Two years after the King’s Head first hit society and the scene, we gave fans the ultimate show-biz thrill. Two couples fencing, verbally, in the deadliest and wittiest manner.

A nearly-naked young woman and four immensely smart word-spinner actors within almost touchable distance.

And you didn’t have to have a degree in James Joyce studies or an aptness for esoteric religions to GET it.

At a smart West End opening night you might hope to get this dream team of reviewers to turn up – if you’re very lucky.

But for them all to sidle into the back of a grotty pub risking reputation and hygiene – barely thinkable. But they took a chance with their precious good names and came visiting, and they raved.

I think it’s only fair to put them on show:

Put your hands together for…