The Gondoliers

Gondoliers in Great Demand
Well, those gorgeous gondoliers Marco and
Giuseppe Palmieri have finally got hitched, as
have their friends Antonio, Giorgio and
Francesco after a slightly unseemly parade in
front of the locals here in the Square. It seemed
to be a bit of a lottery with a lot of red and
white roses involved but the lucky ladies were
Gianetta, Tessa, Vittoria, Fiametta and Giulia
respectively. Let’s hope that they are all happy
together for many years to come. They are
bound to end up as frumpy old ladies who sit in
the Square all day long and have nothing better
to do than gossip - but they should have a few
years of happiness before that!
Important Visitors from Spain
Oh, and we have had some important visitors
from Spain in the Square. At least, they seemed
to think they were important but there weren’t
any special arrangements to greet them. I think
they were called the Duke and Duchess of Pizza
Something-or-other. Anyway, it seems they
really are quite important, even though they
looked a bit shabby - perhaps that was after
their long journey - as they have been seen
chatting to the Grand Inquisitor, Don
Alhambra.
Shock Royal Wedding
Arrangement
And what do you know, here’s a turn up for the
books! It seems that an arrangement was made
many years ago by which Casilda, the daughter
of the Duke and Duchess, was married to either
Marco or Giuseppe and that one or the other of
them is actually the King of Barataria.
Unfortunately nobody seems to know which of
the two is of royal blood and, scandalously,
now a bigamist! Anyway, they’ve both been
sent off to Barataria to rule together until
somebody can find out who is who. What a
tragedy, though: most of their delectable friends
have gone with them, to work in the palace and
they have had to leave their wives and
girlfriends behind.
The Truth will Out
Anyway, we could be near to unravelling this
whole charade. The Grand Inquisitor’s team is
looking for the infant king’s nurse maid. They
are confident that they can persuade her to
reveal all. Who is the king? We want to know.
Scandal, or what?
Well, would you believe it? Don’t tell anyone
but there are rumours that the Queen of
Barataria might have “a close friend” and he is
not called Marco or Giuseppe. This could get
very interesting!
Isabella (Jenny Hall) is a major contributor to
“Stories from the Square” after
watching the world go by with her
friends Lila and Philomena.
Jenny has sung in the chorus in many
productions and concerts and is a
long standing committee member.
Lila (Pam Massey) sits in the Square every day,
sipping her coffee from Bertorelli’s, or
occasionally a glass of wine or two;
then she freely shares her opinions.
Pam is the queen of jumble sales and
has helped raise hundreds of pounds
to support the Society.
Philomena (Hazel Daniels) spends a lot of her time
following her personal mantra “List
and Learn”. Having listened and
learned she very much enjoys telling.
Hazel has been a regular chorus
member and the Society’s secretary
for more years than she remembers.
Where the finest people meet.
Enriquo (Andrew Hodges) serves the best
coffee at Bertorelli’s and provides the
best service to the very best people.
Andrew has performed for many
years with Stewartby, occasionally
taking principal roles but also happy
to be a loyal member of the chorus.