How many times have I seen Guys and Dolls? (1950) Lost count, but twice this year. I saw the English revival that started in Chichester and transferred to the West End where I saw it in January. And now this production in June in Stratford - absolutely incredibly fabulous. I was not alone in my enthusiasm. It kept growing in the audience to the point that the cast had to stop the applause after a number so that they could get on with the show.

Such layers and years of pleasure it has brought me. It was one of the first records (remember 33 1/3 rpm?) we bought after we were married (1952). I think I still have it. I used to listen to musicals while I ironed - this was so long ago it was before Perma:Press - so I learned all the words. I still know them. One of my favourite songs was Sky Masterson"s "My Time of Day", omitted from the movie(1955) because Marlon Brando couldn't sing. i read that his other numbers were pieced together with bits and pieces he sang into a tape recorder. Time of Day has too intricate a score for a non-singer to master. Incidentally, does anyone else remember that the original Sky was performed by Robert Alda (1914-1986), father of Alan?

I am a mine of useless, miscellaneous information. Fun, though.