Today's topic is ...rats! Rats in Venice, an update

Rats are apropos for two reasons today. First and foremost is that this week starts rehearsals for "Dick Whittington", the traditional British pantomime we are putting on here at the local theatre (S. Margherita - 3 performances 10 & 11 January). Laurie wrote it and panto board-treaders from the last two years are at it again, local residents almost all. For those of you not English, Dick Whittington was a very early mayor of London who made a fortuitous marraige and then freed London from rats. The Pantomine is set in London city, at sea on board the good ship "Leaky Lil", in Venice and in the Doge's Palace.

There will be a rat chorus, comprised of six local 7 year-old students who dance, slither and menace ("Hiss!") in London and Venice. The leader of the rats is Major Rat, played by Peter Page, an English goldsmith in his day job, but a thespian at other times. He has a fondness for villainry, having played Fairy Stinkweed in last year's panto triumph, Mother Goose. Here he is below in the left photo as Fairy Stinkweed taking a bow and as Major Rat at a costume fitting in the right photo. (That's me on the far right of the left photo dressed as one of the Blues Brothers).

Please come to the show, Thursday, 10 January (10 AM and 7PM) and 11 January (7PM), Teatro S.Margherita to benefit Care and Share Italia, a venerable local charity. Admission free, donation suggested.

The other rat item is less inspiring. This morning I met Frank O'Halloran who plays Bosun Bilge to my Master Muggins. At 9AM we were taking our cappuccinos and  going over our lines in a bar we frequent but which I will not identify. We sat a table and, as I looked towards the counter, I espied a smallish brown rat emerging from behind the bar and making a foray into an area about 5 feet from us. He was rather a good looking rodent, as rodents go, lightish colour, intelligent face, and was neither in a hurry  nor skulking or tentative, as I would have expected him to be. He was very casual.

The bar's owner seemed unaware. I told Frank about it and immediately the rat reappeared as if on cue. Then Laurie came in and sat down. We promptly informed her of the situation and we discussed our options. Tell the owner immediately? Don't mention it? Would the owner want to know? Would he be surprised? What if a kid comes in? Health and safety considerations? Solution: on the way out, after paying, I lowered my voice and casually mentioned to the owner that we saw a pantegane in his bar. He said, "Oh yeah, that happens when someone leaves the back door (where the toilet is) open."  I wanted to ask if the rat usually left on his own accord or what, since the owner did not seem nonplussed and did not rush into action. But I did my duty and he can deal with it.  Anyway, now  it's "Gambi Su!"* whenever we go in there.    *legs up!

Comments

[Bailey Zimmerman]

Great story!!
I've been warned about all the rats on the Zattere at night...haven't ran into any creatures yet!
22nd Street in NY is pretty wild with 'moving' trash bags. I also remember the first squirrel I saw at night in Herald Square. It didn't have any fur on it's tail...opps!!

Thanks for your wonderful blog!!

Thinking of you & Laurie on the 1oth & 11th....wish I were there!!
Break a leg!!