London SE1 > News & Features > March 2000

Blair celebrates Labour centenary at Old Vic

Prime Minister Tony Blair last month hosted a Centenary Celebration for the Labour Party at the Old Vic Theatre in Waterloo.

A capacity audience of party members attended the event compèred by comedian and actor Stephen Fry, with contributions from famous Labour supporters including Tony Robinson, Timothy West and Prunella Scales.

The Old Vic, of which Peter Mandelson is a trustee, is within walking distance of three significant locations of in the history of the party: the Labour Representation Committee was formed in 1900 just across Blackfriars Bridge in Farringdon Street; for some years the party was based in Walworth Road just beyond the Elephant & Castle and on 2 May 1997 crowds gathered outside the Royal Festival Hall to join the impromptu celebration.