There is an owl that lives in the trees over or behind the Queen’s Stage. I’m not sure what kind of owl it is since I’ve only seen it briefly in flight. It is brown and white.
I first noticed it during the rehearsal period in May. It would appear from over the Indian Stage trees and glide perfectly across the very lip of the green and into the Queen’s Stage trees right next to the lighting instruments that are there. It always happened just as the sky was reaching full dark.
I guess the cycle of the sun is back to where it was in May because for the past couple of performances the owl is back. During Amadas and Barlowe, as the English explorers greet and exchange gifts with the natives, as the sky is just shy of full dark, this beautiful owl, wings fully spread, glides through the scene about ten - fifteen feet over the jetty. It swoops directly into the light over the Queen’s Stage.
It is a perfect moment. The audience must think it is part of the show. But it’s nature’s special effect.
What must this creature think about the lights it dives into? Does the loud music and gunfire alarm it? I wonder if it has young in the nest. Do they miss us on Sundays?
I remember Bob telling an A/T? Choir? Indian? to make owl noises from the bushes. Not knowing exactly how owls sound, we all heard "Hooty-hoot! Hooty-hoot!" from this person. (Thank goodness, it was still during Rehearsal.) Anyone from the late 70s remember who our bird-caller was?
ReplyDeleteWhat about the whipporwill -- is it still around?
- Mary Hook
Owls will swoop down and rip the head off of your beloved pet duck Hector P. Valenti, Star of Stage and Screen, leaving his whole body perfect and intact, but killing him instantly. They will also snatch your cat up by the head and try to fly off with him, ripping half his scalp off and thus leaving you with a million and 3 hundred trillion dollar bill with Dr. Grossman. Owls don't really do it for me anymore. But if they don't conjure up the aforementioned memories for you, I can see why it might be a lovely moment.
ReplyDeleteI love owls! I hope it makes an entrance when I come see the show!!
ReplyDelete