SPOTLIGHT: The Ivy Club London

Blue Aurora Media
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SPOTLIGHT is a new podcast magazine show with an ‘access all areas’ pass to life at The Ivy Club in London – an iconic and exclusive venue located above the original Ivy restaurant in West Street, at the confluence of bustling Soho and Covent Garden in the heart of theatre land. While aimed primarily at members, everyone can gain a sense of the magic, energy and variety that has made this such a legendary venue. Club member, award-winning producer and broadcaster, Jonathan Levy, presents event reviews and previews, wrapped up in conversation, nipping behind the scenes and out in theatre land.

Episodes

  1. FEB 21

    New Year 2026

    Welcome to the latest edition of our regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. In this episode we kick off the new year with another eclectic mix of stories recorded around the events and characters that make the club so special. Here’s the running order of features: 00:00:00            Introduction 00:01:55              Meet club member and former England Rugby 7s captain Ollie Phillips, ahead of him hosting the annual club sports quiz. This intrepid sportsman and explorer has sailed the world as an ambassador for Great Britain, then set a Guinness World Record on the North Pole, broke two world records on Everest, cycled across America, swam the English channel, has just returned from rowing the Atlantic – he was head of the Olympic programme in China, worked at PWC for ten years and now runs his own leadership development company: Optimist Performance. The sports quiz raised funds for the “My Name’5 Doddie” motor neurone disease charity, as did Ollie’s Atlantic row. 00:08:40              The first of three dips into the recent new members’ social reception in the Piano Bar. Jonathan mingles with guests to extend the hand of friendship and discover guests’ signature cocktails of choice – including the classic Twinkle. 00:14:10              The Piano Bar menu is on hand to offer snacks or something more substantial, to soak up the evening's cocktails. We chat to restaurant manager Leah McDermott to discover what’s new on the culinary hit list.                                                                                                                                                   00:17:15                 Meanwhile, back at the new (and old) members’ reception we meet up with Christian. His love of Scotch Whisky is detailed although not strong enough to sample Haggis on Burns Night – another great club event hosted in the Drawing Room restaurant, with traditional tributes to Robbie Burns provided by ‘Revels in Hand’ – Scotch Whisky cocktails and single malts courtesy of The Singleton. 00:23:35              A timely opportunity to rejoin restaurant manager Leah Alice McDermott to discover what’s on the new Drawing Room menu...some very mouthwatering dishes from sea bass sashimi to braised veal meat balls, fillet of cod and a Thai red curry with roasted duck! 00:28:30              Ageing Disgracefully! The second event on this popular theme hosted in The Loft by member Jo Dalton exploring ‘midlife and thriving’. Her panel for the evening included actress and comedienne Helen Lederer; Longevity and human optimisation specialist Dr Ash Kapoor, founder of the Levitas Group; and an entrepreneur who’s liberating singles and couples every day - Emma Sayle, the founder and CEO of Killing Kittens. 00:33:40              We return to the Piano Bar for the final time to chat with new members and a common love of an extra dry gin martini. Plus a quick chat with Lizzy Moore and a reminder that members can have dinner with LBC Radio host Nick Ferrari, with some revealing insights (no doubt) on Friday 6 March in the Drawing Room. 00:38:45              The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry has recently opened for a limited run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Spotlight attended the launch and opening night. We talk to press event host Gaby Roslin, actor Mark Addy who plays Harold Fry, Mike Rosenberg (Passenger) who wrote all the songs for the musical, author and writer Rachel Joyce, Australian actor Noah Mullins, making his West End debut in the role of the Balladeer. On opening night, we hear from cast, production team, audience and reviewers. 00:48:40              Closing review A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. Our opening and closing signature music is ‘Lover PleaseStay’ (instrumental) by the Shtriker Big Band. Ageing Disgracefully intro featured ‘Tulips’ by Omri Smadar. Both published by Artlist.

    50 min

  2. 12/27/2025 ·  BONUS

    Santa Paws Special

    This is a special bonus episode offering an extended version of our Santa Paws feature on the Festive Fun edition of our regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. Opening music is ‘Ornaments’ by the Earth Tone, published by Artlist. Incidental piano music was recorded live in The Ivy Club - London, performed by Joe Thompson.

