Stratford-on-Avon

One thing I dislike about living in the UK is the necessity to make plans long in advance. And so it was a cold, windy, grey day that we headed up to Stratford-on-Avon.

Stratford is a quaint heritage town with many stunning examples of period buildings in the Old Town and High Street. It is also the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company's modern theatre complex and The Swan Theatre.

Our tickets were for The City Madam at The Swan which is described as "a wonderfully atmospheric galleried playhouse. The original Victorian building fell victim to a fire in 1928. The new building was built in 1932 and the inside has been designed to reflect an actual Elizabethan style theatre."

I found the theatre very comfortable and the seating afforded unobstructed viewing. As the theatre filled I remarked to Dick, "Only seniors here." The play by Philip Massinger was billed as a comedy but there was no laughter from the audience. Indeed it was such purgatory that we exited at intermission. Our penance perhaps for the sacrilege of booking other than Shakespear in his birthplace.

Play apart, it was a pleasant outing. Ticked box: 'Stratford-on-Avon.' Had a delicious dinner at the hotel across the street from the theatre and enjoyed my first plaice.