Cheers

Called to the JDW bar

Judges are often accused of being out of touch with ordinary people. But Snifter wouldn't say that about the judge he met while on jury service recently. Come the lunch hour, His Honour would slip off the wig and gown and stroll up the

high street to the local

Wetherspoon. A half of bitter and a curry, a little chat, and then, suitably refreshed, back down the hill to dispense justice again. Not a bad way to stay grounded - and far safer than taking a Brazilian cleaner.

Treading the Bards

Nick Bish's natural air of authority stood him in good stead when he trod the boards as Henry IV in his last year at Cranbrook School, Kent. Also

appearing in that

production was a younger pupil, who went on to make his mark in the trade too. Their paths crossed again last week for the first time since as Miles Jenner of Harveys delivered a firkin of Best Bitter to Robert Humphrey's reception at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton. Over a friendly jar, Bish resisted the temptation to remark to Jenner: "Ale's well". Just as well, lest the venue's licensee groaned and responded: "You're Bard."

Bingeing: The Opera

Snifter is gearing up to audition for a part in a

new opera about binge drinking. The men behind Jerry Springer: The Opera have written five new productions. Composer Richard Thomas and comedian Stewart Lee have penned the binge-drinking opera, based on a BBC Panorama programme on the subject. Other subjects include The Applicants - based on BBC2's The Apprentice. Snifter wants to know if Sir Alan Sugar will be singing for his supper?