An indelible memory from a London theatre in 1963, involving comedy legend Spike Milligan and the tragic news of a president's death, has been shared by a reader, highlighting how certain nights stay with us forever.
A Teenage Trip to the Theatre
Steven Bowditch was just sixteen years old when his church youth club organised a trip to see a play in the capital. The production was The Bed-Sitting Room, a surreal post-apocalyptic comedy starring the iconic Spike Milligan. However, the evening began with unexpected drama before the curtain even rose.
Due to a ticketing error where their seats were double-sold, Steven and his group were relocated to a box situated right next to the stage. This unconventional seating arrangement set the scene for a direct and unforgettable interaction with one of Britain's greatest comedians.
Milligan's Unscripted Intervention
During the performance, Spike Milligan broke the fourth wall in spectacular fashion. He climbed up the outside of the box and peered over at the startled teenagers inside. In a moment of pure Milliganesque anarchy, he shouted to the audience, "There will come a time when all those in the box will sit at the back of the theatre and all those at the back will have the best seats!"
He then fixed his gaze on the young occupants and quipped, "You're not on complimentaries, are you?" This spontaneous outburst, a blend of social commentary and classic comic suspicion, created a unique memory for the young theatregoers that would be seared into their minds for decades to come.
A Coach Journey into History
The surreal experience did not end with the final curtain. On the coach journey back home to Carlisle, the driver made an unusual stop. He was curious about the unusual scenes unfolding on the otherwise empty streets. Scores of people were gathering, buying copies of the late-night final edition newspapers.
The date was 22 November 1963. The shocking headlines revealed that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated in Dallas, Texas. The joyous, bizarre memory of an evening with a comedy genius was now forever framed by a moment of global tragedy.
For Steven Bowditch, these two events are inextricably linked. The personal, humorous memory of a direct encounter with Spike Milligan is bookended by the collective, sombre shock of a world changing event. It serves as a powerful reminder of how personal narratives intersect with history, creating memories that, as he says, simply never leave you.
