Musical Theatre in Jail. Most people would scoff at the thought of Jail as an artistic town, but theatre - especially musical theatre - has a large following among the townsfolk. It takes a brave woman to go looking for culture here, but Samara Jalàya has done just that ... " Something very strange happened to me last day. I have to tell it! Recently I got a book from the library: "Cultural History Of Umbagollah" by T.S. Swallowswip. A very interesting work about all famous artistic persons (writers, actors, painters, poets) who ever lived in Umbagollah. It was a very thick book, but as I said very interesting. In the book I read that Jail ever was a famous cultural city and now still has a few theatres. So I, I love theatre, decided to visit Jail. I came there when it was raining, not a too perfect day for a cultural tour. I sheltered from the rain in a little fussy bar and ordered something to drink. Suddenly a man with dark, thin, sticky hair and an eye-glass ("Never trust men with monocles," my mother once said) sat down next to me. He looked at me for a minute and then asked: "Interested in theatre?" I stared back and said, to surprise him: "You?" He was not surprised at all: "I own a theatre". Looking back at that moment, I should have left then, but my curiousity was stronger. "Oh" I said. "Tonight there is the première of a new musical, written by me. If you like, you can come with me." He won... I agreed. He took me with him to a big theatre, falling into disrepair. It was quite busy, but the men (he told me his name was Orico Trashp) had reserved places at the first range. "How is this musical called?" I asked. "'I came, I saw, I was ablazed'" Orico answered. "It's based on the Troyan war and Odysseus' travellings, but look for yourself. It's spectacular". Well, the first scene was not too bad. A man, I think this was prince Paris, fall from the ceiling on the stage. "Is this the dernière of this musical, too?" I asked, looking at the man who had fallen. He looked seriously wounded. "No, " Orico answered. "We have 21 people for Paris' part. Every night an other." "Oh," I said. The second scene was a little bit chaotic. From the left a whole army (Greeks?) came on and sang a song: "Let's kill, let's kill, we know they will, kill... us". At the same time from the right another army came (Troyans?) on and they sang: "Chop, chop, chop their bodies of..." Then a fight started. I saw a torch, swords and cannons. The next scene was very chaotic. The armies fought and one Greek tried to burn of Troy. But instead of setting the decor on fire, the curtains catched fire. And soon the whole stage was on fire. The actors left the stage immediately and the audience the theatre. I stood outside, looking at the theatre which was completely on fire now. "Nevermind," Mr. Monocle said. He stood behind me. "I have more theatres. If you like I can take you to 'Honey, I setted the kids on fire', I wrote it". I smiled at him, gentle: "No, thanks, I think I've had enough theatre for now." "But what about drinking something somewhere? Do you want to see my castle? I live in the neighbourhood. Perhaps you like to play in my new production: 'MacDeath'? You look like an actress!" But I didn't answer him and left Jail. I had a very wise mother. Never trust men with monocles, and when they are from Jail, don't trust them at all. But I've had a funny evening, although Jail isn't anymore that cultural city of long ago, is it? Love ya, Samara " If you like theatre, you might also want to check out Ex's Theatre Guide.