Theatre and Dance

Part three - 5th September 2007: Aloysius - a bear in disgrace

I am in disgrace! I tried to strangle that “mean Mulcaster”, and my owner is not too chuffed with me.

The week started peacefully enough. I was taken down by my owner, the director of “Brideshead Revisited” (M&S plastic carrier this time, very nice, too) to the Fulbourn Centre, and Olive, my owl girlfriend, was snuggled up in the bag, too. I wanted to impress her with my theatrical knowledge, so thought I’d have a little play on the lighting desk (that’s Olive in the picture above wearing the headphones, isn’t she gorgeous?).

You may wonder why I am wearing sunglasses. We-e-lll, I’ll tell you. At home, I had overheard a very exciting snippet of conversation about my much-need reading lessons (I do have a whole script to learn by 24th October, you know). My owner called to her hubby, “Where’s the Basildon Bond?” I was SO-OO excited! They were obviously trying to locate the sexy new James Bond, Daniel Craig, to give me my reading lessons, coupled with acting lessons, and “cool dude” lessons (not that I’m in particular need of the last one, naturally…). I didn’t know he lived in Basildon, though. 

Cuddle! Don't SQUEEZE!

Anyhow, hence the “cool” shades. I think the lights had fused though. Couldn’t see a thing. Never mind, I think Olive was suitably impressed. 

After this, I was introduced to Captain Charles Ryder, (played by Kieron Toner). He is rather a handsome fellow, but don’t you think he’s grasping me rather tightly and looking at me in a rather fierce fashion?

I think he may be a little jealous of my “special relationship” with my adopted daddy, “Golden Boy” Sebastian (played by Dean Ward). 

Ah, my beloved Sebastian...

Before Captain Ryder’s grip tightened any further, I was rescued by the aforesaid “Golden Boy” and you can see me here gazing adoringly at my handsome saviour.

However, my bliss at being in Sebastian’s arms was short-lived. If you remember, “mean Mulcaster” (played by Tony Champion) took great delight in chucking me through the window at Sebastian. 

Oh, the humiliation!

Not content with such violent behaviour, he decided to completely humiliate me, and stuck a…a “Yoda” mask on me. And in front of Olive, too! Oh, the indignity, the degradation.

I felt I had no choice but to fly at him, paws outstretched, and try to throttle him. Who could blame me? Before Mulcaster’s face turned completely purple, I was wrenched away from him by my owner and taken home in disgrace.

"He had it coming..."

Hence, here I am in solitary confinement in the spare room, kept away from my beloved Olive (no chance of starting any baby bowls yet, then). My last glimpse of her, as I was unceremoniously stuffed into a spare plastic carrier (“Costcutters – I mean, Costcutters!” – the shame), was of her fluttering around looking rather ashamed of me, and casting her owl eyes at Captain Ryder. She always was one for a uniform.

Have I lost Olive to the army? Am I still playing Aloysius? Will I ever feel better? When’s Daniel Craig turning up? It’s not that far from Basildon...

Keep your paws on this page ready for George Bear's next blog

Brideshead Revisited, produced by St John’s Players runs from 24th-27th October at The Townley Memorial Hall, Fulbourn Institute, Fulbourn.