In Shakespeare Club meetings we explore the Elizabethan world. The girls get excited about Queen Elizabeth and the boys go crazy for poop being tossed out windows.
There you have it: I think it's safe to end all examination of gender differences.
One year a child brought me a Canadian penny. "Look, Ms. Ryane, Queen Elizabeth! There she is, see?"
We had a chat about number I versus number II....I'm talking about the Queen.
And I told them about my rub with royalty.


For weeks prior to her visit, we were schooled in protocol befitting a royal assemblage. "Ma'am" was appropriate to use in conversation, but only if asked a direct question. Curtsying was a must and joining a conversation while Her Highness was chatting with one's neighbor was a giant no-no.

At the theatre we waited and waited.
It is "commoner knowledge" that Queen Elizabeth II, unlike her predecessor, is not a particular fan of plays. She'd much prefer to spend time at a horse show or in a garden romp with her corgis.
By 9:30 p.m. we got word that she was in the VIP room, sucking back a gin and tonic. We yanked ourselves out of a stupor and our stage manager called upstairs.
"Is Betty Windsor on her way?" he cracked.
"Momentarily" was the curt answer he received, along with a hang-up.
Prince Philip, standing next to the ringing phone, had been the one to answer.

Our show didn't start until 10 p.m. and didn't end until after 1 a.m.
When the curtain finally fell and she came backstage to meet us, her eyes were red with exhaustion and we were stiff in rehearsed decorum. Hilarity was hardly in the air.
Until...she neared Stanley and he completely forgot all code of behavior.
"I knew your mother very well!" he screamed.
Quite like Shakespeare's Queen may have roared at the antics of Sir Toby Belch in "Twelfth Night," our Queen, too, managed a good giggle.
Queen photo by Robert C. Ragsdale; theater interior photo by David Cooper/Toronto Life
Even though you were playing the maid, I notice you managed to be No. 2 in line to shake Lillibet's hand. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteYeah, she started at the bottom.
ReplyDelete