Castleward Opera 2009

The weather could have been a lot worse. In the event there were sunny intervals and a few light showers. I arrived at the National Trust's wonderful Castle Ward Estate, in County Down, just after five o'clock - quite early - in order to have a short walk and find a suitable location to have my picnic. I invariably head for the walled garden anyway.

I had motored into Strangford earlier: there are signs of life at the presently-defunct Lobster Pot, viz. a workman entering the premises and his van outside.

I'd taken the bother to prepare my own picnic on this occasion: smoked salmon sandwiches; egg salad sandwiches; raspberries and cream; and a modest glass of sparkling wine, since I had to drive home. The food was very good, incidentally!

I'd changed into my evening wear at home: my legendary 76 year-old dinner jacket; matching trousers, doubtless a similar age, with double piping (full evening dress trousers); an old bow-tie; and a new, white Marcella piqué dress shirt.

Castleward Opera certainly knows how to look after its patrons. They always remember me by name - "Good evening, Lord Belmont. Permit me to show you to your lordship's seat" (that was a joke, as if you didn't know). I was shown to my seat - J8 this year - and five minutes later this year's production, Die Fledermaus, began. Incidentally, this is Castleward Opera's 25th anniversary. Needless to say, it was all very well done. The scenery and props were contemporary rather than traditional 19th century; however this actually worked well. It was sung in English, too. Most enjoyable.

When I was chatting to the lady beside me she said that she'd missed the period costumes customary in this production; though she still enjoyed the show.

At the extended interval I drove down to the old farm-yard, donned the wellies and went for a stroll in the direction of the Temple Water. I spotted a notice-board to the "Standing Stone" and ventured the short distance to a big boulder. I cannot say much more than that! What is its significance? The Temple (pictured above), a summer-house of 1750, predates the present Castle Ward House. It commands spectacular views. The House can just be seen in one direction; Strangford Lough can be seen from the other side. It's a shame that the Temple lies empty; I wonder if more use could be made of it?

I walked down the hill from the Temple and round the Temple Water, a singularly important piece of 18th century garden history. Very few of these ornamental canals have survived, this one constructed by hand in 1728 as a feature to complement the Queen Anne house nearby.

Back in the Theatre, the second half of Die Fledermaus culminated with a young member of the Cast doing a spot of Irish dancing on the stage. Talk about twinkle-toes: he seemed to be dancing on hot coals! There was sustained applause. It was a great evening and I arrived home shortly before midnight.