Wherever I Lay My Hat

The New Years Eve gig might have been given the green light, but the fate of Panto is still uncertain. I wouldn’t put it past Boris to announce a two week “circuit breaker” starting on 3rd January, on the assumption that no one will mind because we’ve had our Christmas and New Year celebrations so won’t care about a fortnight of not going out. Except those two weeks are when our pantomime traditionally takes place. We started rehearsing in June 2020, missed the January 2021 performance slot due to lockdown 3 and picked up rehearsals again in October. Our final rehearsals are scheduled for tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. It will be absolutely galling if we get that far and then have the rug pulled from under us.
We do have to also face the possibility that even if we are allowed to perform, it would only take a couple of positive covid tests amongst the cast to effectively cancel the show. The only thing we can do is stay safe and keep going on the basis that the show will go on.
Besides which, I can’t really wear this hat unless I’m on stage. Well, I could, but it might look a bit weird in Asda - even by Kendal standards! For a change, my costume this year is almost cool looking. A long black coat festooned with buckles and zips, topped off with this hat, lends a slightly menacing air to the character. Obviously, that illusion is shattered as soon as the audience hear my lines, but the initial appearance might get a reaction!
The only slight issue is that the hat is made out of some sort of pressed card, that gets very itchy after only a few minutes. Factor in the hot lights and it could all get rather uncomfortable quite quickly. We’ll see how it goes at dress rehearsal and be prepared to stick in some sort of lining if I break out in a rash!