As October 31st looms, you may wonder why I’ve not ranted about the shocking amount of money spent on plastic and cardboard Halloween tat.
Or that ‘Trick Or Treat’ is nothing less than obtaining confectionery through extortion!
I finally realised complaining about Halloween is a waste of time. so I’ve (pardon the pun)‘given up the ghost’.
But there are still many things in today’s seemingly over-sensitive Britain that baffle me.
Like the story from a few months ago which recently came to my attention, about complaints from some quarters that an actor cast in the title role of a stage production of “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame” lacked Quasimodo’s unique physical structure and the part should have gone to someone who did.
It wasn’t enough for complainants that the actor was ‘shadowed’ at every performance by a deaf actor using BSL, allowing deaf audience members to enjoy the show.
Or that both actors were said to be superb in their parts.
Complainants must have realised there was little chance of finding two actors with Quasimodo’s unfortunate problems (the star actor and his understudy on standby to take over at every performance) who’d both have the skills and stamina required for a top West End production.
When Lon Chaney played Quasimodo in the 1923 silent film version of the story, I doubt anyone complained that Lon wore bulky padding and (his own) make-up.
Charles Laughton played the part brilliantly in the 1939 version and no-one complained.
Many other actors have played the part in films and TV without being criticised.
So why, in 2025, with all the horrific things happening in the real world to worry us, would anyone be so negative regarding a stage production about (let me remind you) a fictional character created by Victor Hugo?
If “The Miracle Worker” is ever revived on stage, will the same people insist only a visually and hearing-impaired actress plays Helen Keller?
Woe betide any actor auditioning for the part of Long John Silver in “Treasure Island”.
You might not get the job unless you agree to have drastic leg surgery . . .