Love It Local events is pleased to present Michael Portillo—A Life of Two Halves on Friday 28th November Secretary of State. Traveller. TV superstar. The inimitable Michael Portillo joins us live on stage to share funny, insightful, and poignant stories from his extraordinarily rich and varied life.
A Life of Two Halves
The son of a refugee who rose to become one of Britain’s leading politicians and best loved broadcasters, Michael Portillo’s life has been a game of two halves. As a statesman he served under Margaret Thatcher, ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party, and lost his seat in one of the most famous moments in British political history, only to become one of the nation’s favourite broadcasters, sparring with Diane Abbott and Andrew O’Neill and enthralling millions of us with his travels on the world’s greatest railways.Unique Stage Show
In this unique stage show, Michael will share his life story, from his late father’s experiences of the Spanish Civil War and escape to England, where he and Michael’s mother met while looking after refugee children, all the way to his present-day adventures travelling across Spain, the USA, India, and beyond. We’ll hear Michael’s funny and insightful observations about his old boss Margaret Thatcher and his reflections on the decay of political power. He’ll tell us about his break into TV – including the time he became a single mum… And, of course, we’ll hear about the great railway journeys he has undertaken and what they can tell us about the history and state of the world today. Whether you are passionate about politics or a fan of Michael’s many international adventures, this is an unmissable treat. All aboard!Funny and insightful
We’ll hear Michael’s funny and insightful observations about his old boss Margaret Thatcher and his reflections on the decay of political power. He’ll tell us about his break into TV – including the time he became a single mum… And, of course, we’ll hear about the great railway journeys he has undertaken and what they can tell us about the history and state of the world today. Whether you are passionate about politics or a fan of Michael’s many international adventures, this is an unmissable treat. All aboard!About Michael Portillo:
From the corridors of Westminster to the world’s greatest railway journeys, Michael Portillo has led a life of fascinating contrasts. Educated at Harrow County grammar school and Peterhouse, Cambridge, he entered Parliament in 1984 and went on to serve for over a decade as a minister, including a pivotal role as Secretary of State for Defence. After leaving frontline politics, Michael reinvented himself as one of Britain’s most recognisable broadcasters and writers. A familiar face on This Week and The Moral Maze, he has also charmed audiences worldwide with his celebrated Great British Railway Journeys series, later expanding his travels across Europe, the USA, Asia, and Australia. Alongside his acclaimed documentaries, Michael has chaired prestigious cultural awards such as the Man Booker Prize and the Art Fund Prize, and today continues to present new travel travelogues on TV as well as his own Sunday GB News programme. His latest BBC project for 2025 is ‘200 Years of the Railways’, which marks a landmark anniversary in railway history. Doors open at 6:45 PM, Event starts at 7:30 PM| Ticket Tier | Seats | Price | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIP Tickets | The first 20 seats, closest to the stage | £65 | Best view of the stage, Meet & Greet, signed book, photo, and autograph. |
| Premium Plus Tickets | Seats 21–40, immediately behind VIP | £50 | Fantastic view of the stage |
| Premium Tickets | Seats 41–200, immediately behind VIP | £40 | Excellent line of sight |
| Standard Tickets | All remaining seats, seats 200-360 | £30 | Great atmosphere |
