Calm down, dear

I have never seen so many people so lost for words at the same time as at the last rehearsal. We were rehearsing a scene leading up to the song and dance I referred to last week between Sylvia (as Inspector O'Reilly) and Thelma (as Daphne). It's a very short, slightly romantic scene between the two characters and there has been an obvious attraction between the two characters building throughout the play. The scene culminates in the following exchange:

Daphne: My head's in the clouds and I'm floating light as a feather.
Inspector: Come back down to earth and tell me if you'll be my steady girl.
Daphne: Oh yes, Lionel, yes, yes.

The scene, to my mind, was working out quite nicely, until David asked Thelma to put a little more into it. The next thing you know, Thelma was almost re-enacting THAT scene from When Harry Met Sally and wrapping her legs around Sylvia's waist. Poor Sylvia didn't know where to put herself. Gordon suddenly started taking more of an interest in rehearsal at this point, however, and Glenn (sound effects) started filming it with his mobile phone.

Now we all know that, in the play, Sylvia is taking a man's part (not for the first time). But really, this was quite unnecessary and leads me to wonder quite where Thelma's true leanings lie. I mean, we know she's been having difficulties with husband Malcolm, but perhaps there is more to it than meets the eye? If not, it's possibly the best bit of acting I've seen her do.

And I've just heard from Mrs Newman in the box office that she's sold three tickets this morning. That's pretty good at this stage of the game, but we could do with shifting one or two more to beat the record set by our last production. So do give her a call on 01242 522852, won't you?