Danny Benjamin ran the Carnaby Cavern boutique in Londonin the 1960's and 1970's, and employed a team of tailors to make outfits for the rich and famous. Here he recalls an almost unbelievable situation that came about following a chain of rushed events.

Well it wasn't really an argument. Our 'Bookkeeper' was arriving at eleven, the dreaded 'Tax man' at twelve, and I wanted to spend a moment with her before he did. There was 'Colin' ready to leave for an appointment with 'ShirleyBassey' for a final fitting for a tux and that would make him too late to measure the girls from the T.V. MinstrelShow. So would I go?

Stage clothing by its very nature is always left to last.I do believe the Directors have such a worry over the financing of the show. They leave costumes to the very last! And then,when their way is clear, it's all go! And in a huge rush!

So not very long after saw me seeking a black cab. It was only when I was reading from the slip of paper that 'Colin'had slipped into my top pocket that I noticed my destination!You wouldn't believe some of the shabby rehearsal rooms they use! Grubby Church Halls. Rooms over Pubs. But this address beat all: it was the Y.W.C.A. Hall!! The Young Women's Christian Association Hall!

'Are men allowed in?' I asked myself. Now this could be embarrassing.. I had no idea how EMBARRASSING...!

When I arrived I showed my credentials to a prim unsmiling lady; no wonder she had such a job. For there was no doubt in my mind she wasn't very keen on men! She said, "I'll phone through to the hall, and try to get someone to sign you in," adding, "This is most unusual."

A little later and a friendly face appeared, the costume designer 'Belinda'. I was signed in and followed Belinda to the sports hall. Every girl and group of girls we passed gave me the strangest looks. This is when I first became just a little uncomfortable...

There were twelve girls to be measured. It takes up to ten minutes to take the set of measurements. I was prepared,for I had worked out already who was wearing what, and had names at the top of each page. Three girls broke away, and were measured.

I waited, and then waited some more, but no more arrived.I looked around and found Belinda. She rushed off to find the missing dancers. It seems that the 'Choreographer' hadn'tnoticed me and had sent the girls off for a shower! ..

After some five minutes she returned. "I'm sorry Dan,you will have to measure the girls in the shower room!!"

I didn't think too much about it. I was doing a job. I put my paperwork in my case and followed. I always found, try and appear that this sort of thing happened all the time.But nothing in my entire life had prepared me for this!..

Most of the girls thought it hugely amusing to have a man in their shower room, but a few objected most strongly and showed their distaste by making poses that would shock any top-shelf magazine reader!

Some of the banter coming from those girls was absolutely blue! They said things I still can't believe! They gave me hell. I'm not that worldly. I tried to smile even to answer some of their enquiries and suggestions. (But with a dozen of them .... you must be joking!)

They were, to put it nicely, absolutely blatant in their nudity -- any film-maker take note, just think of it, a dozen (to me it felt there were thirty or more) of what no doubt are the prettiest girls in town, Blondes, Brunettes-- one girl had the most beautiful red head I have everseen.

All these girls were full bodied and perfect figured, not your slim, slim, model figure, but healthy like the girl next door. (If you happen to be that lucky!) All the girls had one thing in common, their height 5'8' to 5' 10'.Little me, I'm just 5' 7'.

To get the outfits right you need really personal measurements:top shoulder to nipple, continue to under bust, under bust measurement (where if the girl is bra less one has to raise the boobs to get the measurement), waist, hip, top leg and inside leg. In the wrong context all of these could be anembarrassment.

Normally, these measurements are taken over tights, or bodystockings, even over a bra, but with some of the girls making obscene movements, trying to take these personal measurements over fresh damp soft flesh put a completely new light on the work!!

'Belinda' was getting very cross with the girls and was furiously shouting, "Behave yourselves." And on two occasions she slapped the girls...

Was I enjoying myself, was there any thrill, NO WAY - itwas really embarrassing!! Whilst those girls pouted and posed, on several occasions their bodies touched my face.Not accidentally!!

I battled through and finally all quietened down.. I wasfinished!!. I felt completely drained. When I finally left the Y.W.C.A. hall I walked very briskly back to the shop to clear my head of that ghastly experience.

Thinking back upon it, I should have refused to enter the Shower Room, for in fact entering was a prime mistake. I've many times been horrified to note the arrogant manner inwhich many casting Directors treat the girls. Like so many cattle. True to their Male Chauvinistic ways.

The poor girls take all their insults and continue smiling,for they need the work. But for a man to enter their 'ShowerRoom' must have been the final straw! Their final bastion breached, and for that alone I guess I deserved the treatment metered out to me.

Shortly after this experience I created a new company to deal solely with 'Stagewear' with 'Colin' as its managing director. I personally changed course into manufacturing,so finally I realised why this story was so very hard topen. The event did have an effect upon me, more than I ever care to realise!....

Danny Benjamin, Middlesex, 2002