Robert Popper: The Elsie Drake Letters
Join Robert Popper, creator of Friday Night Dinner, as he discusses his new book of brilliantly funny prank letters with author and comedian Cariad Lloyd.
Mrs Elsie Drake, aged 104 and the sixth oldest woman in Britain, fires off dozens of bizarre letters to everyone from the Prime Minister to Greggs Bakeries.
Whether attempting to become the new Arsenal mascot dressed as a giant hare, or simply sending Sainsbury’s a load of meat, no one can escape the clutches of Elsie Drake.
At this special event, Popper discusses the inspiration behind Elsie, and tells us all about the famous people who wrote back.
We also hear some of Popper’s letter-related mishaps, including a visit from the police sent by Number 10, and discover the best way to mail a tuna, beef and banana pie to Greggs.
Gloriously funny and ridiculously silly, The Elsie Drake Letters is also testament to the wonderful kindness and good humour of the British public, who all wrote back to Elsie.
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Purcell Room is an auditorium located within our Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
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Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.