::: George Christy ::: From the Beverly Hills Courier

ÒOurs is the largest private theatre in London Ð by one seat! And each of our 20l seats has the Audience Response System built into it. Those in the audience may press their buttons for producers to gauge reactions to whatÕs on the screen. Filmmakers and others are praising this as an invaluable tool. For live presentations we transmit the proceedings into meeting rooms that have audiences of more than 500 people whoÕll be privy to the event -- there are more technological cutting edge features,Ó says Charles Oak, the 41-years-young general manager of LondonÕs historic May Fair Hotel, lately renovated at a cost of $150 million. With King George V and Queen Mary in attendance, the May Fair Hotel opened in 1927, Hollywood royalty flocked to it for decades Ð and todayÕs cinema royals and the monarchy are impressed with Michael AttenboroughÕs opulent redesign. Within the exclusive Mayfair area in the heart of London -- near Piccadilly, Bond Street, Knightsbridge, Green Park and Buckingham Place -- the May Fair attracts Elton John, Jude Law, Pink, who filmed her video there, Sir Ian McKellen, Paul Simon, Genesis, Rupert Everett, Kimberly Stewart, Cher, Christina Aguilera. ÒLondonÕs beloved Dame Shirley Bassey arrived one evening when, coincidentally, her James Bond song, Goldfinger, happened to be playing in the background,Ó adds Charles. ÒElton and David Furnish were hosting a party in our penthouse suite with its sweeping city views, and while there were a few ÔqueensÕ about, Shirley was indisputably hailed as Queen of the Night.Ó Liverpool-born Charles has enjoyed a rewarding career, even having managed ScotlandÕs Skibo Castle that was built by Andrew Carnegie and was the scene of MadonnaÕs wedding to Guy Ritchie, which Charles orchestrated but canÕt discuss, having signed confidentiality agreements. Visiting Los Angeles, Charles was in the good hands of our chum, Maggie Begley, a PR champ in her field. Thanks to our career in journalism, weÕve been around any number of PR folks, and, frankly, any number of newcomers could take lessons from her. Maggie was squiring Charles and his colleagues, Linda Plant and Mara Bagley (no relation to Maggie), during their four-day Los Angeles stay, arranging meetings with folks at Access Hollywood, Sony, Focus Features, etc. We met for dinner at MortonÕs, one of our most comfortable and civilized dining rooms, with our visitors intrigued that MortonÕs been the scene of the annual Vanity Fair Oscar party. MortonÕs lease expires at the end of the year, with Nick Jones of the hugely successful SoHo House in London taking over the new rental of $80,000 a month (current rent is $20,000) to launch a private club. One assumes that Graydon CarterÕs fannybumper Vanity Fair party is up for grabs. Pam Morton reminds that MortonÕs has been with us for 30 years, and will remain open until Dec. 22. Wonderful down-to-earth food thatÕs delicious and unlike those foo-foo dishes at our new restaurants, with an elegant and spacious, high-ceilinged room where you can talk pleasantly, as Ruth Vitale and I did this week, without being overheard or blasted with insanely loud music. Repeat: MortonÕs is open and one of our loveliest romantic hangouts with its soft pink lighting. And Skip OsborneÕs a loyal waiter that weÕve all appreciated over the years. SkipÕs planning to retire to a Federal farmhouse in his native Ohio. In addition to that largest private theater in London, the hotelÕs Crystal Ballroom features the largest Baccarat chandelier in Europe, other Baccarat chandeliers, Fendi furnishings, an Asian-inspired spa with its signature Cleopatra mud bath, and thereÕs complimentary laundry service for workout gear. The May FairÕs signature suites are, says Charles, Òwhat we call our suite seductions,Ó with butler service, Bang & Olufsen plasma televisions, wireless broadband, European and American plug sockets, in-hotel mobile phones available if needed. Those guests may avail themselves of complimentary transportation in a chauffeur-driven Bentley for round-trip pickups within the M25 area (including Heathrow Airport). This past spring, the Evening Standard decreed the May Fair has the best hotel bar in London, nodding to bar manager and mixologist Marios Elias. And the Amba Bar & GrillÕs among LondonÕs newly favored restaurants with its emphasis on seasonal British produce, and a popular dish is the cottage pie prepared with Aberdeen Angus minced beef. Charles