Michael Portillo, former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Conservative politician turned broadcaster, visited the Isle of Wight on Saturday to officially open the refurbished Shanklin Theatre bar.
Mr Portillo retired from the House of Commons and from active politics at the 2005 general election and has since pursued his media interests, presenting and participating in a wide range of television and radio programmes. His passion for steam trains led him to make the BBC documentary series Great British Railway Journeys, in which he travels the British railway networks.
Mr Portillo was invited to cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the theatre’s refurbished bar before going on stage to present his show to a sold-out theatre audience – Life: ‘A Game of Two Halves’.
Janet Wardle, Chairman of the Friends of Shanklin Theatre, welcomed Mr Portillo to Shanklin. He was then introduced to the volunteer maintenance team – led by Neil Reader – who carried out the refurbishment. The theatre’s volunteer bar team were also present.
A complimentary bottle of red wine was presented to Mr Portillo after meeting the theatre’s managing director David Kast, director Vic Farrow and Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust chairman, Chris Quirk.
Likely would have made a really good PM. Seems caring enough, a real sense of loving history, yet not too wishy-washy.
totally agree a future prime minister
The best we ‘never had’.
That is some impressively tall hair there (or is it just the camera angle?)
Such a nice theatre check out there website to see what’s on. Got to keep an eye out as you never know when they put on more show’s