Yesterday I became aware once again of how tiny little moments, chance encounters, fleeting glances, an easily missed but deeply significant second can lead to seismic consequences further down the line.

On this occasion I received an email from a sender called Ralph Griffiths. I do get sent literally hundreds of emails every day, not because I'm a particularly friendly guy but because in the business of running a venue there is a lot of people who would like a gig. I nearly missed it.

The sender was not in fact Ralph Griffiths but Madeline Smith using the email of Ralph Griffiths to contact me. Now I feel you already raising the question, who is Madeline Smith and it's true that I myself, at the time of reading, only had a vague memory somewhere of her being a Bond girl. Which indeed she was. But wait a moment gentle reader, let me tell you, that with a simple Google search a giant chasm of British comedy from the 70s opened up before my eyes.

Even if this simple truth leaves you unmoved, you have to understand that your humble correspondent has had and an healthy obsession with British Comedy since his dissertation on Carry On films at Bristol University in 1982. My shelves are heavy with Dads Army Annuals, Rising Damp DVDs, biographries of Charles Hawtrey (The Man Who Was Private Widdle) and my treasured Morecambe and Wise jigsaw.

For someone like me being directly emailed by someone who has appeared in Carry On Matron, Up Pompeii, Steptoe and Son and alongside the likes of Eric Morecambe, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques and Frankie Howerd is the equivalent of her Majesty the Queen herself knocking on the door and popping in for a cup of tea. I needed a little sit down in a darkened room and a cool flannel on the forehead for 10 minutes recuperation.

Colchester Arts Centre is screening the classic horror film Theatre Of Blood on Thursday 29th June and amongst the cast is one Madeline Smith which is the reason she contacted me.

Apparently, this screening came up in conversation with her cousin William (Bill) Lawrence, Senior History Master at Philip Morant School - and through this process Madeline Smith herself will be here in person for a Q and A after the screening. I’m told she is bringing me a signed photograph from Carry On Matron. Thank you Bill! Thank you Madeline! Thank you world! I nearly, so nearly missed it.

Colchester Arts Centre

Thursday 29th June

Classic Horror: Theatre Of Blood

Tickets are available from the box office on 01206 500900.