Arlene Phillips: Waitressing days will be handy for Ivy charity night

The former Strictly Come Dancing judge has been studying how staff at the Covent Garden restaurant work as she prepares to take part in next month’s charity “One Night Only” event
Retracing her steps: Arlene Phillips used to wait tables in between training as a ballet dancer
Lizzie Edmonds @lizzieedmo27 November 2017

Arlene Phillips will draw on her experience waiting tables as a young cash-strapped dancer when she joins other stars doing a shift at The Ivy.

The former Strictly Come Dancing judge has been studying how staff at the Covent Garden restaurant work as she prepares to take part in next month’s charity “One Night Only” event.

For the annual fundraiser, stars swap costumes for aprons and work the tables for two sittings in aid of charity Acting for Others.

Phillips, 74, said: “I cannot even imagine how stressful it is going to be. I was at The Ivy the other day having lunch and I was taking notes, looking at how fast they [the waiters] were, how social they were, how charming they have to be. I am going to have to really study that menu. And the specials.”

The dancer, who is working with Andrew Lloyd Webber on the revamped version of West End show Starlight Express, said: “I spent many years as a waitress. When I was young I worked in Manchester when all my money was going on getting another ballet lesson. Then when I moved to London I was waiting in between dancing too. I am hoping if anything goes wrong, then I will just do a few steps and turn it into a performance!”

Celebs at The Ivy - In pictures

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Actor Freddie Fox, 28, will also be waiting tables, having made cocktails in previous years. “I seem to naturally gravitate towards the bar,” he said. Other stars involved are Celia Imrie, Jemma Redgrave, Kate Thornton, Tamzin Outhwaite and Samantha Bond. At the event on December 10, there will be two dinner services, Acts I and II, at 6pm and 8.15pm. One table is reserved for dames and knights — with Sir Derek Jacobi and Dame Maggie Smith already confirmed to attend.

Guests have a three-course dinner with aperitif and wine for £250 per person, £150 of which goes to Acting for Others. The project is an umbrella organisation for 15 charities dedicated to supporting people from the theatre and dance communities who have fallen on hard times through injury, illness or circumstance. After dinner, there is an auction. Over £100,000 was raised last year.

To book a table, go to the-ivy.co.uk or call 020 7836 4751.

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