Take Your Seats Please

So, like Tea Rat and Rattus with their opera glasses, you might want to click on all images to see the details of a night at the theatre.... "I say old man, where are your trousers? And that purple velvet cape, what were you thinking?" nervously chirped Rattus, as he contemplated the fact that this was Nowhere's first cultural event of the year and first impressions are of the utmost importance. "Old thing, tonight is a night to bring out one's best. LOOK! THERE'S THE PLAYBILL; let's dash over to be the first to see it. OH BOTHER! Where are my opera glasses...the print is quite small," said Tea Rat as he discretely inched his way closer to the playbill. With a tone of admiration and a quiver in his voice he read each word as if savoring every last morsel of a fine cheese: As they entered the gilded foyer, it was evident that Tea and Rattus were not the first patrons there; the interior of The Royal Theatre of Nowhere was buzzing with distinguished guests such as Miss Paisely, Mimi from Paris, Sherry from Phoenix, the lovely Tita, Racoon's trainer, and Martina, as well as Auntie Jackie from Fairyland and Penny. Quietly taking their seats at the balcony, the lights gently dimmed to announce the rise of the curtain...the music swelled as Tea suddenly hurled himself to the rim of the balcony, snatching Rattus's pince-nez, and forgetting all dignity. "MIND YOURSELF OLD MAN" hissed Rattus as discretely as possible. But it was too late for there was the Tea Rat, hanging over the balcony wailing, "THERE SHE IS...ISN'T SHE A PEACH? I HAVE WORSHIPED HER FOR YEARS..." As Miss Moussie gave the signal with her hand, the curtain rose even higher to reveal an enormous gilded moon slowly lowering itself that said: CIRQUE DE LA LUNE The musical number quickly changed to LE CAN-CAN as everyone held their breath; then suddenly, a loud roar erupted as none other than the lovely cabaret star JOLI came kickin'in! The house came DOWN! The front row of young mice could not contain themselves, but WAIT! If you think they got an eyeful with her entrance, think again! These boys are gonna have something to write home about after seeing Joli's spectacular ending! The dynamic juggling and clown duo of BEBE and Gretta kept the jovial rhythm spinning, when suddenly who else comes rollin'in? THE ILLUSTRIOUS MOZES,THE DANCING BEAR! The agility and grace doesn't stop here folks....JASPER THE KING OF THE DANCING POODLES has demonstrated extraordinary talents! And Gretta is back with RACCOON THE MAGNIFICENT AND HIS FLYING TRAPEZE to, OOPS.....HOLD ON TO RAC'S PAWS, GRETTA! Isn't she a pro? And now, for the grand fina-l.........uh, we seem to have a....WAIT! There appears to be a patron from the balcony who is now running down the main aisle, and...is now on stage and is bellowing, "WELCOME DISTINGUISHED GUESTS....I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF...MY COLLEAGUE AND I ARE TONIGHT'S CRITICS... "Yes Sir, thank you very much but,..." said Bebe, dressed for her final number, as she gently nudged Tea Rat towards stage right... "I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW WONDERFU........." The orchestra took this as its cue to strike up the band for the final number and present all the magnificent players of Miss Moussie's Travelin' Show and bring a close to a most memorable evening in Nowhere. THE END Tea and Rattus decided to walk home under the silver sliver of the Nowhere moon. "That was a smashing show tonight, wouldn't you say old thing? We have much to write about for our critique tonight, don't we sir?" said Tea. "We certainly do, old man, we certainly do" whispered Rattus with a smile on his face. All text and pencil drawings by Castles Crowns and Cottages © Drawing of Miss Moussie by The Dutchess