As Oliver mingled among the crowd, he was pleased that the entertainment had not stopped at the close of the play. Not normally one to hang around after a performance, he had no idea that the inn continued to distract their patrons from the toils of their day. The innkeeper had found a way to encourage them to drink more of his ale, with continued entertainment. The aroma of meat lingered in the air, as patrons tucked into the innkeeper’s meals. But where was Nelly he wondered.
The stage might have emptied of its actors, but they had soon been replaced with musicians. Not the usual orchestral groups that Oliver was used to at a soiree or a ball, but more of a gathering of commoners who shared their love of music. A fiddle player strummed out a little dancing ditty, while another man joined him, playing his flute. They were skilful players and just as good, or so he thought, as any professional orchestra he had the pleasure of listening to. Still, he looked around the crowds for Nelly.
Before long, a drummer joined in. All that was missing was a harp or even a pianoforte. Whether they were a regular band, or individuals coming together, he did not know. Only that they were soon strumming together in perfect harmony.
Making his way in all corners of the courtyard, he searched to see if the actors had joined the crowd. Passing the corner, a woman dressed in a scraggy, long dress that revealed her bare shoulders, jumped upon the table to dance. She lifted up the skirt of her dress to show her ankles and cheers sounded out as the patrons gave out a rhythmic clap to the beat of the drum.
All the while Oliver’s mind was thinking about the charming leading lady of the play. Where was she? The actors would return to join in the celebrations, he was sure of it. He must seek her out and tell her how much he’d admired her performance. Oliver could not help but compare her to his own theatre’s leading lady, but there was no comparison to be made. She was far superior to Margaret, in looks, acting skills, and dare he suggest, energy and vivacity.
The actress in the traveling theatre was exactly what his own theatre house needed. Exciting new talent such as she was, would breathe new life into his shows. The vivaciousness of such an actress as this one could only lend a new spirit to his plays, taking the entertainment value to new heights. Here was a young actress who had her entire crowd entranced with her performance, and completely under her spell. He had to have her in his shows, at whatever cost it might endure. If only he could find her.
The lively music lifted his spirits even further if that was possible. Oliver had not felt this good in such a long time. He continued to observe the crowds in search for Nelly. Many had stayed behind and serving trays were ladened with ales and stews, served by the buxom barmaids of the inn. If the inn could garner such profits from hosting this traveling troupe, then so too could his theatre house. But the world of acting wasn’t only about business, it was a deep passion that only few understood well. And when he found Nelly, he would discuss that passion while he fawned over her, for this was more than an interest in her skills; he adored her.
Filled with a renewed enthusiasm, he started to join in the festivities, unable to resist the cheer surrounding him. There was even a bard now going around the crowd, filling his hat with coin as he called out his verse. The crowd embraced all the arts, especially so after copious amounts of ale.
Workers from around the area, farmers and pickers still wearing muddy tunics. Unwashed factory workers, and even women of the night in their low-cut ragged dresses. All had ventured to join in the fun. It was so very different from his establishment, and he loved every minute. He would love it even more if only he could find Nelly among this rowdy lot.
If only he could get such a reaction from his own patrons. Immediately after one of his plays came to an end, the crowd would gather in the large hallway as they left. Their only concern was to show off their gowns, or even their mistresses, as they made their way to their shiny carriages. They did nothing but gossip about one another; whereas here, he could hear the chatter was still about the play. People debated over the ending; whether it should be changed or remain a tragedy. Never would the nobility show such passion over a mere show.
It was one of the reasons why Oliver loved to attend the street plays. He was giddy with excitement, likened to when he was a child at Christmas. The people who gathered to watch such shows embraced the art of acting. Commoners were not bound by the rules of high society, and he had a sudden feeling of pity for his wealthier clientele. Theirs was a life ruled by directions and expectations, with no room for pure let-your-hair-down joy. Now, where was she? The beautiful woman who lit up the entire stage when she appeared. Where was Nelly?
As the night wore on and the ale flowed, many were getting up from their seats to dance. Completely unabashed, they created their own dancing steps. Even laughing at themselves for their foolish behaviour. They did not care what their neighbour thought, for they were laughing too.
Oliver went inside the inn's common room in search for Nelly. Both inside and out in the courtyard, people of the lower class were having fun. They spilled out through the front door and onto the streets of London, loud laughter ringing out into the night sky. Older children ran around in little gangs, some sneaking the dregs of ale from the bottom of glasses. While others joined in the dancing with their inebriated parents. Age was no barrier in an evening’s entertainment of this calibre.
And it was all sparked from the enjoyment of the play. Had the play been a dreary one, the mood might have been different. But Nelly had given them a renewed hope in their life, with her raw, salacious performance. Her appetite for acting had entranced the audience and left them all feeling good about themselves. These people, despite their rough edges, embraced the art form to its fullest and were better for it.Is that not what true entertainment should be about? But where oh where is she?
Again, he looked upon the stage, longing for the leading lady to show her face again. But if he wished to see her then he would need to attend tomorrow’s performance. Traveling actors were always a tight-knit group, guarding each other against prying eyes. Getting to speak with her would not be easy. Not even coin would buy his way through the protective outer layer of such a team.
Instead, he decided to join in the dancing. The ale in his belly was beginning to affect his judgment. It was time to join in with those around him and have fun.
Just then, he spotted one of the cast members dancing in the crowd. By her side was the leading lady, out in the open and being one with the crowd. He could make out her features by the silvery moonlight, along with the yellow glow of the oil lamps. Her face was flushed with energy. As he got closer to her, she looked more beautiful than he had first thought, if that was even possible.
The lines of an old sonnet came to his mind, for poetry was his second love. He had not realised that he was standing still and quoting one of his favourite love poems of Edmund Spencer:
“But looking still on her, I stand amazed
At wondrous sight of so celestial hue.”
Blinking, he became alert and walked over to the group, offering to pay for a round of drinks. Cheers erupted at the proposal, and he waved over for one of the servers to deliver five large jugs of ale to the party. Experience told him there was no better way to ingratiate yourself with an actor, especially following a performance. By seeing to their needs with alcohol, it helped to dampen their highly strung nerves. Performing on a stage took a lot out of them, and after a show, they loved to unwind.
Wasting no more time, now that he had infiltrated the circle, he soon found himself standing by the side of their leading lady. She was already swaying to the rhythm of the music, and he joined in. He was thankful that he knew the steps to the dance she was enjoying.
“You dance well, my friend,” she sang out to him, giving him a most gracious smile. Her voice was soft, yet it rang out to him as if she were still on stage.
“I find dancing almost as entertaining as watching a play. It soothes the soul,” he replied but found he had to speak quite loudly to be heard over the rowdy noise around them.
Dancing beside her was indeed an unusual pleasure; never would a lady of the nobility allow a man to dance by her side in such a way. Being among the common folk brought with it a certain level of freedom. And so, he would cast off the shackles of high society and make the most of it. Even if his reasons were selfish; to get close to the talented beauty.
Whilst she did not speak again, she had accepted him silently as her partner in the dance. Oliver was not one to miss out on such an opportunity and felt no shyness, being of a confident nature he made haste to open up a conversation.
“Your performance tonight was superb,” he told her while she passed under his arm as the dance steps required.
“Why thank you kindly, sir," she replied, smiling as she carried out the dance moves. "Believe it or not, it was my debut performance, so to speak.”
For a short while, they parted, following other dancers in the group as the moves dictated, but they soon came back together again.
“May I be so bold as to ask a lady her name?” he asked as soon as he took her fingertips in his hand to finish the move. By now he was panting slightly, for this was a vigorous set of dance steps, making conversation quite difficult.