Life, like the show, must go on

There’s always the question that’s prefixed with ‘Where were you when..?’, when historic events happen.

So no surprise that ‘Where were you when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died?’, has become a popular opening gambit.

I was having an enjoyable pre-show dinner with my wife at The Mill at Sonning, when the news was announced, and as cutlery was lain to one side, and phones looked at, the atmosphere understandably changed.

Equally it was a somewhat sombre mood as we took our seats in the auditorium, wondering if the knockabout comedy farce we were about to watch would be appropriate.

In time, the theatre management, staff, cast and crew, took to the stage, and a communication was read out saying that in accordance with the wishes of the royal household, all performances will be going ahead that evening.

Then the lights were dimmed, two minutes silence taken, the National Anthem played, and the play began.

There was some trepidation in the initial reaction to the on stage antics, but the cast worked hard in difficult circumstances and soon through the sorrow came the sound of laughter, and for a few hours, like life, the show went on.

Obviously the focus has been on grieving, but laughter can be just as important in the process.

It’s a natural release from the emotional stress of such a sad event.

Laughing matters, and in this case, I would like to think went a small way in preparing for the sadness to come.