Diaries 1969-1979_ The Python Years - Michael Palin [149]
I tend towards Cameron’s view – though I will probably vote ‘No’ as a vote against the smugness and complacency of the over-subscribed ‘Yes’ campaign. I think Britain will survive both decisions – but it will be more exciting, I feel, to watch the consequences of a ‘No’ vote and, as one of society’s little band of jesters, excitement helps my business.
Drove down to Terry’s in a torrential storm, with cold winds whipping round the car. We worked steadily on with ‘F J Tomkinson’s Schooldays’ – as the half-hour has now become. It needs consolidating and tightening, which we do bit by bit. As usual the last ten minutes are the most difficult.
Drove home in another storm. Watched a long TV Referendum debate. There ought to be one channel, run as a public service, which broadcasts all parliamentary proceedings, because they are quite involving and, rather than bore the pants off everyone, they may cure our national political apathy, for on major issues like this there are some very good performers about.
John Goldstone rang to say that the Grail has broken records on its opening in Philadelphia and Toronto and that Don Rugoff has plans to transfer it to a new cinema in NY and wants to have a death cart trundled through the streets of NY as an ad. Given Mayor Beame’s reported plans to sack 67,000 city workers in order to meet huge unpaid bills, this may be a public service as well as a publicity stunt.
Thursday, June 5th
Today at 10.00 I remembered that our kitchen was to be photographed by the Royal Duke.1 So there was hasty cleaning of the kitchen, then Helen took Rachel and William off for injections (routine NHS stuff). While she was away, I locked myself out while emptying the waste-paper basket. Managed to enlist the sporty help of Clare Latimer2 next door, but trod in dog shit in her yard, then nearly castrated myself on our roses and fencing. She laughed and declared it was all very Monty Python. In the end I climbed over the roofs and into my room, just in time to clean the shit off my shoes and welcome the Duke of Gloucester into the kitchen.
Cast my vote in the Referendum. I voted ‘Yes’ because I was not in the end convinced that the retention of our full sovereignty and the total freedom to make our own decisions, which was the cornerstone of the Noes’ case, was jeopardised seriously enough by entering the Market. And I feel that the grey men of Brussels are no worse than the grey men of Whitehall anyway. But I didn’t decide on my vote until this morning, when I read the words of one of my favourite gurus, Keith Waterhouse3. He would vote ‘Yes’ he thought, but without great enthusiasm for the Referendum or the way its campaign has been conducted, because of the attractions of the European quality of life! And he concludes, ‘I may be naïve in hoping that remaining in Europe will make us more European, but after a thousand years of insularity from which have evolved the bingo parlour, carbonised beer and Crossroads, I am inclined to give it a whirl.’4
Tuesday, June 10th
The hot weather continues. Spent yesterday and most of today working on the last quarter of the Palin Show script. Quite pleased with progress – at least there is now an ending.
Midway through the afternoon, drove over to TV Centre to have my hair shorn unmercifully.
With my new short back and sides, drove over to Cosprops in Regent’s Park Road to try on the blazers, striped swimsuits, etc, for Three Men. Stephen Moore (George)1 and Stephen Frears and I went for a drink afterwards. Moore is a delightfully easy-going, affable bloke, very good company. Frears is very endearing in his scruffy, self-deprecating way. I like them both a great deal.
Wednesday, June 11th
The first-time writer, director and all three Men in the Boat get together. The place, the airless, featureless cell of room BO 55 at the TV Centre. Present today, narrow Tom Stoppard, eyes sparkling. ‘How are you today, Michael?’ Rather