The appalling guests

Michael Parkinson has described Victoria Mather and Sue Macartney-Snape as "not so much observers, more collectors, pinning their victims like butterflies in a display cabinet. Their observations are made with the wit and humour necessary to survive the circles they move in." True to form, 'The Appalling Guests' offers the chance to delight in yet another array of social stereotypes, from supermodel Tweetie's baby shower (the editor of Vogue has bought a leather nappy bag with organic nappy rash unguents wrapped in silver cellophane and sequins) to the Chalfont St Oswald amateur dramatics society staging of 'Little Red Riding Hood' with leading light Pam, who has written it, directed it, designed the costumes and given herself the leading role. You'll recognise them all -- the back seat driver, the beautiful boy at the gym, the merchant banker, the 'Archers' addict and the competitive mother. And thanks to 'The Appalling Guests', you'll know how to avoid them.