Quotations from P G Wodehouse are copyright of, and reprinted by permission of, the Trustees of the Wodehouse Estate © 2012 The P G Wodehouse Society (UK)

The P G Wodehouse Society (UK) Biennial Dinner on Thursday 23rd October 2008 at Gray's Inn, London

by Jamie Jarrett

P G Wodehouse was born on 15th October 1881 and so every two years during October the Society has a very special dinner in his honour.

The eagerly awaited evening arrived and alas passed all too soon. Your committee members were of course on best behaviour and fulfilling various duties. Myself by the door to greet newcomers and impart important information as to where cloaks went and where cloakrooms were, but the most gripping thing of all - where to grab a glass of champagne.

Many old and new friends chatted to each other at the Champagne Reception within the sublime surroundings of a glorious room attached to the Gray's Inn Hall. Gray's Inn Hall itself has been in its present shape and size since it was "re-edified" in 1556-58. For a 360 degree tour of this hall click here and select "hall".

A little while later we were all called into the Hall for dinner. Looking up at the many paintings and Treasurers' shields we found our labelled places and read our souvenir order of entertainment and menu, called The Gray's Inn Record - it was clear that a very memorable evening was in store.

The front page of this souvenir is proudly displayed below as it shows the Society's new logo, a representation of Plum's much used typewriter and pipe.

The Gray's Inn Record

Sir Edward Cazalet began proceedings with a toast to the much deserving John Mortimer and then to the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, society member, patron and sender of a memorable telegram to the Society. Indeed James Naughtie, who gave readings as part of the post-dinner entertainment, mentions this in his diary (from the US elections) on www.ft.com where he says:

"I was fortunate to have been able to prepare for the upside-down world of Vegas at the biennial dinner of the PG Wodehouse Society (UK), which took place at Gray’s Inn, London, and which induces something of the same light-headedness and feeling of detachment from the world ... The sense of being in a scene beyond parody was highlighted by the Loyal Toast not being directed towards the usual recipient but to the late Queen Mother, apparently on the grounds that she had once sent a telegram to the Society urging it to have a dinner that would 'stagger humanity'."

After the Society's prayer, the meal promptly followed and what a meal it was, one of which Gray's Inn should be proud. If you are on a diet, look away from the right hand side of the photograph below! It was as you can see washed down by a marvellous selection of wines.

A Literary Melange and Anatole's Suggested Menu

After a suitable break Tony Ring announced the entertainment for the evening.

This began with Dr Shashi Tharoor, the former Undersecretary-General of The United Nations, who flew over from New York especially for the Society Dinner and delivered a masterful speech. Both fascinating and humourous it gave insight into how Indians view P G Wodehouse and his work, weaved in with wider thoughts on the close of Empire and the English language itself. He used many quotes from Plum's work to illustrate his mastery of the language and his unique sense of humour. Shashi had his audience spellbound and alternating between silence to catch every word and tears of laughter, it rightly received a long standing ovation. Please click here to read his speech in full.

Dr Shashi Tharoor, photograph by Ginni Beard

The entertainment following was another tour-de-force organised and put together by Tony Ring, who somehow managed to raise this above his many previous triumphs. No wonder Society members are so keen to come to these events. You can see the order of entertainment in the picture above under "A Literary Melange".

HRH The Duke of Kent gave a wonderful reading. Also James Naughtie of Radio 4 fame and noted journalist. As well as Harry Mount, author of the much accalaimed Amo, Amas, Amat who recently had published his Lust for Window Sills on Britain's architectural history.

HRH The Duke of Kent, photograph by Ginni Beard

Harry Mount and James Naughtie, photograph by Ginni Beard

Hal Cazalet and Eliza Lumley sang beautifully, including, for the first time in public, some verses Wodehouse worked on just before he died. Hal is composing a new musical and Eliza recently had a number 1 album She Talks in Maths in the iTunes jazz chart last year! Stephen Higgins from ENO accompanied them on the piano. It is difficult to find words to praise their singing highly enough.

And of course no biennial dinner would be complete without Lara Cazalet reading from PGW's work. Lara, a well known actress in TV Series such as New Street Law, has recently become a patron of the society.

Eliza Lumley and Hal Cazalet, photograph by Ginni Beard

Lara Cazalet, photograph by Ginni Beard

When the entertainment came to an end, another rousing applause echoed throughout the Hall.

Finally Hilary Bruce, the Society's beloved chairman, gave a touching and funny closing speech.

Rousing applause led by Society Chairman Hilary Bruce to the front left, photograph by Ginni Beard

A wonderful evening truly was had by all!

Many people were involved in this event; the committee and various patrons and members. There is though one person who must also be thanked, the person who organised the evening as a whole and without whom we would not have been able to have so much fun - Tim Andrew. Thankyou Tim!

Tim Andrew, photograph by Ginni Beard

There are over 250 photographs from the evening, taken by Ginni Beard. These photographs are available for purchase. Details will appear in the next edition of Wooster Sauce, but if you cannot wait until then (!) please contact Elin on editorwsauce@btinternet.com.