Dinner and A Show

While getting into life in London I sought out my old university co-horts Eric and John they were going strength to strength in their own comedic way. I dined a couple of times with them, their wives and newest recruits to the lineup- Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Graham Chapman, a Mister Trevor Gilliam was to be arriving by weeks' end so I wouldn't meet him on this occasion.

"You know Rox we're premiering at the Apollo Theatre Wednesday week you should come along and watch, have a drink with us at the after party bash" Eric offered politely.

"That would be wonderful Eric" my mind quickly twirling with the beginnings of a plan. I'm usually a tedious organiser, it goes with my lawyers brain I suppose, but with the hurried 'jump through magic hoops' organising of the tour I was more than comfortable for the first time, to jump in and hold on "..Do you think I could bring along a few friends?"

"You wouldn't be talking about those moptops would you luv, are they up for a laff and all that- seem pretty square to me" John Cleese eyeballed me then belted out a great laugh with the table joining in on the joke. Referring to the Beatles as square was as far removed from reality as there were unicorns at Hyde Park!

"Oh, they are pretty square but would that really bother you John seeing as you are as square as they!?" I raised the bar on John. Everyone turned to see what John would reply.

"Touche' Miss Nicholls, I applaud your quick retort- now truly come on, tell us the goss- are they good fellas an' all?"

"Yes, they are all as funny as they are talented, and, before you say anything, no I'm not swooning. I would love for you to meet them and the Apollo show would be a great night out" I smiled at Eric and the rest of the table.

I grabbed a glass "A toast!! I say, I say! Here's to old, new and odd friends - you may choose which you are..." pausing then adding "but you're probably wrong!"

Clinking glasses sounded around the bunch of diners. All laughed- then thought a moment of the words to my toast- then laughed again.

"Roxan, I believe we are finally rubbing our bad habits and jokes on you"  Eric smiled happily.

Then, in unison, Eric and John continued on..."...it only took five hundred years!" They were so funny.

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The next few days flew by but I managed to invite all the boys, their plus ones, Freda, Brian and of course, James for a fancy dinner and a games night on the next Wednesday. I kept the Monty Python Show tickets quiet for a big surprise reveal at dinner.

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Wednesday arrived with an early storm in the morning then glorious blue skies said hello to the afternoon.

I hopefully have managed to cook a roast dinner in the main kitchen... I'm not sure if the potatoes are rock hard but no time is left to taste test!

I let Freda in on my surprise at the last minute as, when I quizzed her over cooking techniques, and in particular roast dinners, she turned into a Master-chef of sorts so now, as I sort vegetables, she makes Yorkshire puddings and smooth, tasty gravy.

The roast and potatoes cooked while we chat away, laying the meeting room table with crockery and cutlery. Having access to the Saville Row kitchen certainly had its perks! We finished off with some crystal glasses and candles were lit.

"Well I'm impressed!" Brian strolled around the meeting room admiring the recently converted Beatles HQ to intimate dinner setting "much nicer than piles of paperwork and envelopes I do say. Splendid work ladies"

George and Patty bound in, hand in hand; George yelling as he shut the front door "OK, where's the grub Rox I'm starving, I could eat a horse"

"Sorry Georgie it's not horse I'm afraid" George wasn't bothered in the slightest; he and Patty pulled up two chairs near the far end of the table oohing and ahhing over the transformed space.

Once John, Paul, Ringo and my James arrived I got straight down to the business of feeding the collected.

"Well thanks for coming everyone, Freda and I have laid dinner out buffet style in the adjacent tea room as we were unsure if we could carry Georges overflowing plate to the table!"

"Rub a dub dub let's get some yum's in our tums, chums!" Rich cheered his weird sentence out, slapping and rubbing his hands together as Freda and I giggled.

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Rich and George were bickering about whether to play the newly released Monopoly first or charades, John added strip poker to the discussion, which lit the lads eyes up but Maureen and Patty yelled that suggestion out the door! I sank into the carpet...embarassed beyond all words.

As we were all finishing Freda grabbed dessert and I decided it was time to fess up my surprise for the evening. I jumped up and grabbed the envelope holding the tickets for the Monty Python Circus Show. As I skipped (I never skip) behind each diner, I laid a ticket down. Paul remarking with a laugh, I looked like a little lass running home with candy. I was just so... happy. I was really happy.

Everyone was intrigued, quickly grabbing the slip of paper and reading the important bits. "Oh fab Rox I've been hearing 'bout these lot in the paper" George spoke loudly to rise above the chatter that now filled the room. "Me too "Rich added.

"This' Paul then glanced at the tickets in both John's and Maureen's hands "Sorry, THESE are ALL for seats in the box, very fancy luv, hope you didn't spend all your meagre pay on us!"

"Well I do fancy a raise" winking at Brian as I spoke to make the words a joke "But these.." I waved mine in my hand "are all gifts from friends of mine"

"You have friends?!?!?" John scoffed a joke out cheekily and I quickly swatted him with my ticket.

"Yes, actual real people call me friend. Can you believe it!"

"Do they work in the ticket office? I reckon they will get taken over the coals by an irate boss handing you these luv" George mumbled his concern while devouring a mouthful of Patty's cheesecake, his own piece long gone.

"All wrong! The people I refer to went to Cambridge with me and have become very good friends over the years"

"Come on luv fess up" John smiled walking toward me.

"I am actually friends with basically the entire cast of that show" I pointed to the ticket John was studying.

"That's fantastic Rox ... I'm just going to get my coat!" Maureen spoke but everyone scurried to gather their coats and personals at the same time.

"If you all have time after the show, John, Eric and the cast have requested your company at the after party too" I stood holding the door with my coat in hand "taxi's should be pulling up just about...now"

"You ARE organised, aren't you!" Brain winked and departed with Freda.

"So, will there be food and refreshments at the party, Rox" George pouted.

"Yes George, I'm sure there will be" I huffed out and poked his full tummy as he waltzed past me.

"Oh, this is exciting isn't it" giggled Maureen "I've never been to a real show before!"
Rich, realising what she had said, replied indignantly "Hang on, 'ang on. What are you getting at? You go to one of OUR shows most every month Maur!!" Maureen giggled a little more and poked her tongue out at him.

Paul was alone this evening, Jane being on tour with her own theatre company, he offered an outstretched arm. So I linked mine with his.

"Wait up you two, what's this then... Where's the other one then Nicholls?" John dashed to my side.

"The other what John? You do talk in riddles" I replied happily, crinkling my brow at him.

"Well there is no way I'm letting Paul have all of ye. Where's your other arm for me to hold!" John then pretending to search behind me and near Paul's already grasped arm. Paul clunking him lightly on the chin when he tried taking THAT arm.

"Oh, here you are, John. Have this one then!" I linked my other 'lost' arm with John.

Whipping a quick 'concerned look' onto his face he then breathed a relieved sigh "Oh thank goodness I though your arm had detached sometime between dinner and dessert!" Laughing at his joke, I began dragging them through the door.

"Come on, we don't want to be late!"

And with that we all tore out to the last taxi cab and trundled off to the night's surprise.