Drama Of Pheromones

Cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Fri, 21 Nov 2025
  • 152 reads
14 comments
 

Dear diary...

I first realized I loved the bodies natural odour when

I went to see the great musical Hair at the Hippodrome

Bristol in 1970.

 

I knew from my own experience in amateur dramatics

that a lot of sweat, tears and emotions went into

singing, dancing and learning lines, all that exhaustive

energy would cause the bodies natural glands to sweat

profusely, along with the stage makeup that would melt

under the lights.

 

It was during the performance that the actors came

down off the stage and started dancing amongst the

audience. One of the actors, this gorgeous hippy guy

with long brown hair and the sexiest face this teenager

had ever seen, came and sat on my lap...boy was I in

seventh heaven? Oh! Yes.

 

The guy had a radiance even off stage, wearing denim

flairs, a jacket that was covered in feathers, they were

also adorning his long wild hair. He'd created a fantasy

in this sixteen year old's imagination.

 

Of course I wouldn't have shared my reverie with

anyone at the time. This was my own private, crazy

pipe dream, of leaving my seat and running up on to

the stage to sing and dance, where I'd become part of

an amazing experience. In my head I'd perform every

night and be taken under the wing of this beautiful guy,

going on some wild adventure. But of course I was

totally out of their league, even though I had a taste for

acting, it was never to be.

 

Back to reality, by the time I got myself together he'd

kissed my cheek and one of the brownish feathers

landed on me, I was trembling with excitement after

the peck on my cheek. It all happened so quickly, but

his body odour remained on the feather, I just kept

sniffing the feather for the rest of the evening, while

being as inconspicuous as possible

 

After the performance I managed to get two

autographs, but the signitures are not decipherable.

Also when I got home I placed the feather in a small

blue box and still have it to this day, but sadly have no

idea where the box is, I know it's somewhere in the

house, but at least the autographs are still here, so it's

not all bad.

 

It has to be said that those days of that musical Hair

and the hippies of the 60s with flowers, bells, peace

and love, along with some amazing music, filled my

life with so much pleasure, freaking out and beautiful

people...they'll stay with me forever.

 

 

 

 

Certificate PG
Biography
Dear Diary
Biography
Love
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)
Journal
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

What a wonderful memory Jenny, and so perfect for the Inspiration Point. You took me to a place of dazzling sound, colour and scent!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so happy you liked this memory insert. Very much appreciate the cherries. Thank you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I can't smell very well, so don't think of scent much. But this is great :0) A big contrast to the 80's I remember, when people seemed to have an invisible armour of body spray, and hair crunchy with hair spray. What a thrilling memory you describe! And a great title, too

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Good morning Di,

I'm sorry you are not able to smell aromas and scents that well. I am the opposite, which can be good but sometimes it's a pain, especially when there's unpleasant smells.

The thing about being on stage in a musical, is that you exert so much energy with all the dancing and singing, that the body seems to sweat a lot quicker, I know because of my amateur dramatics that I was doing at the time, it's really hard work, but so much fun acting with like minded people.

I appreciate you stopping by to read and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by celticman on

Hair today, gone tomorrow. Well, in my case that's true. Your memories hold true. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I know the feeling of hair today and gone tomorrow Jack. My hair wasn't ever that thick, but now it's thinner than ever and grey where it used to be brown. I absolutely adored long hair when I was young, especially on men, it gave them a mystery...well it did in my eyes. wink

Many thanks for stopping by to read and your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

A story of a great memory for you there Jenny, and nicely told.

My only memory of the Bristol Hippodrome brings back the smell of fear. About twenty-five years ago I went with some people from work to see a performance of Swan Lake. Our seats (the cheapest, by the way) were near the front of the highest tier of what seemed like a giant wedding cake. It was called the Extra Ultra Upper Circle or something like that. The rows of seats rose very steeply in such a way that we could easily have plummeted. It was a great ballet perfomance even though we could only see the tops of the dancers' heads.  