relates the tale of the late Queen Mother, who stayed at Ackergill Tower when he was the general manager. ÒHer nearby Castle of Mey was being restored, so she entertained family and friends with us,Ó notes Charles, whose Jack Russell terrier bonded with her, sat at her lap during meals and whenever possible. The Queen Mum soon suggested Charles find a mate for Lottie to bear a litter so that she might have one of her pups. After Lottie became pregnant, she birthed four infinitesimally tiny pups, with only one surviving and with Lottie meeting her Maker. ÒHaving lost Lottie, it wasnÕt in my heart to give the pup to the Queen Mum. I missed Lottie, so I named him Milton, after a village I grew up in, only to find weeks later that adorable Miltie was a Millie.Ó Our Maestro of Malibu, Tony Corfu of Taverna Tony reports that in September David Geffen will open his long-anticipated Malibu Beach Inn on Carbon Beach. Having undergone extensive renovations, the hotelÕs cosmopolitan ambiance will lure friends of the locals and tastemakers from around the world. Fireplaces in each of the 47 rooms, private balconies with ocean views, in-room wine racks, a membership club that affords access to the Carbon Beach Club Dining Room and the hotelÕs private beach, surfing lessons. Billionaire David is a luncheon regular with MalibuÕs Ron Meyer and Terry Semel on weekends at Taverna Tony, where every nightÕs a party with the best Greek food and live music a la Grecque. And always, the beloved and tireless Tony Corfu greeting us just plain folks, as well as Suzy and Jim Cameron, Charlize Theron, Kate Hudson, Clint Eastwood, Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack, Berry Gordy, Fergie, Tony Danza, John Stamos, Emmy Rossum, whoÕs there for lunch every day. TonyÕs roasted lamb draws raves, as do the grilled fish and the freshly whipped dips. A taste treat is the taracada Ð a smooth blend of taramosalata and avocado thatÕs served Òon the houseÓ as a teaser appetizer at every table. Dining at Spago, where the cuisine is five-star worthy, Mitzi Gaynor, fresh as a morning rose, was savoring the smoked salmon pizza, the heirloom tomato salad and crab cakes with fresh Maryland crab. ÒWhat is it with you guys? You men donÕt grow up, you just get bigger,Ó says Mitzi. Who she was dishing? Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his tryst of several years with Telemundo anchor Mirthala Salinas, who announced the breakup with his wife Corina while they were deep into their relationship. ÒSo Mr. MayorÕs sneaking into her Sherman Oaks apartment with take-out food and wine all these years. Did he think he wasnÕt going to be noticed? Please.Ó That day, the New York Post, with its circulation of more that 701,000, ran Cindy AdamsÕ column, revealing she knows more about L.A. than apparently we do. Cindy wrote, ÒWhat are they putting in the water out in L.A.? Richard Riordan, its former mayor, left his wife, Nancy, because, at age 73, he had two mistresses Ð one 43, one 34. Now youÕve maybe just heard that Antonio Villaraigosa, the townÕs current mayor, split with his wife of 20 years, with whom he has two kids. Why? Because he has a mistress Ð a Telemundo TV reporter who actually reported his June 8 marital split. But not to be outdone by the former mayor, who obviously has Viagra as well as chutzpah because he had two ladies-in-waiting, comes now Ôhush hush whisper whisper wink winkÕ word that Mayor Villaraigosa also has a backup mistress. As I understand it, his inauguration speech promised to look into the big problems Ð crime, corruption, condoms. Stay tuned for this ongoing saga titled Mistress: The Sequel.Ó ÒWhoÕll play Antonio and Mirthala?Ó asks Mitzi. She suggests Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. ÒAnd Mariah Carey and George Lopez starring in the sequel.Ó CastingÕs open for those supporting roles of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and former Los Angeles City Council President Alex Padilla, now a state senator, who both romanced girl-on-the-go Mirthala. Perhaps Wilmer Valderrama for Fabian, and Edward James Olmos for Senator Padilla? USC professor Laura Castaneda cautions the Los Angeles Times that the Antonio-Mirthala affair is Ònot going to go away. We have a high-profile Latino mayor É and for all we know she could become the first lady of Los Angeles. The best thing for everyone to do is to be upfront and put all the details out there for the public to see.Ó Online at www.bhcourier.com.