A MARVELLOUS 'MACBETH'

The Lygon Arms in Broadway, 1960s

S A T U R D A Y,  7  O C T

Had breakfast in the same crummy room as yesterday.

We left Weston Manor and got to Stratford with plenty of time to shop and found this fab boutique called Dee Doe. I looked for a ripply skirt and tried on one but it was too full. Then went upstairs where they had loads of dresses, I could have stayed there for ages; eventually I got the most super one. It’s black with a big white collar and cuffs, comes in at the waist and has a fullish skirt, and  I can wear it at school. Next door was an arty shop with a very nice man who lamented with Daddy over British architecture. We bought a few gorgeous things, including a rush hat for Dad. Then went to the theatre, and had lunch on the balcony restaurant - cold chicken and salad.

Our seats were in the stalls (30/-).

Macbeth was everything I hoped it would be. Paul Scofield was marvellous, except he jerked his speech, which was a bit off-putting. Vivien Merchant was Lady Macbeth. She was very good in the sleep-walking scene, but she had long frizzyish hair which I didn’t like. One person I particularly liked was the Porter (Clive Swift); he was fat, scruffy and practically bald, and he didn’t overact a bit. What I was pleasantly surprised by was the scenery – terribly simple and terribly effective. A tufty red carpet covered the whole stage and gave the impression of heather on the heath. (Red appropriate because of the blood theme throughout.) 

“When the witches came on with the cauldron, they made a stewy smell! ”

I’m glad I studied the play for 'O' Level; it makes all the difference. Honestly, I think Shakespeare must have been a genius. I mean, he must have known so much about life! I wish everybody could get a chance to appreciate him.

Then drove to Broadway and stayed at the Lygon Arms. It’s better than I remembered it, in fact it’s a marvellous hotel. There were two glasses of sherry waiting for us in our room (no. 24)! Spent ages looking at my new dress in the mirror and deciding how much to turn it up. Then I changed into my bloomy dress and bunches, and we went down to dinner. Super food and great fun: avocado pear; fresh salmon; peaches and cream.

Chump and me got into the most dreadful giggles in bed. I was actually crying.

The Lygon Arms today. Some of the rooms have barely changed. In the 1960s they  were carpeted and TV-free.