Toby Young Toby Young

The feminist case for banning women from the Garrick 

Alamy 
issue 09 December 2023

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Garrick. Named after an 18th-century theatrical impresario, it was established in 1831 as a club where ‘actors and men of refinement and education might meet on equal terms’, and in the intervening years it has admitted members of other equally disreputable professions – lawyers, writers, surgeons, journalists. I was put up myself about 15 years ago, but blackballed by the chair of the catering committee who took exception to a throwaway remark I’d made about the food. I intend to reapply, but will probably be blackballed again on account of the argument I’m about to make in defence of the club’s ‘men only’ membership policy.

Why am I against admitting women? Firstly, they’re already allowed in as guests and can enjoy almost all the same services as members

You might think that would endear me to the crumbling pillars of the British establishment, but no.

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