NOT BERKELEY SQUARE

by ray pool

Friday 19th August 2022 8:49 pm

There's no romance or magic at Euston any more

no solemn glory since they took down the arch

yet on a flustering blustering visit before my train departure

I met the eye of the actor guy

who played the son in law of Alf Garnett, Tony Booth

the personification of the awkward git, now hatted and scarfed

and red of face at the sharp end of a Johnnie Walker.

I joined him in a cappuccino, his pithy remarks tumbling out

were just sufficient to break the ice on the scotch,

and when he turned his friendly gaze on me there was

magic abroad in the air, the romance of scouse

seemed quite ok on a day near Euston Square.

Comments

raypool

Mon 22nd Aug 2022 12:26

Thank you Frederick Kevin Stephen John and Holden for liking this poem.

Interesting how tongue tied and nervous we get as you say Graham in the presence of recognised faces. I was lucky often to work with quite famous people on stage and it took the sting out of it. Luckily, Tony Booth was quite an extrovert, whereas a lot of actors keep to themselves.

Grateful for that observation Uilleam.

Intriguing Stephen. I assume you worked at the HQ then. Good transport connections!

Ah yes Mark. Bernard Archard was quite well known in films and TV in the 70s , aquiline nose and tall if i'm right. Never a big star of course, but as you say instantly recognizable. Funny when you quoted your question to him it almost reminded me of the apprehension of Christie - " you're Christie...."

Ray

M.C. Newberry

Sun 21st Aug 2022 17:56

As GS pbserves - a great currency for experience put in words.
I recall walking homewards along Gloucester Place W1 after an early tour of duty (6am-2pm) and spotting actor Bernard
Archard ahead of me. I had seen him in various roles on TV & film and couldn't resist the chance to speak; "You're Bernard
Archard, aren;t you?" He was politeness personnified and we
chatted for some minutes before parting company. I've since
located a copy of his excellent autobiography (recommended).
He was one of that breed of actor who graced many quality
productions, instantly recognisable but whose name may not
have been so readily brought to mind.

Stephen Gospage

Sat 20th Aug 2022 13:47

I enjoyed this, Ray. I used to work at Euston Square. In those days the Mineworkers' Union HQ was just up the road. Tony Booth - the original Scouse Git.

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Sat 20th Aug 2022 13:04

"red of face at the sharp end of a Johnnie Walker."
Nice turn of phrase.

Graham Sherwood

Fri 19th Aug 2022 21:50

Haha! Celebrity encounters are great currency as explored here Ray. The problem is knowing what to say.
I once met John Sebastian in a bar and unforgivably told him he was part of the soundtrack of my generation (I know toe curling eh?).
He play punched my arm and said
Awww Man!!!

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NOT BERKELEY SQUARE

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