5 January 2009
David Suchet receives Freedom of the City of London
David Suchet OBE, the actor best known for bringing Agatha
Christie’s Hercule Poirot to life, will today (Wednesday 7 January
2009) receive the Freedom of the City of London with his wife,
Sheila, at the Guildhall in the ‘Square Mile’.
David was named Best Actor for his 2007 BBC role as tycoon
Robert Maxwell at the International Emmy Awards in New York in
November 2008.
He opens tonight (Weds) in the world première of ‘Complicit’ at
the Old Vic, directed by Kevin Spacey and co-starring Richard
Dreyfuss and Elizabeth McGovern. Filming for the new Poirot series
begins in March 2009.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
Until 1835, the Freedom of the City was essential to anyone who
wished to exercise a trade in the City. A number of ancient
privileges are associated with the Freedom - although they are more
a product of collective memory than of documented evidence. They
include the right to herd sheep over London Bridge, to be married
in St Paul's Cathedral, and to be drunk and disorderly without fear
of arrest. Today, the Freedom of the City, which has no real
privileges, is not an honour or award (except in the case of
Honorary Freedom), although many people who have lived or worked in
the City are proud to become part of its history by becoming
freemen. The Freedom is open to all who are genuinely interested,
and who meet the criteria set down by the City of London.
The City of London Corporation, which provides local government
services for the Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of
Britain, works nationally and internationally to maintain and
enhance the City as a world-leading international financial and
business centre. Its other special responsibilities and services to
London and the wider UK include the Barbican Arts Centre, the
Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open
space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale
food markets, two inner-London City Academies, the City Bridge
Trust, economic regeneration programmes in neighbouring boroughs
and acting as London’s Port Health Authority. The Lord Mayor of the
City of London (currently Ian Luder, an eminent tax accountant)
works extensively at home and abroad to promote the City.