'What a wonderful cure for insomnia'

One of the most recognised characters in American show business, Julius Henry 'Groucho' Marx travelled to Lord's to watch a cricket match between MCC and Cambridge University in 1954. John Gale and Michael Davie, who travelled with him, recollect their experience in the Observer

We sat down in the front seat of A stand: we were alone there. Mr Marx's eyes went round: "Is it always as crowded as this? Does it get enough money to pay for the ball?" He continued observing the scene. "What a wonderful cure for insomnia. If you can't sleep here, you really need an analyst. Doesn't that maharajah with the whiskers get tired pitching? Even the men in the tradesmen's coats are trying not to watch it. Umpires, eh?"