FEATURE:
These Three Queens…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Trouble Club’s owner and CEO, Ellie Newton (right), alongside the acclaimed author, podcaster, speaker and journalist, Candice Brathwaite, at St Marylebone Parish Church, London on 2nd October, 2025
Celebrating a Triumphant and Memorable Year for The Trouble Club
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I must start out…
IN THIS PHOTO: Margaret Atwood joined her fellow author Elif Shafak on stage for a funny, tender, thought-provoking, fascinating and unforgettable Trouble Club conversation at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls on 14th November, 2025/PHOTO CREDIT: Christopher Wahl/The Guardian
like I always do when writing about The Trouble Club, by giving you the link to their website and Instagram. I am urging everyone to become a member and check out what they do. The title of this piece is Christmas-based – the Christmas carol, We Three Kings of Orient Are, and it could refer to a few of the brilliant women who make The Trouble Club what it is, not least their inspiring and amazing CEO and owner, Ellie Newton, alongside Zea Stuttaford and Jen Needham. Organising these amazing events, venues and marketing, it is a huge feat making sure that the club keeps running and showcasing these amazing guests and events. Not just speakers coming, there are social events (like members’ dinners) and book clubs among the other activities for its members. Rather than look at future events and highlight them, instead, I am going to nod to the year that has been and, cheekily, think about three queens I would love to see speak for The Trouble Club. You can see what events are booked for the remainder of the year - and what is already confirmed for 2026. With an incredible new website and the memory of perhaps their biggest event yet still in the mind and heart, it has been perhaps the most successful and notable year for The Trouble Club. This is, again, credit to those who work tirelessly every day. Ellie Newton and her team, ensuring that the Trouble members have these regular events where they can go, meet and socialise, and come away with these indelible and incredible memories! The big event that I was referring to was on 14th November. Margaret Atwood & Elif Shafak: Words Like Fire took place at Fairfield Halls. It was a packed venue to see this once-in-a-lifetime conversation. I had never seen Margaret Atwood speak. She and Elif Shafak had this incredible bond and mutual respect. This frank, funny and fascinating conversation was a definite highlight of the year! There have been so many moments like this. The Trouble Club goes from strength to strength in terms of the calibre and variety of guests booked. Some wonderful and large venues alongside the more intimate and homely.
IN THIS PHOTO: Actor Jodie Comer is one of my dream guests that I would love to see speak for The Trouble Club in 2026/PHOTO CREDIT: Scandebergs for British GQ
Candice Brathwaite speaking for The Trouble Club on 2nd October was another big highlight! To be fair, there have been loads of really great events. I joined in 2023, and it has been such a wonderful experience being a member of The Trouble Club. Not only because you get to see so many compelling, powerful and amazing women share their work, stories and experiences. The new faces and familiar at each events makes it feel like a family. The Trouble Club family is this community that continues to grow. As we look to 2026, it will be fascinating seeing what is in store for The Trouble Club. I asked this I think when I interviewed Ellie Newton but, in terms of next steps, it will get bigger and grow, though I feel she will take a little bit of a step back at some point. In terms of being the interviewer and attending nearly every event. As owner and CEO, she does so much for The Trouble Club; I am sure that she will probably scale back at some point so that she can focus on other things – and just have some more free time. However, like I do with each feature, I pop in some dream guests. There are so many women I would love to see at The Trouble Club. Emerald Fennell, Gillian Anderson, Michaela Coel, Leah Williamson and Lauren Laverne are among them. However, as a big fan of Jodie Comer, this is someone who I think would be a wonderful guest. The Trouble Club have had actors speaking before, but there have not been too many in recent months. Someone who everybody knows but had this incredible career, she would be someone who would appeal to so many Trouble Club members. Also, Greta Thunberg would be a dream guest. Having been held hostage alongside fellow campaigners and activists protesting Israel’s genocide against Palestine, she was held hostage, though she has thankfully returned home. This is someone who would be among the most popular guests ever. An activist, climate crisis campaigner and environmentalist who has this huge social consciousness, there are so many young people who look up to her.
IN THIS PHOTO: The national treasure that is Kathy Burke/PHOTO CREDIT: Alex Lake/The Observer
In terms of the final of the three queens I would like to see, well that would be Kathy Burke! Her memoir, A Mind of My Own, was released in November. This is one of our most beloved actors and directors. An in credible woman who is not only an amazing comic actor, but someone who has been in hard-hitting T.V. and stage productions, she is so raw, open and real. Someone who would no doubt be liberal with her language (a few C-bombs would only be right!), it would be a really funny and captivating event. I am not sure whether Burke is on the Trouble radar but, given the press for her memoir, there would be a lot to talk about. Let’s see what is planned for next year! I am keeping this pretty short, as I just want to give a general thanks to Ellie Newton and everyone at The Trouble Club for organising the events and making the club such a success. I know so many new members will come on board next year. This year has been a massive one for them and they can be hugely proud of everything achieved. In terms of next year, maybe some of the biggest guests ever – film directors, politicians, authors and businesswomen alike – and a more regular podcast or new series. I would love to see more written about The Trouble Club; Ellie Newton profiled and interviewed. An entrepreneur and this phenomenal businesswoman and owner under the age of thirty who is achieving so much, she is worthy of some column inches and podcast chats. Even thought his year has been an extraordinary one I, like every Trouble Club member, is excited by…
WHAT comes next.