Soothsayer

Another tourist day in Stratford upon Avon. A visit to Shakespeare's birthplace which despite much actual evidence of links with Shakespeare made a very effective presentation. And still fascinating to see the house he owned and the bedroom he was reputed to be born in.

The house has been a focus of pilgrimage over the centuries and predating guest books some of those paying homage would sign their names on the window. The window has been preserved - see extra - but I could not make out where Thomas Carlisle or Sir Walter Scott's signatures appear - amid nest many others.

Then on to the RSC again tonight for a superb performance of Anthony and Cleopatra. Vivacious, humerous, emotional dramatic and some great staging.

The rules are that photography is not permitted during the performance which I respected but I did capture before the start an actor - Will Bliss - settling in before curtain up ( not that there is a curtain). Shortly afterwards the attendants asked for photography to be stopped but not before I had also captured the wider stage.

Was torn between the close up and the wider view. I preferred the close up as my blip but have added the other as an extra to convey the sumptiousness of drapes of the Egyptian Queen's court.