As dusk begins to fall this Xmas Eve, Wilson and his family are making their last-minute preparations for Father Xmas' Visit — stockings are being hung and the cookies and carrots are in place.
There was a glass of Ant Sherry too, but W taste-tested it and found it wanting. He says that he'll pour another glass later, with more ants, which will allegedly improve the flavour no end.
What with all the excitement I don't know how much sleep any of us is going to get tonight, but we shall be taking a break for a few days over Xmas so everyone can play with their new toys.
We'll be back in the New Year, and in the meantime we wish you ALL a V. Happy Xmas and a Merry New Year!
With plenty of Ants!
Behind the scenes there has been much discussion (ie heated argument) about who should play the Baby John Lewis asleep in the manger.
It was eventually agreed by (almost) everyone that Tiny Toy was the obvious choice, and by way of consolation Uncle Zoltan could play the Xmas Lobster. (Don't ask — I have no idea!)
As well as Uncle Z, the sTone Brothers had also put themselves forward for the role of Holy Baby JL, insisting that they were already in costume (swaddling clothes) and the Holy Baby JL could have been twins. They willingly stepped down when Polly offered to unwrap them, accepting non-speaking roles as shepherds.
Due to a shortage of Actors, some of the Easter Island Heads had to be drafted in to play the Three Wise Personal Shoppers. This was nice for them as they don't get to do much, stuck out in the garden in all weathers. They brought gifts of Gold Tray, Brussels Sprouts and an iPhone 4s for the Baby John Lewis. The last Wise Personal Shopper whispered to Mary, 'If he doesn't like it, the receipt's in the bag!' which I thought was a nice touch.
When the performance was over, everyone gathered at the front to sing Wilson's new 'Xmas Is Coming' song, before taking a bow.
This was received with a standing ovation and THREE encores! Wilson insisted on three.
CAST LIST
Producer, Director, Author, Prompt.....Wilson Vermilingua
Xmas Lobster...Uncle Zoltan
Baby John Lewis.............................Tiny Toy
Mary.............................................Polly
Joseph..........................................Billi
Three Wise Personal Shoppers..........Easter Island Heads
Sheep, Angel & Producers Assistant...Antony
Shepherds.....................................sTony and sToneye
Camels.........................................Johnson Major and Johnson Minor
Farm Animals.................................Diesel the Goldfish
(The Brussels Sprouts and Gold Tray appeared by kind permission of New Dad)
It's just getting dark here, and Wilson has assembled his choir in the porch ready to go carol singing round the village.
Since it proved so unpopular in the past, he has dropped his Rate Card Of Suggested Donations this year... although I have seen him showing Antony, the Johnson Brothers and especially Tiny Toy, a lot of YouTube videos of cute puppies looking adorable while begging. I think I can see his strategy here.
Since the weather is not great, the sTone Brothers might for once be pleased to be still wrapped in their Mummy Halloween costumes... though it's difficult to tell.
Since W explained the 'Real Meaning of Xmas' to me a couple of days ago, I am agog to see his interpretation of The Nativity planned for tomorrow...
Suddenly, at 2am, Wilson worked out how the Levitating Man at Covent Garden had worked! Naturally, he woke me up to explain it to me. In great detail...
This morning, much to W's gratification, the postman brought an Xmas Card from Dennis the Giant Anteater on the Isle of Wight!
After breakfast, Wilson unveiled his 'Xmas Photograph of Everyone' Xmas Card. I was pleased to see him wearing Antlers and his chocolate medal for Extra Xmassyness!
He made a special point of sending a card to Colin the Knitted Camel, who is now living with his friend Ms Jenny, Dennis the Giant Anteater and one or two friends who are not on Facebook.
To the non-religious amongst you, he also wishes you a VERY MERRY WINTER SOLSTICE!
When we arrived home last night we found that the postman had delivered a load of Xmas cards. All addressed to Wilson.
There were a couple of dozen cards (all identical, as usual) from his family, and one from everyone in the 'Wilson Vermilingua Appreciation Society' Facebook Group*! W kindly said that I could share that one with him.
First thing this morning, Wilson popped into the village to collect his prints from the chemists. He says he's 'Well pleased' with them, but can't show them to me until Xmas, or it would 'Spoil the surprise'.
However, he did agree to 'Strike the set' so at least I can watch tv again in comfort.
*You can join the Wilson Vermilingua Appreciation Society here, if you like: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wilsonvermilinguaappreciation/
