Bonny Morris
With the hotel’s opening fast approaching, September seems to have gone past without our even noticing. The office has been a hive of activity, with the phones ringing, people rushing from here to there, and every now and again the sound of the kettle, as someone does a round of much needed tea.
With each visit to the Savoy, things alter: scaffolding and builders having been replaced by luxurious furniture, flocks of staff-in-training rehearsing serving tea and cake, and practising the perfect shake of a cocktail mixer. Two weeks ago (was it really that recent?) saw the historic baby grand take up its place in the Thames Foyer, and we had the joy of taking our freshly selected pianists into the space to try out the ivories.
With enough time for a hasty visit from some cabaret musicians to take place last Thursday, the brand new piano arrived in the Beaufort Bar, which has since played host to fabulous performances from Anita Louise Combe and Nicola Emmanuelle, and will be sure to have another from Morgan Crowley tonight. It is impossible to describe the bar “in action” to someone who hasn’t seen it – the atmosphere is so sensual, with the incredible décor superbly enhancing the shining black piano. There is no place I can think of better suited to a cabaret!
So we continue to find our feet in preparation for the arrival of 10.10.10; with questions and answers flying back and forth, paperwork crossing oceans to find globetrotting musicians, and as much detail as possible being gathered into one place, it feels rather like I imagine the North Pole to feel, the week leading up to Christmas.
