My memories of the Theatre Royal Brighton go back to 1942. I was in the RAF stationed at the Royal Albion and Lion Mansions next door and one morning on parade the flight sergeant told four of us in the front row to step forward as we were volunteers to go to the theatre for special duties.

All four of us thought, ok, we can pull off a bit of a skive here - not knowing what laid in store for us.

Off we trot to the stage door in Bond Street where we were met by a very nice chap who informed us we would be in the cast of Merry England, a musical being performed by the Brighton and Hove Operatic Society.

That put the fear of Old Nick into us because, as we explained, none of us could sing or act.

Never mind, we were told, you won't be singing or acting. You will be dressed up as Elizabethan bargemen to escort the Queen on to the stage when required.

This meant being dressed up in a black, floppy velvet hat with a white feather in the front, full-length tight-fitting trousers and baggy knickers.

Well you can imagine how we looked. I have never laughed so much in all my life.

We all said, well, we did join up for king and country so never mind it's Queen Elizabeth instead for a couple of weeks. What's the difference?

The show was a great success - very professional! The two leading stars were professionals in their own right. I have a feeling the tenor's name was Starling, the leading lady's name I can't remember.

On the first night some of the WAAFs from the station were given free tickets. They were in the second row, and a right old giggle went on every time we appeared. I went on to marry one of them.

I can honestly say I have trod the boards at the Royal - a wonderful experience!

  • A Back, Carden Hill, Brighton