Guest Blog: Monsieur Affable appearing in Oxford this Christmas
Reposting with the kind permission of Monsieur Affable, an extract from his soon-to-be-published (possibly) memoir. He will be appearing in Oxford this Christmas, leading his troupe of travelling players as they present ‘The tale of the Beauty and the tail of the Beast’ for your festive enjoyment.
An Actor’s Life For Me
The Diary Of A Touring Player
By Monsieur Affable
Ahhh, the open road!! What a feeling, to be journeying on to places unknown in our caravan of dreams, leaving only the magic of theatre behind us. Just 24 small hours ago we ventured into a grey little town on the Normandy border and were greeted by the miserable drab faces of ordinary folk worn down by the cares of life. As they heard the clatter of our cart echo down their cobbled streets, they flocked into the street. The sadness in their eyes seemed to be saying, “Please, Monsieur Affable. Please bring joy and wonder back to our lives.” What a responsibility!! “I will do my best,” I thought, “Though the effort will take more from me than you know.”
I turned to my troop of dream-makers. “Thespians,” I said, “These people need us. Let us erect our stage in this pathetic square and bring to them the excitement and danger that only theatre can bring. Tonight we will perform……….’The Tragic And Extraordinary Tale of Margaret, and The Dragon Who Was Scared Of Fire’”.
“Wonderful!” They replied. “But maybe, Monsieur Affable, we could give them the world premier of your new script about the beauty and the beast?”
“No, no, my merry band. That is an honour reserved for the people of Oxford – which is apparently a little village somewhere in the middle of England. Let us begin!”
That evening we astonished those quaint townsfolk. Sadly, my fellow players were not up to their best, but I was able to rescue the play with my heartfelt portrayal of The Dragon. Afterwards, as I sat on the edge of the stage, sweat dripping from my brow, a young child approached me.
“Monsieur Affable?” he enquired, “Are your shoulders hurting?”
“Why do ask little one?”
“Because you carried that show.”
What a wise young boy.
We left the next morning before sunrise, with the memory of cheering and applause ringing in our ears.
Now, as my fellow players lie asleep regaining their strength for this evening’s performance, I hold the reins, driving us onwards, happy in the knowledge that we have brought the gift of theatre to another small corner of France.
To get your seats reserved head to the booking page.