If only Trump knew. Sinclair Lewis, the first American writer to receive a Nobel prize for literature, wrote a play in 1935 that could have been written now. So much so, that an impromptu performance at the National Arts Club last week by the Peccadillo Theatre Company saw a packed house and a gleeful reception. Penned during the rise of fascism, the themes and language of the play were particularly poignant, and the mere mention of building a wall ( around Europe ) bought howls of grimaced laughter. My favorite line was you can only negotiate with a shotgun from one end. If only the Theatre Company would go national…

The mission of The National Arts Club is ‘to stimulate, foster, and promote public interest in the arts’. As a private club, only members can access most of the scheduled events, but the galleries and some performances are open to the public. Fortunately ‘It Can’t Happen here’ was one of them. It was worth going just to see the Club elders with their professorial velvet hats and theatrical garb. There could be no photos of course, but clearly they have been entrusted with the culture of the club, founded by the New York Times literary and art critic in 1898. And the bar is another story. A red chaise chair would be the perfect pouffe in which to relax with a martini before dinner. Members only. But the fact that the club welcomed women from the outset shows they have style. I just have to wrangle an invitation from a member, or find two in good standing to nominate me for membership. At least this should preclude running into certain politicians…