In this book, the first volume of her autobiography, Joyce Grenfell tells the story of her life up to 1954: a madcap childhood as the daughter of Nancy Astor's youngest sister; social life on the fringes of a stately home, Clivedon Manor; recruited as radio critic of The Observer; an entertainment tour of the Middle East; a first revue attempt and then at last her own show, Joyce Grenfell Requests the Pleasure.