The book and musical is based on Salisbury's sex life during her 40s and 50s, following her second divorce, and her fondness for younger men.
Salisbury, nearly 72, continued to buy and sell antiques while writing her books, which have included Move over Mrs Robinson and The Toyboy Diaries which was published in 2007.
Salisbury began her business when she converted a writing slope into a humidor for her then husband in the 1970s.
After that she developed a business converting and then later making humidors - humidity-controlled boxes used for storing cigars and pipe tobacco. Touchwood Designs employed a team of makers and after seven years the business was taken on by a new owner.
“I grew up around Bayswater and visited Portobello Road market regularly. I was always drawn to boxes: writing slopes, sewing boxes, tea caddies. My idea for the humidor came from my love of boxes,” she said.
In the 1990s Salisbury continued her antique humidor business and expanded into antique safes converted into cigar storage and cocktail cabinets. She is now focusing on antique travelling trunks.
Her major client is Mount Street cigar firm Sautter Cigars, which she supplies with humidors converted from 19th century and early 20th century trunks by brands such as Louis Vuitton, Goyard and Moynard. She still works with the cabinet maker that she worked with in the 1970s.
Salisbury has taken time out from her humidor business to work with the theatre on producing the show which will run until February 10.
She said: “I don’t mix the antiques dealing with the writing. They are two separate worlds for me. But the Mount Street client is aware of the musical and paid me a compliment.”
Salisbury added: “I still have the energy. Keeping busy helps. Remember I have five grandchildren too.”
Despite the success, she still loves the thrill of the antiques hunt. She said: “One of my greatest joys is walking into an antiques shop or centre to scan the room for suitcases and trunks.”
