In the late fifties and early sixties I enjoyed frequent visits to the Theatre Royal with my friends. We didn't earn very much, so arrived outside the Theatre by 6.30pm to queue for the "Gods".

When the doors opened we paid our half a crown and clattered up the stone steps to the top of the building. We then clattered down to the front row, for our favourite seats.

We enjoyed so many pre-London performances with the stars of the day. Those who I remember, but can't remember what they appeared in, include John Gielgud, Maggie Smith, and Flora Robson, as well as fathers and daughters John and Juliette Mills and Michael and Vanessa Redgrave.

Vanessa was 21 on the same day as one of my friends, whose birthday we were celebrating, at the play she was appearing in.

There was also Flanders and Swann, Peter Ustinov in Halfway up a Tree and Fenella Fielding in a new musical Valmouth. We thoroughly enjoyed Valmouth, but the London critics did not and it seemed to disappear until a few years ago, when it was revived by Chichester Festival Theatre. I found it very disappointing second time around. Maybe one had to be young to enjoy it.

Sometimes we bought a small programme for 3d. There was also a very old man who came round in the interval with a tray of orange drinks for 3d each. We were always amused at his call of "orange, lovely orange, orrrrange!" as he struggled down the steep steps with his tray.

At the end of the performance we returned home on the bus. So much enjoyment from our evening out for 2/6 or 3/- and so many happy memories to last a lifetime.

  • Gill Agate, Abbey Road, Sompting