African Dream

BY JOHN GRIFFITHS/PETER QUINCE
Tony and I worked together just the once, but what an experience it was! He directed an innovative and sparkling production of A Midsummer Night's Dream with actors from the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff which toured half a dozen African countries for the British Council in 1987. Among our dates was a stint in the Ugandan capital; in fact we were the first foreign Theatre group to visit since the horrors of Idi Amin . My 40th birthday fell during that week, and , typically, we had two performances that day. Imagine my annoyance when after the matinee Tony chose that day of all days to give me some notes..."Doesn't he know it's my birthday? What a ......!"

It was all a cunning ploy to distract me while the rest of the company prepared a birthday banquet of pork pies, baked beans and Moet, all served at Kampala temperatures!

For that, and many other memorable events on the tour, "Thanks, Tony... Director, Guide and Friend ."