A Shakespearean Inn

Whats the connection between Rox and Shakespeare? asked one of over 50 people crowding the warm and welcoming bar of Steyne Steets Lamb Inn on the Tuesday before Christmas. The flip answer was all the worlds a stage.. but more seriously Rox organiser Steve Goodheart said: Whilst known for the big annual Rox music festival, for some time weve been holding music and comedy events at smaller venues around town. This is the second Shakespeare evening at The Lamb and, like the first, its proved amazingly popular. Were doing some Dickens because its Christmas and both locals and visitors have been delighted. People, crowded shoulder to shoulder in the saloon bar, watched others on a tiny area of stage enthusiastically reading parts. First some took roles in Macbeth and, after a break, in a shortened dramatised Christmas Carol. Wild overacting, mis-pronunciation , grimacing and strange accents were the order of the day. All was greeted with wild applause at the end. Stuart and Denise, mine hosts at The Lamb, embraced the idea whole-heartedly with bar staff dressed in medieval costume for the occasion. Stuart and Denise said they did not realise Shakespeare could be such fun. Stuart told of two passing visitors from Shepherds Bush who dropped in for a swift half on the off-chance and stayed on for two pints and many more laughs. They left sometime later with a great tale for their mates back in the Bush. Organiser of the evening, Rox committee member Richard Baldwin, said I didnt like English at school, even though my parents were keen readers, but now I love poetry and drama. Rox has been a fantastic influence, it has encouraged me to think outside the box and realise ideas like this.

People talk about how to make Bognor better, Rox showed they get on and DO things. Shakespeare would approve, his plays began in ale houses. More such evenings are planned but all present on 21 st December will remember especially the silence in a crowded bar as ordinary people spoke extraordinary words - the next Chill Shake is on TUESDAY 25TH JANUARY 2011.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 5:07 PM