Theatre and Dance

Questions for George Bear? He's waiting eagerly to hear from you and will shortly be available to sign autographs.

George Bear (aka Aloysius)
Hallo RogerYour Aloysius certainly seems to be a bit of a "Flyte-by-night", and I will keep a good lookout for him. I am a bit worried that he is trying to sabotage my debut in the theatre, perhaps by grabbing the ends of my rather poncey scarf and whipping me off stage mid-performance, only to substitute himself. Though I guess once he opens his mouth (I'm still waiting for those reading lessons, by the way...) and utters his lines, the audience may get a clue when he says, "Contra mundum, cobber", they may get a clue that they have an Aussie imposter. I will ensure that he is sent back by second class post (third if there is one). And he can keep his mitts off Olive (my owl girlfriend), too. Let him find his own bird - the men at St John's Players keep talking about some Australian bird called a Kylie - so he can leave my Olive alone. I hope I'm not abducted after the last night party - I've got quite settled where I am and have been promised a part in a long running West End play, "The Beartrap". My owner, the director, says, "Are you still sane after directing "Brideshead Revisited"? She's not.Love George

Roger
Hi George,Fascinated to read your blog. However - a salutary lesson. I directed the Sydney production of Brideshead and our Aloysius (who was always rather reticent about revealing his real name..or indeed much else)absconded after the final night party and we have not seen hide nor bear of him since. Whilst he had secretly harboured ambitions to take over the role of Mr Ryder, and indeed was frequently seen sitting in his leather armchair with a good book, his sudden departure was simple bear-faced cheek. I do have to report that when last observed he was sipping Pimms with our Sebastian and they were observed departing together into the night...it appears he may have taken Flyte so to speak...In any event if a bear in dark glasses and a head scarf hapens to turn up on your opening night in row A mumbling Mr Ryders lines under his breath with a slight Australian accent I'd be pleased if you could send him home or at least, as they say, please look after this bear.Thank you

Freddie
Hi George, I'm doing a bit of PR work here! Have you heard of The Bear Club? www.thebearclub.co.uk They might even like a link to your blog.

Clint
Dear George,I'd watch that Henry/Henrietta - he/she'll have you morris dancing next! Beware. I'd keep your minder dog Ben close!

George Bear (aka Aloysius)
Hallo Henry (or Henrietta, whatever the case may be - I am a little confused by that, but will gloss over it as you called me "Gorgeous").I do have some adventures, don't I, but your camping trips sound great fun. If you let me know when you're next going, I will check my diary, but I'm a bit tied up with "Brideshead Revisited" until October. What songs do you like singing in camp? Personally, I like "YMCA" by the Village People. We could dress up as a cowboy, a red Indian, a builder and a policeman! Wouldn't that be fun? What camp games do you play? I like Twister myself, you get into all sorts of weird positions with that. Can my owl girlfriend, Olive, come too, please? She was Brown Owl in her guide group and she tells me that they used to rub sticks together, tie funny knots and cook moss (or was it moths? Yuk!)Are you a girl guide? Or a boy scout? Or what?Do you really like my scarf? I think it's a bit effeminate, myself. I think you must be a girl. I'll see if they can find a pink one I can send to you. Anyway, nice talking to you. Love from Gorgeous George Bear. xx

George Bear (aka Aloysius)
Dear ElaineThank you for your comment. I was a little worried by it, initially, as I couldn't bear to be part of a production with any "shenanigans" going on (I am a truly innocent bear, you see), but my owner (the Director) has assured me that everything is being very tastefully done, and the play is in fact suitable for audiences of all ages. I believe my beloved "Golden Boy" Sebastian undoes his shirt in one scene, as does Charles, (that scene alone will be worth the ticket price - £6, I think), but I have been very impressed, nay, MOVED, by how much emotion can be expressed by sheer acting ability alone rather than by any "goings on". Phew! I can safely take Olive to see it then; I don't want to give her the wrong idea about my chosen profession - she might be scared off by my future plans for "baby bowls". Wood Green sounds very interesting. I believe my owner went there when she was looking for a "minder" for me, but couldn't find any "minder bears", it was all dogs and cats. Perhaps that's how I ended up with Ben, he's a dog. I think I would have preferred a bear, though...Ben keeps licking me, which is what dogs do, I'm told...my fur is getting all tacky, ugh! Well, nice to talk, Elaine, I feel I coule bear my soul to you. Please could you put a word in for my reading lessons, please? Time is getting short and no sign yet of my tutor - I guess they're waiting for Daniel Craig to become available, so he can cover the reading, acting and "cool guy" aspects all in one. The play starts on 24th October and I've got a whole script to learn....Love George

Henry
Hallo gorgeous George! I think you look very smart wearing your lovely scarf. My name’s Henry – but my closest friends call me Henrietta. Your adventures sound very exciting. I like to go camping. Do you? Would you like to come camping with me and my camp friends? We have lots of fun sitting around the camp fire, singing camp songs and playing camp games. We have LOTS of fun! Henrietta xx

Elaine
I hope the play is not a true adaptation of either the book or the series as you will be witness to some grown-up goings on that a bear of your tender years should not be witness to. I would hate for you to end up in the psychiatric wing of Wood Green, traumatised by what were 'bearing' witness to which would be a lot of 'bareing'