The local theatre will always be for me a place haunted by Mother Goose.

Years ago, in my childhood, I went to a panto put on by my Father’s company. At the the intermission I was allowed to walk down the aisle, through the orchestra pit and backstage to meet the cast. I guess I’m still naive but in those days it must have been worse. The sight of Mother Goose, with no wig on, smoking and clearly a man was a revelation for me and I can still remember running back to my parents shouting out, “Mum, Dad, Mother Goose is a man !”.

Luckily I wasn’t scarred for life and I can go back to the same theatre although now it’s changed inside, redeveloped to loose the aisle and the orchestra pit.

Despite all that the presentation of Hamlet was really good. Set in the present with a crashed car, helicopter noises and all the action taking place in an upmarket hotel lobby. Even Ophelia was updated with a white plastic body bag
in which she was consigned to her grave.

It’s been ages since I saw any Shakespeare and this was a good start to seeing some more.

Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love

Happy Birthday T