49 Today

One year to go to reach my half-century! Had lots of cards in Office. I have the same birthday as Elaine – Strange – four Secretaries on my floor and two sets of birthday twins, as Maxine & Julia share the same birthday in December.

Phoned from office to book Theatre seat to “treat” myself. Ended up with an £8 a stall at The Savoy – the play is a Comedy called “Noises Off”. Could have got a £3 one but didn’t want to be perched up in the Gods, or behind a pillar or something – Not on my birthday. I mean, I might not see another one so may as well go out in style!

The play was very good and very funny, though a little confusing to start off in the first act. It was about a group – or troop – of Actors rehearsing a play to be put on at Weston-Super-Mare. The second and third acts were the actual play being put on in different towns. So for the first act we saw was the “proper” stage & props, whereas for the remaining acts we saw the “backstage” with the Actors “speaking their parts” in the distance and the others “whispering” behind the scenes. Very farcical.

I got myself a large orange drink during the interval (32p) and made that last for the rest of the performance. Before the performance, as an extra birthday treat; I took myself for a meal in the Forkrose Restaurant, Villiers Street. I didn’t spoil myself too much though and had a nice cheese salad, trifle with single cream and a tea. £1.60 the lot – Very good for London prices.

When I took my seat at the table I noticed a couple opposite me and was fascinated by the man. He was huge – at least 6ft, probably more, and of enormous build and ruddy complexion. He had a large tum, like Cyril Smith the Liberal man. He was wearing a brown suit, with waistcoat, an open necked shirt and had a tartan scarf round his neck, even though it was a pleasantly warm evening. His wife had on a black skirt and brown cardigan, and had a thick sheepskin coat over the back of her chair. Her hair was done up in a silver bun, the sides all wispy and looking as if they’d once been caught up in the bun but had managed to escape.

When I arrived they were on their soup course. She was eating hers normally but he had his bowl held up high on his chest and was scooping out every last drop. Their main meal was interesting too. She had a Chicken Maryland with salad. He had steak, mushrooms, tomatoes, chips and salad. The plate was full to overflowing as he’d obviously had either the chips or the salad as `extra’. Almost immediately the waitress returned to their table bearing another full plate, containing, what looked like spaghetti Bolognese! While I was pondering on this, and wondering if perhaps a third party was joining their table, I saw the man tip the contents on top of his steak etc., and then set to with great gusto to eat the lot!

I think this must be one of the reasons why I like London so much. You never know what you are going to witness from one moment to the next and, being so very metropolitan, all these oddities pass by un-remarked, and almost unnoticed. The great joy being, of course, one can do almost anything or wear anything, and nobody looks the least bit surprised. Just my cup of tea as I can wear my trousers to work in winter and slippers in summer, for the ease of comfort, and change when I get to the office to look `tidy and respectable’. I doubt very much if I could get away with either of those in Bristol, not without some comment being made by someone anyway. London is an Eccentric’s Paradise!

Grace Russ - April 27th 1982