Picasso ceramics gala evening

The Admirable Crichton was taken aback by its brief for the gala evening of the Picasso ceramics exhibition at the Royal Academy, held in aid of the Depaul Trust for Homeless Youths. 'No fancy stuff. We'd like egg, salmon, cheese and watercress sarnies to mop up the champagne and Southsider cocktails,' insisted Elizabeth Arnold and Irene Danilovich, the organisers. Paris's most glamorous couple, Olivier Picasso and Alice Evans, were among those who attended. Not everyone was prepared to rave about the exhibition, however - one guest was heard to say: 'I don't know what the fuss is about. You can get these kinds of plates on every market stall in Parma.'