I know very little about this short sketch, which I came across on an old cassette tape. The Zoo Director is very obviously John Cleese, but Butterling, the keeper, is our old chum A.N. Other. Could it be David Frost? Perhaps from The Frost Report days? Whoever it was, he played Butterling as a very dead-pan Zoo Keeper. Cleese, as the Zoo Director was as always, very authoritarian indeed.

Aha! A spot of Googling (They can't touch you for it) reveals that the sketch was from 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again' — which leaves the mystery actor... well, a mystery. Oh well...

4th June 2009, and an e-mail from Peter J Lusby confirms that the sketch was included in a Parlophone LP record of material from The Frost Report, and in that incarnation, Butterling was indeed played by Mr Frost. Thanks Peter! Material was, of course, re-cycled between Radio and TV programmes, and doubtless still circulates in much the same way.

Here we are in August, 2011, and I receive further intelligence from Peter Lusby in California. He has traced a 45rpm 7" Parlophone record label which shows that the sketch was issued under the title 'Zookeeper', the artiste being credited as David Frost, despite the relatively minor role he plays. The date was 1966, and The Frost Report starred Mr Frost, assisted by little-known performers, including John Cleese, who is credited only as the writer on the label.

Secretary:

The Head Keeper is here to see you, Sir.

Director:

Thank you — send him in please.

Secretary:

Yes, sir.

Director:

Come in, Butterling.

Butterling:

Sir.

Director:

Now when you joined this Zoo, just three weeks ago, Butterling, It was the second largest Zoo in the whole of Europe. We had over six thousand animals. All we have left are two hyenas, a rhinoceros and a ferret with a wooden leg. Where are the others?

Butterling:

I don't know, Sir.

Director:

They're in the main street, Butterling, the main street! All except for the Water Buffalo.

Butterling:

Where's the Water Buffalo, Sir?

Director:

In my bathroom. My wife found it there early this morning, Butterling. She's a nervous woman. The Police caught her just forty minutes ago. She was over a hundred miles away, still running. She doesn't remember anything, and she thinks she's a potato.

Butterling:

I'm sorry, Sir.

Director:

That's all right — I didn't like her anyway. The town, Butterling, it looks like a national game reserve. I mean, Butterling, how does anyone lose giraffes?

Butterling:

People take them, Sir.

Director:

You're lying, Butterling, you're lying. I know all about your little agreement with the sausage factory. And the aviary, Butterling, my little pride and joy, the aviary... What have you done to it?

Butterling:

I put all the birds in one cage, Sir.

Director:

Well?

Butterling:

The Vulture's looking very well, Sir.

Director:

I'm dismissing you as from tomorrow, Butterling. One of the baboons can take over for the time being. Now, for the rest of the day: One, get the ferret out of the elephant cage. It doesn't fool anyone. Second, Butterling, can you impersonate animals?

Butterling:

Yes Sir.

Director:

Well?

Butterling:

Cluck, cluck, Sir.

Director:

What was that, Butterling?

Butterling:

A chicken, Sir. Bow wow, Sir.

Director:

No, no don't tell me, Butterling, let me guess that one — that was a dog.

Butterling:

Oh, thank you Sir. Moo.

Director:

(irate) This is a Zoo, Butterling, not a farm! Get out! Go and feed the animals... the animal... Oh, and Butterling...If there's a potato waiting outside — tell her I love her.