Joan Collins dishes on London and lucky charms
Joan Collins at a signing for her new book 'Passion For Life' in London Oct., 26, 2013
Photo: Getty Images
Over the course of her more than 60 years in show business, Joan Collins has practically done it all, seen it all and been everywhere. Now the London-born actress — best known as the devilish Alexis Carrington from “Dynasty” — is coming to New York, where she’ll headline the one-woman show “One Night With Joan” on Nov. 5 at Midtown’s B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (bbkingblues.com). The show — which Collins debuted in London — mixes dishy details about her celebrated career along with insidery anecdotes, vintage television and film footage and even an unusually personal question-and-answer session. Equally candid and humorous, Collins will reveal stories about her five marriages, her on-set tussles with the likes of Bette Davis and how she lost out on playing Cleopatra to sapphire-eyed Elizabeth Taylor. As she geared up to wow Gothamites, Collins spoke about her favorite hotels, her love of London parks and how Gregory Peck inspired her upcoming show.
I have a home in Los Angeles, but I still love the Beverly Hills Hotel, where I’ve gone since arriving in Hollywood as a young starlet (dorchestercollection.com). My sister (novelist Jackie Collins) and I love the Fountain Coffee Room, which is great for bacon and eggs in the morning. We also love The Polo Lounge.
In London, I just adore Claridge’s — which is one of the most elegant and beautifully run hotels in the world (claridges.co.uk). Fashion illustrator David Downton drew my portrait in the hotel’s Royal Suite back in 2011. It’s now part of Claridge’s permanent archives.
I live between four places — London, New York, Los Angeles and the south of France — so I seem to spend most of my time on a plane.
One of my favorite holiday spots has to be the south of France. I’ve been in love with this area since I first visited as a teenager — there is something very magical about the sky, the air and the food. The area around St. Tropez is wonderful, though I prefer the late spring or autumn once the crowds are gone.
When I fly, I am never without my wonderful charm necklace — which is long and crafted from gold and filled with 40-odd charms given to me by friends and family. I’ve had it for years and it has charms ranging from a horseshoe to the Eiffel Tower.
My secret London spot for rest and relaxation has to be St. James Park — which I think is divine. It’s close to Buckingham Palace and has the most wonderful flower-beds all year long (royalparks.org.uk).
It’s difficult to select one New York restaurant as my favorite, but I was just at Cipriani on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street the other day and really adore it (cipriani.com). Their baked tagliatelle is great and I love how I always see friends there. It feels almost like a club.
It was Gregory Peck who told me to do my stage show. About 15 years ago we were speaking about how roles dry up for women over 40, and he suggested I create my own show. I’m excited about doing it in New York — New York audiences just really seem to get it.
If Alexis Carrington was around today, I think you’d find her living between London and Paris. She probably would commute by Eurostar to avoid that ghastly experience known as commercial air travel (eurostar.com). Sadly, I’m not sure she could still afford a private plane, but one could only hope.
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