HE's done it again - Sir Peter Ustinov, the man for whom the whole world is a stage, has sold out four nights in Hong Kong. For the hundreds who greeted both his arrival and curtain call with thunderous applause, it was a delightful evening spent with one of show business' great raconteurs. Governor Chris Patten, his wife Lavender, daughter Alice and visiting family friends were among the opening night patrons at the Lyric Theatre of the Academy for Performing Arts. Sir Peter set the scene with a satirical swipe at Sino-British diplomatic relations, displaying his wonderful mimicry which was to keep the audience laughing for more than two hours. With a black stool, a Persian rug and a pair of glasses as his only props, Sir Peter regaled the audience with stories from his childhood, anecdotes from his brief army career, and wonderful reminiscences of the actors and directors he has known and worked with. There were impersonations of politicians past and present from the erudite performer who, at 73, has no plans to slow his impressive pace. There was, however, one unscripted dramatic moment last night. Half-way through the second half, the performance was brought to a halt when a tearful woman begged Sir Peter to ask if there was a doctor in the house. Her husband had collapsed. An ambulance rushed him to Queen Mary Hospital after emergency treatment. But it only took a moment for Sir Peter to recover and finish his engaging performance. There is a glimmer of hope for the unfortunate ones who have not secured a ticket for The Return of an Evening with Sir Peter Ustinov - another performance may be staged on December 4. The box office will today judge by inquiries if another show should be added. The Return of an Evening with Sir Peter Ustinov, at the Lyric Theatre of the Academy for Performing Arts.
