2007 Gala Invitation (pictured left) Gala Dinner Program Booklet Soane Foundation Honorees Masque Script by Chippy Irvine     Click Images for a Larger View Photos by Matthew Gillis Photography

Sir John Soane’s Museum in London, revered equally by modern, post-modern, and classical architects, was the benefactor of a Spring Gala on April 25 at the Rainbow Room. Organized by Sir John Soane's Museum Foundation, based in New York, this year’s gala was an evening of dinner and dancing preceded by a mini-Masque, written and directed by the organization’s President, Chippy (Mrs. Keith) Irvine. (Masques for those who haven’t been – were elaborate entertainments created during the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods with costumes and sets that were wildly extravagant and expensive.) And even though or maybe precisely because Irvine’s costumes were made of  plastic bags, bubblewrap and catfood tins and her players were recruited friends and family – the black tie crowd  gave a standing ovation, led by International Chair, Mrs. Deborah Brice and Gala Co-Chairs Joseph A. Field, Peter Pennoyer, Mrs. Stanley DeForest Scott, Kathleen E. Springhorn and Paul V. Wiseman.

After the Masque, Co-Chair Elizabeth H. Scott welcomed the crowd and introduced Tim Knox, the young and talented Director of  Sir John Soane’s Museum. Richard Griffiths, Chairman of Trustees gave a toast followed by the presentation of the first Soane Foundation Honors to author/illustrator/educator David Macaulay and philanthropist/preservationist, Richard H. Driehaus for their outstanding contributions to architectural education. Right: A toast by Soane Museum Chair Richard Griffiths

Honoree Richard H Driehaus

Presentation by Kathy Springhorn and Paul Wiseman to Honoree David Macaulay

After the raffle of 2 round trip tickets on the new all-business class Eos Airlines and the luxury basket of fragrances and candles from Vie Luxe, guests enjoyed dancing to the sounds of Hank Lane’s East End Review.  Spotted out on the floor were Christopher Forbes, Frances Hayward, Nicholas Stern, Susan Zises Green, Max Protetch, Barbara Jakobson, Christopher Mason, Elizabeth Zabludoff, Talbot Logan, Pamela Banker, Arthur L. Loeb, Thomas A. Kligerman ( who played Sir John Soane in the Masque), Lucy and Nat Day, Keith Irvine( Joseph Gandy in the Masque), Nancy Richardson, John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn,  among others.

COCKTAIL RECEPTION

MASQUE

The theme for the Spring Gala was an homage entitled MOOD INIGO JONES.   Jones (1573 – 1652) was famous not only for being England's first architect of note but also for his masque designs.  Players were traditionally courtiers, including James I, Charles I, and their Queens, Anne of Denmark and Henrietta Maria of France.

“The Architect’s Apotheosis: Presenting the Life of Sir John Soane - In five minutes...”
Chippy Irvine, President, Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation – Narrator

The Foundation would especially like to recognize Chippy Irvine, the writer, producer, and costumer of this amazing production.