It is said there are only six degrees of separation between any two people in the world. It sounds a dubious claim, the billion strong populations in India and in China are probably further removed than six degrees from a village in rural Somerset. However, there was a sense of satisfaction in being able to work out that I was only six degrees removed from Saoirse Ronan, who stars in the film adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and tragedy, The Seagull.

Whilst a clergyman in Dublin, Anne Moen Bullitt was a parishioner during the final years of her life. Anne Bullitt’s mother was the political activist and journalist Louise Bryant.  In the film Reds, which tells the story of the Russian Revolution, Louise Bryant was played by Diane Keaton. Diane Keaton’s co-star in the film was Warren Beatty, who also directed and produced the epic historical drama. Warren Beatty’s wife is the actor Annette Bening, who stars in The Seagull with Saoirse Ronan.

Of course, tracing linkages via Anne Bullitt might enable claims of connections as spurious as that with Saoirse Ronan. Anne Bullitt’s father was William Bullitt, who served as ambassador of the United States in Moscow and then in Paris during the 1930s. An appointee of Roosevelt, William Bullitt was familiar with Stalin and was a friend of Sigmund Freud – entirely spuriously, I could claim three degrees of separation between myself and all three.

The words that comes to mind are those of a 1927 music hall song, I’ve danced with a man, who’s danced with a girl, who’s danced with the Prince of Wales, in which the singer delights in there being only three degrees of separation between herself and the future king, Edward VIII.

I’ve danced with a man, who’s danced with a girl, who’s danced with the Prince of Wales.
It was simply grand, he said “Topping band” and she said “Delightful, Sir”
Glory, Glory, Alleluia! I’m the luckiest of females
For I’ve danced with a man, who’s danced with a girl, who’s danced with the Prince of Wales.
My word I’ve had a party, my word I’ve had a spree
Believe me or believe me not, it’s all the same to me!
I’m wild with exultation, I’m dizzy with success
For I’ve danced with a man, I’ve danced with a man-
who
well, you’ll never guess
I’ve danced with a man, who’s danced with a girl, who’s danced with the Prince of Wales.
I’m crazy with excitement, completely off the rails

Perhaps, by some unlikely chain of connections, I really am connected to someone deep within rural China.