Stephen Fry and I went to see Private Lives at the Gielgud (superb; Toby Stephens and Anna Chancellor wonderful; ditto the rest of the cast including Anthony Calf from New Tricks, which I'll have to catch on iPlayer) and then onto Balthazar and a terrific meal. Before Stephen goes to Broadway with his excellent Malvolio in the magnificent Twelfth Night.

Oddly enough, I thought Private Lives (first time I've seen it) reminded me of Twelfth Night in the cleverness of the structure and the language. I found I could hardly breathe in case I missed a clever or/and funny line.

Theatre packed incidentally (seats cost me £110). Balthazar packed (only had booth because Keith, who owns it, is an old and dear friend). Recession?