Does any reader out there have £ 1.6 million that they have no immediate need for? The Pegasus Theatre would like your money, and I think it would be a nice gesture on your part if you gave it to them.
Idiot that I am I hadn’t bothered finding out much about the Pegasus before this trip to Oxford. The name Pullman was enough. Now I rather wish we lived in Oxford, or that we too could have a Pegasus near us. Because it sounds great.
On Saturday night at St John’s we were shown a brief (almost too brief) film called Hands On Pegasus. They do so much, for so many children. Films like these are often a bit boring. Not this one. I may have to see how my piggy bank is doing, and send them some money.
Son and I spoke to a nice Pegasus trustee over drinks. They have some caring, interested people involved. Spoke to more than one parent with children at the Pegasus. I’d like to join myself, although I’m slightly on the old side.
For a Pullman fanatic it came as a surprise to find that there were probably rather more Pegasus supporters at St John’s than Philip Pullman fans. Son had no problem grabbing a seat right in the middle at the front. I counted about 150 people altogether, and the auditorium was almost full.
The publishers supplied Philip Pullman’s books to sell, with 50% going to Pegasus. They even had Milton’s Paradise Lost to buy. Foreword by Pullman. They were very keen to make money. They sold raffle tickets, and at the end they even auctioned off the flower arrangements from the stage. I kept worrying I’d win the orchid…
Just about everyone we spoke to were so very nice. The regret now is that we won’t be able to go and see lots of plays at the Pegasus, either now in their run-down and possibly dangerous old building, or later in the lovely new theatre they are fundraising for. They put on Philip’s I Was A Rat a couple of years ago, and I understand it was really good. Philip thought so. And Son says they handed out chocolate rats to everyone, which is exactly what one wants.
2 responses so far ↓
pbmum // November 20, 2007 at 11:15
Children’s theatre is often so good but it is, understandably, expensive. We occasionally go to the Unicorn (a short tube ride away), and have seen some magical performances there, but for 2 adults and 3 children it can leave the bank balance a bit empty. And there is always the chance that on the appointed evening someone has come down with something (I have memories of a slew of tickets to the circus that went unused because the birthday girl got chickenpox). In contrast a cinema trip can be a spur of the moment trip. What I’d really like to see is schools having more trips to the theatre (our school goes to the panto at Stratford East each Christmas, but does no other theatre trips).
bookwitch // November 20, 2007 at 11:28
True. I’ve been lucky enough to find someone to give tickets away to, so they don’t end up a complete waste, even though it doesn’t repay me, except for feeling better about it.
Leave a Comment