And Though She Be But Little...

 ...She Is Fierce

This is one of my favourite quotes from A Midsummer Night's Dream - in fact it is on our family photos wall, a gift from my daughter. Clever Bob spotted an ad for an open air production of MND taking place just outside the village, last Sunday afternoon at Bylaugh Hall.

When my family moved to Dereham in the 60s, the Hall looked like this - an absolute ruin. All the lead had been stripped from the roof, there were trees growing inside the walls. But about 15 years ago, it was bought, and is gradually being restored. 

The Festival Players  [patron Dame Judi Dench] were coming for one afternoon as part of their 2022 tour, to perform this seasonal delight. We bought tickets, and packed a small picnic lunch, and our folding chairs. It rained during church, but then as we arrived at the Hall at 1pm, the sun came out.

On the South Lawn we found a small stage in front of a gazebo, and lots of other visitors. There were a few stalls selling local crafts, and snacks.The gardens were clearly a WIP. And four quirky older ladies, with daisy hairbands and fairy wings were selling raffle tickets [we never found out who they were, or what the raffle was supporting!] The sky clouded over as we ate our ham rolls.

See the clouds getting worse- as the play began, the heavens opened. It was almost impossible to hear what was said, but the actors carried on - and the brollies went up. The Blue Barclays Brolly in front of me went left, then right, then down then up - and at times I couldn't see the stage [so I amused myself watching the lady who was sleeping through it all! The rain stopped, for Oberon and Titania.

As per Shakespeare's Men at the Globe, all the cast were male, and all played two or three parts each. One guy was a charming Hermia, a mischievous Puck and a boring Snug-the-joiner. Costume changes were swift and clever. Bottom's ass head was really over the top!

It was a great afternoon - we had a good chat to a couple of friends in the interval. I'm pleased to report that the portaloos were clean, fragrant and efficient]

But a couple more brief bursts of heavy rain left me wet through. At the end, we came home, and stripped off all our clothes. "I am soaked to the skin - even my knickers are soaking! "I complained. But it was worth it - what a treat for a summer afternoon.

And then I watched the first 10 minutes and the last half hour of the football. [That's ten times my usual attention span for the beautiful game] Rosie was bedside herself with happiness when we WhatsApped afterwards. I tried to explain that last time we won any sort of football trophy like this, her Uncle was just a little boy not even at school. But the win has certainly lifted people's spirits. 

Good times never seemed so good...