On May 1st 2014 a series of 32 talks on famous Londoners took place on the EDF Energy London Eye. The event was curated by Suzette Field of A Curious Invitation and Antique Beat. In the fifteen years since it was first built the London Eye has come to be regarded as perhaps the capital's most iconic landmark. So what more fitting place could there be to host a series of thirty-two talks on some of the men and women who helped make London one of the world's pre-eminent cities? On May 1st 2014 the London Eye will be set to a special slow rotation speed and each of its 32 capsules will be given over to a talk by a well-known authority on a famous Londoner. The subjects will range from Thomas Becket to Joseph Bazalgette, from WS Gilbert to Ray Davies and from Queen Victoria to Zadie Smith. The lecturers themselves will be a roll call of those who have contributed to the capital's cultural legacy: from former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, to ex-Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, film director Julien Temple, broadcaster Robert Elms and biographers Claire Tomalin and Kate Williams. As you soar high over two thousand years of London's history in the hands of our expert guides what better insight could you have into the lives and works of the influential figures who have shaped the heritage, culture and image of our ancient and celebrated capital? To commemorate the occasion Hendrick's Gin have devised 32 bespoke cocktails, one in honour of each London borough. Each guest will be served a complimentary cocktail of their choice during the lecture. After disembarkation there will be an opportunity to share a drink with your fellow participants and speakers and discuss this singular and inspirational event. 32 Londoners has been curated by a Curious Invitation and Antique Beat as a unique experience intended to strengthen the cultural connection of Londoners with the city in which they live and work. http://32londoners.com/ THE TALKS Anne Duggan on THOMAS BECKET - Saint, b. 1118 Cheapside Henry Eliot on GEOFFREY CHAUCER - Poet, b.1343 London Dan Cruickshank on JOHN STOW - Historian, b. 1525 Cornhill Claire Tomalin on SAMUEL PEPYS - Diarist, b. 1633 Fleet Street Martin Rowson on WILLIAM HOGARTH - Satirist, b. 1697 Clerkenwell Ian Kelly on BEAU BRUMMELL - Dandy, b. 1778 St James Matt Brown on MICHAEL FARADAY - Scientist, b. 1791 Southwark Sir Andrew Motion on JOHN KEATS - Poet, b. 1795 Moorgate Kate Williams on QUEEN VICTORIA - Monarch, b. 1819 Kensington Stephen Halliday on JOSEPH BAZALGETTE - Engineer, b. 1819 Enfield Martin Lamb on WS GILBERT - Composer, b. 1836 The Strand Essie Fox on MARIE LLOYD - Singer, b. 1870 Hoxton Geoffrey Beare on WILLIAM HEATH ROBINSON - Cartoonist, b. 1872 Finsbury Park Charles Elford on SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR - Composer, b. 1875 Holborn Ken Livingstone on HERBERT MORRISON - Politician, b. 1888 Stockwell Bryony Dixon on CHARLIE CHAPLIN - Actor, b. 1889 Walworth Nathalie Morris on ALFRED HITCHCOCK - Film Director, b. 1899 Leytonstone D J Taylor on EVELYN WAUGH - Writer, b. 1903 West Hampstead Hugo Vickers on CECIL BEATON - Photographer, b. 1904 Hampstead Peter Berthoud on PHYLIS PEARSALL - Inventor of the A-Z, b. 1906 East Dulwich Jude Kelly on JOAN LITTLEWOOD - Theatre director, b. 1914 Stockwell David Stafford on LIONEL BART - Composer, b. 1930 Stepney Kate Kray on THE KRAYS - Gangsters, b. 1933 Hoxton Robert Elms on ADAM FAITH - Pop Star, b. 1940 Acton Grant Fleming on BOBBY MOORE - Footballer, b. 1941 Barking Julien Temple on RAY DAVIES - Musician, b. 1944 Muswell Hill Geoffrey Marsh on DAVID BOWIE - Musician, b. 1947 Brixton DJ Nihal on JAZZIE B - Music producer, b. 1963 Hornsey Gavin Evans on LENNOX LEWIS - Boxer, b. 1965 West Ham Jacqueline Shaw on OZWALD BOATENG - Fashion designer, b. 1967 Muswell Hill Lesley-Ann Jones on NAOMI CAMPBELL - Model, b. 1970 Streatham Philippa Thomas on ZADIE SMITH - Writer, b. 1975 Brent

• published: 30 May 2014
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