4 MAY 1962, Page 28

Coup de Theatre

Quick you say a live match to this hem and here they go Robe by robe his flash wardrobe red yellow ' flakes Drift like tropical hawks what a flower show So no flowers please for this harlequin who takes Twenty roles in turn or at once bleaches the floors Pockwise with hot tears as walls tra-la-la to his shout

Of triumph that Commedia out at the windows and doors

Listen now for what he will suavely speak out In his own Old-Etonian natural this-way-please Conversational tones as well-bred as English rain And don't come whining to me when it starts to freeze Because he is acting the horrible thing out plain And you hadn't learnt it's the ornamental pools Hatch the dragons curse all meddling fools.

JOHN HOLLOWAY