Public Speaking
The after-dinner speech is an art form. The greatest exponents of the art, such as Peter Ustinov and Rory Bremner have had one thing in common, they left the audience wanting more. Every speech should be unique to its occasion and should contain a mixture of formality and informality, anecdote and story, all held together with the bonds of wit and eloquence. The good speaker deploys not just a command of the language but also mimicry and a wry deadpan look at The News with a sense of timing which gives the hosts - and their guests - the satisfaction of being at a great occasion.
That is what I try to do.
