13 DECEMBER 1968, Page 28

Christmas bring and buy-in, since 'it's been completely superseded by

these inflatable chairs,' are all part of the 'gear, useful but ex- pendable.

In short, for '5.11 the little technological god that sits at the centre of their world, these are the traditional characters of English comedy, struggling as ever to maintain a precarious equilibrium between being seen to be ahead and being seen to be in line. As Hamlet said of Osric (in the sort of frank, earthy image which would certainly appeal to the frankly unearthy String- Alongs): 'He did comply with his dug, before he suck'd it.'