An Audience with Nigella Lawson at The Lowry Manchester Review

Reviewed by Dianne Hartley

Nigella Lawson became a household name in 1998 when she published her debut cookbook, How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food. With a charming style of writing and her relaxed approach to cooking she has inspired a new generation of home cooks.

She already has eleven bestselling books and several hit TV series which have made her a global food icon. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of her first book today she is at the Lyric Theatre in The Lowry, Manchester.

This is my first visit to the Lyric Theatre and is the largest of three theatres based in The Lowry in Salford Keys. It’s easy to get to via car and parking is reasonable in The Lowry Outlet at £1 per hour up to 4 hours. This performance was in the afternoon but there is a pre-paid evening rate for theatre visits of £6 available from 5pm so time to catch a pre-show meal. You can also get the Metrolink from Manchester City Centre on the MediacityUK line and get off at MediacityUK stop.

The stage was set with 2 comfortable looking chairs and Bee Wilson, a food journalist and author introduced Nigella to her adoring public. The theatre was packed, and she glided onto the stage in a stunning leopard print dress.

The first half of the interview began with Bee explaining that the copy the ‘How to Eat’ cookbook she was holding was in fact her 4th copy as her previous copies had been so well used she had to keep replacing them. Bee had a fangirl enthusiasm throughout the interview which I found quite delightful. Nigella was even more charming than she comes across on screen, was very amusing and seemed to be genuinely enjoying the interview and reminiscing with the audience. She explained how she never cooks with music on as she loves to hear the sounds that food makes and why she loves Italian food so much, having worked there as a chambermaid when she was 19.

She spoke candidly about her late husband, journalist John Diamond who passed away with oral cancer and her guilt but determination not to let this destroy her love of food and cooking as he was unable to eat. An amusing anecdote about her Googling a recipe for something on-line and realising the first one that popped up was one of her own that she had forgotten had the audience laughing all the way to the interval.

The second half was given over to the audience to ask the questions. I personally would have preferred Bee to continue asking the questions as most of the questions asked were fairly dull, but my favourite was the lady who asked Nigella what would be her last meal. Nigella started with Spicy Sausage with Oysters, Linguine and Clams, Roast Chicken with Petit Pois (frozen are fine) Mashed Potatoes and Roast, a Steak Béarnaise and the stinkiest Blue Cheese she could find, then Passion Fruit Pavlova and the best Dark Chocolate to finish… a girl after my own heart!

The final question asked Nigella what were the main five staples she has in her kitchen. For future reference they are Vermouth, Marsala, Anchovies, Preserved Lemons and Saki.

This was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon and I was totally enthralled by the lovely Nigella. After the show she spent a long time in the foyer after the show signing copies of her books that fans had brought along with them, some with 4-5 in tow – what a babe!

Rating: 5/5

For other shows The Lowry in Manchester visit www.thelowry.com or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.

The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000