    15 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    Festive Fun

    This is a special festive edition of our regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. Here’s the running order of features: 00:00:00              Introduction featuring show host Jonathan Levy joined by The Ivy Club General Manager Suzanne Shaheen 00:02:50              Halloween festivities weekend medley of four incredible events. 00:16:40              Club member Jo Dalton talks about the hit event and ‘Ageing Disgracefully’ 00:22:30              Bookmarked guest author Eleanor Doughty provides insights into the modern British Aristocracy in her latest book Heirs and Graces  00:24:30           Santa Paws – the annual canine Christmas fancy dress extravaganza 00:33:15              The Ivy Cricket Club with Chris Carey  00:36:00              Christmas Carols sing-a-long with Joe Thompson and Sally Creedon 00:39:00              Closing summary of forthcoming events A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. Episode three is planned for early February 2026 Our opening and closing signature music is ‘Lover PleaseStay’ (instrumental) by the Shtriker Big Band, published by Artlist. Incidental music was recorded live in The Ivy Club London

    44 min

  4. 12/19/2025 ·  BONUS

    Première - Highlights edition

    This is a special cut-down version of our bumper launchedition of this new regular magazine show shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. In this ‘highlights’ episode we present a shorter edit of stories recorded around the events and characters that make the club so special. Here’s the running order: 00:00    Introduction 01:45    The charm of NoëlCoward: The Ivy was one of Coward’s favourite restaurants, so it was quite appropriate for the Club to host a special evening in his honour. We hear from the event’s producer, New York based Liz Law; panel host Charles Isherwood – theatre critic for the Wall Street Journal; biographer Oliver Soden; actor ArtyFroushan who recently played Coward in the film Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale. (Soundtrack extract courtesy Focus Features) 07:30    Club member and author Lizzy Moore shares memories of the Piano Bar - when it was her father’s office. Imagine it in a bygone era, stripped back to an unpretentious room occupied by two high-powered hospitality entrepreneurs and their ‘scary’secretary. 08:40    Leadershiplessons from Professor John Amaechi. Do you see yourself as a leader? Well maybe we’re all leaders but it’s not magic according to a former professional basketball player turned psychologist, consultant and all-round leadership guru. His latest book examines the ‘ordinary skills of exceptional leaders.’ 14:15 October is Black History Month and a group of members and their guests came together in The Loft to host a special evening exploring the experiences of people of colour in the creative sector, especially in film, television and theatre.  The panel was chaired by James Blue, an Emmy and Peabody award-winning TV exec. based in New York; Derren Lawford from DAREPictures (who made The Ivy documentary) named Emerging Indie of the Year; Channel 4 News senior correspondent/presenter Ayshah Tull; Theatre producer and NAACP award recipient Tegan Summer. 19:50    Club piano legend Joe Thompson and his life in 32 bars. He has been at the Club since it was a building site over 17 years ago. He couldn’t get off for good behaviour so now his little dog Daisy (who steals all the Piano Bar limelight) ensures he turns up on time…and gets home safely. Joe is also curating a series ofperformances at the Club for the EFG London Jazz Festival this November. 24:50    Suzanne Shaheen recently became general manager at the Club and joins Jonathan at the ‘naughty corner’ of the bar on her first 100+ days in West Street.  27:55    The Ivy Club offers some great theatre deals combining a night at the theatre with dining in the Drawing Room. On 3rd November members attended the much-anticipated new production of Othello, adapted and directed by Tom Morris at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The Shakespeare masterpiece is a psychological thriller. We go back-stage ahead of the first preview to meet Caitlin FitzGerald who plays Desdemona and Vinette Robinson who plays Emilia. A fascinating conversation ensues about their female characters, the portrayal of women in the theatre and the sad fact that, in Britain today, around two women a week are killed by men, many who are their partners. Othello is playing until 17 January 2026. David Harewood stars as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago, with the mood-setting music created by P J Harvey. (Dialogue and music extracts featured in this report courtesyChris Harper Productions) 33:45    Closing review A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. Our opening and closing signature music is ‘Lover PleaseStay’ (instrumental) by the Shtriker Big Band, published by Artlist. Incidental piano music was recorded live in The Ivy Club London – Noel Coward accompaniment played by Robert Hazle on behalf of The Noël Coward Archive Trust; Jazz numbers performed by Joe Thompson on piano and accompanying musicians.

