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On one occasion in that sanctum
where casual strangers were not at all welcome, he was chatting with
some friends, when a little, pushing outsider butted in. Frank gazed
at him in silent wonder but ignored his remarks and went on with the
conversation. The man butted in again. Frank spoke to him. "Excuse
me, sir," he said, 'this may be a public bar -- I believe it
is. But this is a private conversation, as between gentlemen (he stressed
this word with just the slightest emphasis), so kindly keep your conversation
to yourself, if you don't mind." The man was silent, and Frank's
group went on with their talk. But the chatty stranger could not resist
it, he was listening. Once more Frank regarded him with pained surprise.
"Are you a foreigner?" he asked. (He had a pretty hearty
contempt for such things, in the good old Edwardian way.) The butter- Right - One of many architectural delights at The Palace Theatre. M.L. Sometimes gentlemen got a little tipsy at the Palace, and in that condition they were not wanted. There was, at the back of the stalls, what was known as 'the drunks' door.' This was an exit leading to the street, which only opened outwards. It was covered with curtains. If a drunk got a little obstreperous, one of the efficient Palace attendants - and they were all most tactful attendants too - would edge the recalcitrant man to this door, and when he reached it, give him the slightest push, and he found himself out in the street, to his intense astonishment. Nor did he ever get in again. Return To Front Page of Palace Theatre Feature
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Left
- The stunning Grand Staircase and inner lobby is the first thing
that patrons see after entering from the main foyer of the Theatre.
M.L.
in
denied it indignantly. "Then you haven't that excuse. Now listen,
there's a good chap. I don't know you, I don't want to know you. I'm
speaking to my friends. So shut up, please, and don't butt in. Otherwise
I'll get angry." Silenced again, the stupid man could not tear
himself away. He went on listening. Something which was said got him
going. Ducking under the arm of one of the group, he took the centre
of the floor. Otter, in the most matter-of-fact manner, seized his
bottle of champagne off the bar and without even looking at him, or
interrupting his speech, rapped the man over the head with it, who
fell down, absolutely stunned. Frank then resumed the conversation
where it had been so rudely interrupted as if nothing had happened,
and the attendants removed the importunate man who had so rudely transgressed
the Palace social law. That was the sort of thing which happened at
the Palace. All done in the most gentlemanly-like manner.
