on the door as usual, but you should also bring your ticket to avoid any con- fusion. You should also
always carry your member- ship card when using the facilities here.
I am happy to accept email bookings. If you prefer to book in this way then just write to events@bafta.org. When writing it would really help if you could mention your membership number, whether you have a guest card, and the address you would like the tickets sent to.
By the way, regularly updated events information is also available on our web site or on the plasma screens in the members’ bar.
RECENT EVENTS
May certainly began with drama, as we prepared for the threat of May Day protesters heading down Piccadilly. Fortunately there were no problems and the 21st Century Drama event with the Writers’ Guild went ahead as planned. Thanks to all of you who still attended the event despite potential difficulties. With a lively panel of writers and produc- ers including Andy Harries, Sophie Balhetchet, Tony Marchant and Mike Bullen, it was commented that the panel fell into two camps – optimists vs. pessimists.
The National Endowment for Science and Technology in the Arts (NESTA) spon- sored The Hollywood of Education on May 21. Lord Puttnam opened the evening with a tribute to Roy Stringer, who was a member of BAFTA’s
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Finally, who could resist Roux’s fabulous Passion Fruit Delice with Mango Compote or a Chocolate Brownie smothered in a Strawberry Coulis? And all for less than a single course costs at most restaurants.
We have also revamped our wine list. We have kept the popular Chilean La Palmeria house wines and