From the desk of Penelope Alice, Britain’s most fabulous PA: Performing Artistes’ speakers’ drinks party

I do love to mingle with the great and the good whenever I get the chance and an event I attended this week gave me the perfect opportunity to do so. Those delightful people at Performing Artistes, JJ and Matt, plus their PR guru Alec, invited me to a speakers’ drinks party in the refined ambience of the Institute of Directors.

It was an excellent turnout and I spotted lots of famous faces – in fact, the effect was akin to being in a branch of Madame Tussaud’s where all the figures have come to life. There was Falklands hero Simon Weston, Olympic Gold medallist Tessa Sanderson and comedian Stephen K Amos for a start. They were joined by that doyenne of Fleet Street, Eve Pollard, a businessman best known for his infamous gaffe, former jewellery chain boss Gerald Ratner, and venerable broadcaster John Sargeant.

I was lucky enough to catch up with Simon for a brief chat – he was looking in the pink of health and confided that he’s stopped drinking (apart from a brief hiatus over the Christmas holidays – well, it would be rude not to really) and feels far better for it, having shed some weight as an unexpected benefit.

Tessa, who was wearing a gorgeous electric blue top, told me all about the kind of speaking engagements she’s asked to do – she works right across the board and is in demand for lots of different events, from high-profile corporate clients to school presentations. Her speaking duties don’t fase her in the slightest, but she admitted that she had recently undertaken a very nerve-wracking professional commitment: an episode of BBC quiz show Pointless Celebrities.

A trio of magicians was on hand to perform some very clever tricks with a balloon, a bottle and a tablecloth and further entertainment was provided by quick-witted Irish-Iranian stand-up artist Patrick Monahan and newcomer Chris Turner.

This young lad, a mere 24 years old, (he did bring out my motherly streak, I must confess) has an astonishing way with words that he showcased brilliantly in an impromptu rap routine incorporating various random words from the audience, such as triangle and euphemism.

I cornered him later to ask whether the words had been supplied by ‘plants’, but he assured me it was all genuine – quite astonishing, this guy is certainly one to watch. Now if only I can wangle it so that Mr P coughs up the necessary moolah, we could hire him to liven up this year’s AGM.

This blog originally appeared on the PA Life Club site. To read more of Penelope Alice’s blog entries and get access to a range of fantastic benefits, including discounts and special deals at dozens of selected retailers and venues, as well as exclusive monthly competitions, networking events and 50% off PA Life’s new training courses, click here: palife.co.uk/pa-life-club