The Great Train Journeys bring Michael Portillo to Workington
22 January, Carnegie Theatre, Workington Michael Portillo
You would be excused for wondering why a former Conservative cabinet minister who was a favourite of Maggie Thatcher would come to Workington for a public speaking engagement.
Workington has been a Labour stronghold forever and as a rising star of the Tories in the 80’s and 90’s Michael Portillo would have found it difficult to get anyone to listen to him in a pub, let alone fill the Carnegie Theatre.
It was a political career of highs and great lows, most notably his ‘Portillo” moment when he lost his seat of Enfield South in the 1997 general election. It was a humbling loss for the former Defence Secretary who had a swing of over 17 percent against him. It was not the end his career but the graciousness he displayed that night was Westminsters loss and ‘The Great Railway Journeys’ gain.
Retiring from politics in 2005 he grabbed his trusty Bradshaw’s Guide and filled a suitcase with his most flamboyant coloured smart-casual wear. Michael took to the railways and the world of television presenting where his easygoing charm and enthusiasm endeared him to worldwide audiences ever since.
Great Railway Journeys is so popular that Bradshaw’s Guide, a book intended for use by travellers in the 1860’s, made the bestseller list over 150 years after it was first published.
“Although the shows are called Great Railway Journeys the programmes are largely driven by history and a sense of fun as well, the important thing is not necessarily being on a train but getting off in interesting places where we can tell a stories, mainly history stories but then kind of relating those to the present day.” said Michael.
I confess I was won over quite early in our phone call as I gushed how much I loved the Indian series.
“India was quite a highlight for me, incredible colour and noise, it was tremendous. I could also get my teeth into the story of the British Raj, what it did well and what it did badly. I really like to bring the audience into some difficult stories like that.”
I’m keen to ask about his experience of the Indian Railways but he beats me to the next question.
“Are you Australian?”
I tell him I am and just like that I’m not in control of this interview any more. Like all public speakers Michael is very accomplished talker and I have no hope of pursuing my agenda so I sit back and go along for the ride. He’s keen to cover his recent trip to Australia filming the Great Railway Journeys and I’m instantly intrigued when he mentions Puffing Billy. It’s a 120 year old heritage railway in the Dandenong Mountain Ranges that border Melbourne. The narrow-guage steam with its wooden trestle bridges is also a very fond childhood memory of mine.
I tell him of happy days back in the 1980’s, how my brothers and I would hang out the side of the carriages with our eyes stinging from the coal soot. Michael slips easily into presenter mode and describes a train journey I remember vividly.
My mum is a bit of a Portillo superfan so I’d rung her that morning to let her know I’d be speaking to him. It was the best research ever and with a comprehensive list of Portillo facts I was ready with a quick answer when Michael struggled to remember the tiny Australian town of Birregurra. I considered pointing out that I grew up an hour away and although I was tempted to see where this new tangent lead, I couldn’t indulge my nostalgia further. I bring the topic back to his talk at the Carnegie Theatre.
“I enjoy talking with people and I’m happy to answer questions. From politics to filming, I’m happy to talk about anything.”
A night with Michael is certain to cover a lot of ground. A portion of the audience will be there to pick apart his his political career but there will also be a whole section there specifically for the trains, that’s why the talk is named ‘Life: A game of two halves’. I wish the audience luck trying to control the narrative, it will be tough because if our phone call is anything to go by we also covered sheep shearing, the Carlisle to Settle Railway and inevitably, Brexit.
Michael spends the summer filming and with his winter free for touring his timetable brings him to the Carnegie Theatre on the 22nd of January.
You might not be a fan of his politics but his affable attitude on television is no act and the talk at The Carnegie Theatre is sure to be captivating.
For more information or to book tickets please visit carnegietheatre.co.uk
Photos courtesy of Puffing Billy
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