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| Sunday, 11 May 2003 |
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Midsummer Madness "Gadzooks! What have we here?' asked Bottom in great surprise. 'What is it, Botty?' That was Snug. 'It's on Quince's e-mail; an invitation to see - would you believe it-a performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream! which will be written by the Bard about four hundred years from now,' Bottom replied. 'And where do we have to go to see these, these impersonators?' That was Oberon himself asking the question. 'Your maj, we don't have to go anywhere. The production which was done in Sri Lanka will be coming right here to the forest to put it over for us,' said Bottom. 'But I call that blatant plagiarism because we are the real people in the play,' said Ob. 'Actually I thought it was something to do with May Day which is a few days away,' he added. 'That's midsummer madness of another sort, your maj,' Bottom said, going off into fits of laughter. 'Take care, Botty, you could be clapped up into the Tower for saying that, you know. Politicians dont like that sort of thing being said about their day,' I heard Oberon say. 'But your maj, it's not their day; it's the workers' day,' and Bottom was off again into another paroxysm. 'In any case, your maj, that day of midsummer madness falls after the performance of that 'Dream' thing,' Bottom added. Enter Quince. 'Who has been messing about with my e-mail?' rather imperiously. 'I have, actually,' said Oberon, very casually. 'Beg pardon, King Oberon,' said Quince with a low bow. Giggles galore from Bottom. 'Whatever we may feel about this invitation which, funnily enough is coming right upto our doorstep instead of us going to theirs, which is what you do when you are invited anywhere, we shall receive the company right royally,' said Oberon. 'But your maj, the performance is not by Royal College,' said Bottom.' It's by some others directing the performance which also features, it says, the English Drama Society of a school called St. Peter's,' said Bottom with a funny smirk. At the mention of St. Peter, Snout, Starveling and some others crossed themselves, saying, in unison: 'Oh God, is he coming to judge us, then?' Oberon gave out such a laugh as I have seldom heard from him. 'Nothing of the kind! This is just a performance of this 'Dream' thing, as Botty called it, and we shall see how they do it. Although they are inviting us, they will actually be our guests,' Ob said, 'so we shall have to treat them well - maybe not quite that right royally, Botty, for yoursake,' quipped Oberon. Quince began to rush around to finalise arrangements to receive the group of players from Sri Lanka as all such arrangements are under his care. 'We shall have to make a special clearing in our part of the forest because there is nowhere they can perform,' said Bottom to Quince. 'Bots, I think you should leave that part of the arrangements to me,' said Quince rather sharply. He was under pressure because notice was short and there were so many things to be done 'What about accommodation? And food ?' Bottom persisted in his questioning sending poor Quince almost round the bend. 'Is that all you can think of, Bot, food and drink?' asked Snug. 'Well, it is the most important part because if they didn't have food and drink they would not be able to perform at all,' Bottom replied in clear, logical tones. Quince got to work to get the woodcutters to do some initial clearing and create a stage - on the grass itself - for the play. 'What about the lion?' Bottom again. 'Oh Bots, will you please stop asking questions about this, that and the other?' asked Quince. 'Once the forest clearing is made the rest will be quite simple,' said Quince, once again assuming optimistic tones. 'Yes, but where will they stay?' asked Bottom. 'Right here in our forest hotel which as you all know is on the periphery of the woods,' said Quince. 'What are you going to charge them per day?' asked Bottom, trying to sound very businesslike. 'They will be charged the best rates because they are a players' group and will, after all, be doing our own play with their characters,' said Quince. Just then an e-mail came in: 'Will be bringing our own lion, don't worry,' it said. As Quince read it out there was consternation all round. 'Gadzooks! Your maj, did you hear that?' asked Bottom, half hysterical. 'They can't be allowed to bring real live lions in here because, for one thing, our little Blithe Spirits of the Night will be scared out of their wits,' said Bottom, adding: 'And for another, Queen Titania is also here.' It was amusing to hear that. Another urgent e-mail came iin just then. It said that the actors would be bringing their own lion tamers with them - in case. 'In case of what? asked Bottom who was playing a dynamic role in the arrangements - or so he thought. But that's Bottom. 'They cannot be allowed to bring wild animals into this forest. Your maj, can you hear?' asked Bottom. Oberon was taking a little rest on his favourite tree, but he heard what Bottom said. 'Botty, you know, the play calls for a lion,' he said, 'so they absolutely have to have one.' 'B-but your maj' Bottom stuttered, 'we did the Play Within the Play with our own makeshift lion. Your maj, you know what the Bard is going to say four hundred and something years from now: 'A lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing.' Oberon just could not resist a laugh. 'Now that's what I call real insight, Bots,' he said. 'Okay, then - no lion; we shall e-mail them saying so. They will have to bring their own makeshift lion. No wild beasts in these green glades.' That command of Ob's was final. He always has a soft spot for Bottom. And the latter? He danced a jig round Quince. 'Send off the e-thing! Send off the e-thing immediately otherwise they might air freight the lion before they arrive!' exclaimed Bottom. 'That, Bots, will not happen,' said Oberon. 'Hurray! Hurray! Three cheers for his majesty King Oberon! And now let's get out the bubbly! Get the bubbly, Puck! now's the time to drink that toast to his maj.' End of scene - until Puck returns with the stewards carrying trays of the stuff that cheers Bottom so much. -Tit |
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