It's a bit bizarre when you think about it. A short British cabaret sketch from the 1920s has become a German New Year's tradition. Yet, although Dinner for One or the 90th Birthday is a famous cult classic in Germany and several other European countries, it is unknown in the English-speaking world, including Britain, its birthplace.
Although newer versions have been produced, every year around New Year's Eve, German television broadcasts the classic, black-and-white English-language version filmed back in 1963 in Hamburg. All across Germany, from the 31st of December to January 1st, Germans know it's the beginning of a new year when they watch this annual event.
Print version
Dinner for One or the 90th Birthday
James :
Good evening, Miss Sophie, good evening.
Miss Sophie :
Good evening, James.
James :
You are looking very well this evening, Miss Sophie.
Miss Sophie :
Well, I am feeling very much better, thank you, James.
James :
Good, good...
Miss Sophie :
Well, I must say that everything looks nice.
James :
Thank you very much, Miss Sophie, thank you.
Miss Sophie :
Is everybody here?
James :
Indeed, they are, yeah. Yes... They are all here for your anniversary, Miss Sophie.
Miss Sophie :
All five places are laid out?
James :
All laid out as usual.
Miss Sophie :
Sir Toby?
James :
Sir Toby, yes, he's sitting here this year, Miss Sophie.
Miss Sophie :
Admiral von Schneider?
James :
Admiral von Schneider is sitting here, Miss Sophie.
Miss Sophie :
Mr. Pommeroy?
James :
Mr. Pommeroy I put round here for you.
Miss Sophie :
And my very dear friend, Mr. Winterbottom?
James :
On your right, as you requested, Miss Sophie!
Miss Sophie :
Thank you, James. You may now serve the soup.
James :
The soup, thank you very much, Miss Sophie, thank you. They are all waiting for you. Little drop of mulligatawny soup, Miss Sophie?
Miss Sophie :
I am particularly fond of mulligatawny soup, James.
James :
Yes, I know you are.
Miss Sophie :
I think we'll have sherry with the soup.
James :
Sherry with the soup, yes... Oh, by the way, the same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?
Miss Sophie :
Same procedure as every year, James.
James :
Same procedure as every year, James...
Miss Sophie :
Is that a dry sherry, James?
James :
Yes, a very dry sherry, Miss Sophie... very dry. Straight out of the cellar, this morning, Miss Sophie.
Miss Sophie :
Sir Toby!
James :
Cheerio, Miss Sophie!
Miss Sophie :
Admiral von Schneider!
James :
Ad... Must I say it this year, Miss Sophie?
Miss Sophie :
Just to please me, James.
James :
Just to please you. Very good, yes, yes... Skol!
Miss Sophie :
Mr. Pommeroy!
James :
Happy New Year, Sophie!
Miss Sophie :
And dear Mr. Winterbottom!
James :
Well, here we are again, old lovely...
Miss Sophie :
You may now serve the fish.
James :
Fish. Very good, Miss Sophie. Did you enjoy the soup?
Miss Sophie :
Delicious, James.
James :
Thank you, Miss Sophie, glad you enjoyed it. Little bit of North Sea haddock, Miss Sophie.
Miss Sophie :
I think we'll have white wine with the fish.
James :
White wine with the fish? The same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?
Miss Sophie :
The same procedure as every year, James!
James :
Yeah...
Miss Sophie :
Sir Toby!
James :
Cheerio, Miss Sophie, me gal...
Miss Sophie :
Admiral von Schneider!
James :
Oh, must I, Miss Sophie?
Miss Sophie :
James, please, please...
James :
Skol!
Miss Sophie :
Mr. Pommeroy!
James :
Happy New Year, Sophie gal!
Miss Sophie :
Mr. Winterbottom!
James :
You look younger than ever, love! Younger than ever! Ha, ha, ha...
Miss Sophie :
Please serve the chicken!
James :
Ya ...
Miss Sophie :
That looks a very fine bird!
James :
That's a lovely chu ... chuk ... chicken, that I'll tell you, a lovely ...
Miss Sophie :
I think we'll have champagne with the bird!
James :
Champagne, ya... Sssssame, same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?
Miss Sophie :
The same procedure as every year, James!
James :
Sophie, me gal ...
Miss Sophie :
Admiral von Schneider!
James :
Must I, Miss Sophie?
Miss Sophie :
James!
James :
Schkolll!
Miss Sophie :
Mr. Pommeroy!
James :
Happy New Year, Sophie, gal...
Miss Sophie :
Mr. Winterbottom!
James :
It's one of the nicest little woman... hic... one of the nicest little woman, that's ever breathed, that's ever breathed... I now declare this bazaar opened! Would you like some fruit?
Miss Sophie :
I think we'll have port with the fruit!
James :
Oh, ... no! S...ame procedure as last...
Miss Sophie :
Yes, the same procedure as last year, James!
James :
..............................!!!
Miss Sophie :
Sir Toby!
James :
Sugar in the morning, sugar...
Miss Sophie :
Admiral von Schneider!
James :
Schkolll!
Miss Sophie :
Mr. Pommoroy!
James :
I'm sorry, Madam, sorry.
Miss Sophie :
Mr. Winterbottom!
James :
Huuuhhh, I'll kill that cat!
Miss Sophie :
Well, James, it's been a wonderful party!
James :
Well, it's been most enjoyable.
Miss Sophie :
I think I'll retire.
James :
You're going to bed?
Miss Sophie :
Yes.
James :
Sit down, I'll give you a hand up, Madam.
Miss Sophie :
As I was saying, I'll retire...
James :
Ya... ya. By the way, the same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?
