But, so many people still love this show, whether contemporaries or new fans, that every table in the dining room of the President is packed.

It must be hard enough to run a large dining room without adding the burden of a theatrical production. Especially since a real three course meal is served to the many guests in the course of the show. (And the food is very decent too, with a vegetarian option. Though you have to buy your own liquid refreshments.)

None the less, the show is very slick due to a very capable cast and crew. And great fun is had by all. Yet those with longer memories might miss not only the brilliant writing of the longer format of the original TV series, but also the other hotel guests and guest stars who support the four central characters (Basil, Sibyl, Manuel and Polly the maid). And occasionally even up-stage them. Dr Price’s (Geoffrey Palmer) imperious but doomed cry, “I’m a doctor and I want my sausages!” will forever ring in the memory.

For me that is one of the great Sitcom lines. Along with Rodney in “Only Fools and Horses” wailing, “You ran guns during the Spanish Civil War, Grand Dad!” and Grand Dad’s plaintive reply “It’s the best time, Rodney.”

 Along with the captured U-Boat Commander in “Dad’s Army” who demands to know the arresting Private’s surname. Only to hear Captain Mainwaring’s barked order, “Don’t tell him, Pike!”