    35 min

  5. 10/27/2025

    The Première

    Welcome to the première of the SPOTLIGHT podcast. This is a bumper launch edition of this new regular magazineshow shining a spotlight on life at The Ivy Club in London. In this special ‘feature length’ episode we present an eclectic mix of stories recorded around the events and characters that make the club so special: 00:01:56              The charm of Noël Coward: The Ivy was one of Coward’s favourite restaurants, so it was quite appropriate for the Club to host a special evening in his honour. We hear from the event’s producer, New York based Liz Law; panel host Charles Isherwood – theatre critic for the Wall Street Journal; biographer Oliver Soden; actor Arty Froushan who recently played Coward in the film Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale. (Soundtrack extract courtesy Focus Features) 00:09:30              Club member and author Lizzy Moore shares memories of the Piano Bar - when it was her father’s office. Imagine it in a bygone era, stripped back to an unpretentious room occupied by two high-powered hospitality entrepreneurs and their ‘scary’ secretary. 00:13:50              Leadership lessons from Professor John Amaechi. Do you see yourself as a leader? Well maybe we’re all leaders but it’s not magic according to a former professionalbasketball player turned psychologist, consultant and all-round leadership guru. His latest book examines the ‘ordinary skills of exceptional leaders.’ 00:17:25              Happy Hour: What’s your favourite cocktail? Have you considered how it might be improved, maybe incorporating more premium ingredients? Well, that’s something the team here are constantly reviewing. We sneak into the Club’s cocktail lab to chat with alchemist of alcohol Jean Vital 00:25:45              October is Black History Month and a group of members and their guests came together in The Loft to host a special evening exploring the experiences of people ofcolour in the creative sector, especially in film, television and theatre.  The panel was chaired by James Blue, an Emmyand Peabody award-winning TV exec. based in New York; Derren Lawford from DARE Pictures (who made The Ivy documentary) named Emerging Indie of the Year; Channel 4 News senior correspondent/presenter Ayshah Tull; Theatre producer and NAACP award recipient Tegan Summer. 00:35:00              Club piano legend Joe Thompson and his life in 32 bars. He has been at the Club since it was a building site over 17 years ago. He couldn’t get off for good behaviour so now his little dog Daisy (who steals all the Piano Bar limelight) ensures he turns up on time…and gets home safely. Joe is also curating a series of performances at the Club for the EFG London Jazz Festival this November. 00:50:30              Lizzy Moore (continued) has two Ivy Club Salons featuring superb authors in mid-November: On the 14th there’s Andrew Pierce and Sarah Vine and on the 19th Kate and Greg Mosse. 00:57:00              Suzanne Shaheen recently became general manager at the Club and joins Jonathan at the ‘naughty corner’ of the bar on her first 100+ days in West Street. 01:01:55             On 3rd November members are attending the much-anticipated new production of Othello, adapted and directed by Tom Morris at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. We go back-stage ahead of the first preview to meet Caitlin FitzGerald who plays Desdemona and Vinette Robinson who plays Emilia. A fascinating conversation ensues about their female characters, the portrayal of women in the theatre and the sad fact that, in Britain today, around two women a week are killed by men, many who are their partners. Othello is playing until17 January 2026. David Harewood stars as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago, with the mood-setting music created by P J Harvey. (Dialogue and music extracts featured in this report courtesy Chris Harper Productions) A Blue Aurora Media Production for The Ivy Club. (c) Copyright 2025 - All Rights Reserved Episode two is planned for mid-December!

    1h 14m

  6. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Season 1 Teaser

    A few tantalising clips from the bumper 'feature length' launch episode of SPOTLIGHT - an 'Access All Areas' pass to life in one of the world's most famous member clubs drawn from the theatrical, arts and creative communities - with a pedigree dating back over a century to its roots in the original Ivy restaurant in West Street, London. Episode 1 drops the last week of October.

    2 min

Trailer

About

SPOTLIGHT is a new podcast magazine show with an ‘access all areas’ pass to life at The Ivy Club in London – an iconic and exclusive venue located above the original Ivy restaurant in West Street, at the confluence of bustling Soho and Covent Garden in the heart of theatre land. While aimed primarily at members, everyone can gain a sense of the magic, energy and variety that has made this such a legendary venue. Club member, award-winning producer and broadcaster, Jonathan Levy, presents event reviews and previews, wrapped up in conversation, nipping behind the scenes and out in theatre land.

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