Melinda and Clark are having a celebration/ceremony/something-I'm not sure what and I thought it would be nice for us to make flower garlands. We could do it in court all day and it could be both gig and prepping for what ever they're doing. And maybe a maypole thing? with court folks dancing around it.

Dramatic table leveling sessions? (runs for cover)

Dancing. The audience 'gets it' immediately.

The scene we had last year(?) where her Grace was in emotional crisis was quite powerful, when Robert Dudley is found to be engaged to Lettice Knollys. I think it brought home to the audience that Elizabeth was at once a monarch and a human. It also gave plenty of opportunity for us to come to her aid in myriad ways to restore our monarch. I think the human drama was more accessible than the historical facts conveyed.

A simpler meal. Noel (bless her heart) went to a huge amount of effort and I'm afraid it made a disproportionately small theatrical difference.

The "door" curtain to kitchen/backstage was a complete wreck. Took my hat off every damn time with my hands full, made me drop food and spill drinks. It also opened directly onto the passage way so you bumped into people you could not see. Rope holding curtain was at 5' 6" so I had to duck deeply while exiting in full view of the audience--not courtly looking in the least. I likely can't be there for Friday setup. Hope it can be more practical.