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

That's such a shame how you felt when going to see Swan Lake. I've never sat up that high before, always managed to get a seat downstairs. 

We used to drink in a side street pub, I think the street name is Denmark Street, but I don't recall the name of the pub. We'd see many of the famous actors in there, because it's so close to the Hippodrome, and was always packed, especially around Christmas time, I've had many a great night in there.

Everything's changed so much about Bristol since I left in 1987. Can't quite believe it has flown so quick. But it's funny how the I P can jog those certain memories isn't it? 

Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts. It's always nice to hear from you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

My friends and I used to go to a lot of gigs at Colston Hall and the Arena in Bristol and for both venues the Bunch of Grapes in Denmark Street was the perfect place to meet. It was too for Hippodrome punters and actors, so that might be the pub you were referring to.

Once when we were all congregating there I arrived first to find the place full of people dressed as nuns. They were all on their way to see the Sound of Music at the Hippodrome but it took me a while to realise that and found it quite unnerving as I stood amongst them at the bar waiting for my pint to be pulled.

It was a magnificent pub in the day but I have it from a reliable source that it's gone out of business and stands empty, unused and unloved. It's heartbreaking news which I'm sorry to share.

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

That's it! the Bunch Of Grapes! Such happy evenings spent in there. What a crazy evening that must have been surrounded by so many nuns. That's such sad news about the pub now closed and unloved, seems to me that our memories are all we have left of many great pubs that have been lost in time.

I too saw many bands at the Colston Hall. Saw David Bowie in I think it was in ether 1970, 1971 or 72. also Pink Floyd, and the original Fleetwood Mac, also BB Kiing, Rory Gallagher, King Crimson...so many bands. Back in those days you never had bouncers and you could get up close to the bands, so much better than the barricades they put up now. I remember sitting in the front seat at BB King's concert and was so close to the stage, I could almost touch his guitar he named Lucille, BB even smiled at me and winked which made me adore the man even more, I was such a fan of the blues,

What amazing memories you have Turlough. To think you frequented so many of the places I loved so much.

HAPPY DAYS!

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Wow!

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Your reminiscences always take me back to similar days in my life- My first Broadway play was also at the tender age of sixteen, it was 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and the lead actor with his long hair and beautiful face drew on this teenagers romantic dreams too. It was the 70's but in New York the vibes of the sixties lingered well into the mid-seventies. I love the theatre and would go to Broadway plays whenever I could. Front row center seating put you right in the play. I loved seeing ‘The Magic Show’ with Doug Henning and ‘Dracula' with a very young Frank Langella, it wasn't so dark and tragic like the movie they made him do, it was lighthearted and comedic with a gothic, romance flair, and he was absolutely gorgeous as Dracula. I have well over forty playbills from plays I'd been to with my husband, and when he was my boyfriend. We’d go for almost every anniversary or special occasion to a Broadway play and dinner. I miss that time in New York so thank you for bringing it back to me.

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Penny,

I too loved Jesus Christ Superstar, but have never seen it at the Theatre, only watched the film. I absolutely still do adore the music and the actors with all those beautiful people singing and dancing, it gives me a sense that we as teenagers had something so special to share at the time. I don't know if anyone today would understand the effect it had on us, but one thing's for sure, it left a spell on my life that cannot be broken.

That's great that you have so many wonderful memories of sharing these moments with your husband, which I'm sure you treasure, may they always remain. Also I too love those gothic productions, but again have never seen them at the theatre, only on the big screen.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me, it was a pleasure to read and leaves me feeling that I'm glad someone else shares those recollections of being a young teenager and falling in love with those beautiful long haired actors.

May Love, Peace & Happiness always remain in our hearts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

I was also excellent with daydreams Jenny but I have to admit yours are intricate sublime beyond belief. Fantastical, how entertaining! I would love to be that guy, your rock star! Though your lap would be a bit small(iish) I think.

I have been assured by women friends they don't like the smell of sweat, nor urine or semen nor god forbid – but well – I won't know will I?

Keep well! Tom