MEMORIES – both happy and sad – were the order of the evening as Liverpool’s most famous poets joined the ranks of those paying their respects to the current Everyman.

Obituaries are usually written after an old friend has passed on.

But not so for this much-loved Liverpool theatre where Roger McGough, Brian Patten and the late Adrian Henri first tested their material in the cellar bar.

They have changed since their “happenings” surprised and thrilled makeshift audiences, who had only stopped by for a drink and a chat.

But, while older on the outside, they remain internally and eternally young, with as much twinkle and mischief as they were famous for back in the day.

Joining them on stage last night was guitarist Andy Roberts, who recorded the LP The Incredible New Liverpool Scene with McGough and Henri in 1967.

His soundscapes – a flavour of Nino Rota for McGough’s Mafia Cats, a Casablanca-poetry mash-up for You Must Remember This and dramatic tension for Not For Me A Young Man’s Death (all by McGough); lyrical for Patten’s Between Heaven and Woolworths – enhanced the musical qualities and rhythm of the verse.