Clare Teale: Why sometimes in life you just have to queue

Last week was our busiest of the Festive Season.

By the time we’d dragged our baggage from dressing room two of The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane up to the after show do held in The Grand Saloon we’d clocked up 62 working hours in five days - five gigs, three rehearsals and 980 miles.

In order to preserve my voice I try not to drink alcohol when we’re really busy as it tends to dry out the old vocal chords.

But after all that I was totally ready to enjoy a lovely cold beer.

So when I saw that the seething mass surrounding the bar was three deep, my heart sank.

It could be worse, at least I can see people drinking beer, it seems that most folks drink wine at these events.

I drink very little wine mainly because of said drying of vocal chords ,but also because, at the age of 42 I am ready to admit I actually prefer the taste of beer.

Never mind, I’m happy to queue – I’m British!

Finally I get to the front to learn that the hospitality bar has now closed and all drinks must be paid for .

This isn’t unusual and I’m more than happy to pay my way, but I’m not too keen to queue for another half hour to get another round in.

So I decide to get as many drinks as I can safely carry, that way I can spend more time with my friends and less with the barman who is very stressed – and let’s just say the chums who have come to see the show are the type who would happily drink any excess should they be required to help out.

Just as the barmen has poured the second white wine and opened the fourth beer a woman whispers in his ear that the hospitality has been extended and so drinks are free again.

Now I feel awkward – there’s nothing worse than people who drain hospitality bars by doubling or trebling their orders and here I am now having done just that.

I’m thinking to myself I’ll make sure these drinks go to good homes, when I bump into Bob Shennan Controller of Radio 2, and most likely the fella who has just paid for all the beers I am cradling in my arms.

Note to self sometimes in life you just have to queue.