Everton and Liverpool

There is a tale of ’89 which has gone down in fable. That was the year for The Gondoliers, and the last performance on Saturday 20^th May happened to coincide with the FA Cup Final between Everton and Liverpool.

Portable TVs were still very much a thing in 1989 and Bert Coleman smuggled one into the men’s dressing room. Apparently, the odd crate of beer had found its way in there too. The gentlemen were much engrossed in the highlights of the match while at the same time changing into their courtiers’ costumes for Act 2.

Suffice to say they missed the opening chorus, filing on stage in ones and twos singing “Of Happiness the Very Pith” as if everything was just as Phil Street had directed! I’m told the ladies, who were all ready despite not being needed for the first three numbers, were – scathing!