Home Again by Susan L.

   Two plays and an overnight stay in a B&B. Good food, great company and even better weather. "The Man of La Mancha" was utterly brilliant. The singers were outstanding. It was a moving and powerful performance as they put their heart and soul into the music. I was sorry when it was over.
 "Alice Though the Looking Glass" was a delightful, if somewhat dark, performance. The use of costume, props and puppetry made an imagined and bizarre world work. What amazed me is the elaborate stage setting for Man of La Mancha was completely gone because Alice was performed at the same theatre, the Avon.
  There were a lot of children present for the matinee. I am sure for many it was their introduction to live theatre. There was a bit of a pantomime element to the show so the audience was involved in the performance. A couple of specially chosen children got to pull a rope that affected what was happening on stage. The actors called them by name as a rope dropped out of the ceiling. The second time released parachuting jelly beans into the audience. What fun! Then the actors tossed out handfuls so everyone could get some. It made me feel like a kid again as I caught them.
  Before going to Alice, we strolled along the river, pausing now and then to sit on a bench. Watching the beautiful swans meticulously preening each of their already gleaming white feathers or gliding along the smooth surface of the water was a performance of its own. There was an Art in the Park exhibition so we meandered through, admiring the work of many different artisans. They left me inspired.
  It was a wonderful time.
  "The eyes of all look expectantly to you, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Ps 145:15-16