Most of the cast were there in groups of three and four. The stage had been scrubbed down and looked the same as usual. He wondered what would be its future. The skeleton hung from the gallows and swung in the draught. Bob Masters and Charlie greeted him and so did a number of the actors. They gathered round him.

He said at once: ‘No absolute news but it will, I imagine, be out before long. The pundits are gathering in front-of-house. I think, my dears, it’s going to be the end of Macbeth. I hope the new play will be announced tonight. I’d like to say now that it will almost certainly be a much, much smaller cast, which means that for a number of you the prospect of a long season comes to an abrupt end. I’d like to thank you from a very full heart for your work and say that, no matter what may befall in the years to come, you will be known – every bit part of you – for having played in, to quote several of the reviews, the “flawless Macbeth”.’

‘Under flawless direction, Perry,’ said Maggie and the others after a murmured agreement clapped him: a desultory sound in the empty Dolphin. It died away. A throat was cleared. Gaston stepped forward.

Somebody said: ‘Oh no.’

‘I may not,’ Gaston proclaimed with an air of infinite conceit, ‘be considered the appropriate figure to voice our corporate approval of the style in which the play has been presented. However, as no one else has come forward, I shall attempt to do so.’ He spread his feet and grasped his lapels. ‘I have been glad to offer my assistance in matters of production and to have been able to provide the replicas for the weapons used by Macbeth and Macduff. I made them,’ he said, with a modest cough. ‘I do, however, now frankly deplore the use of the actual, historical claidheamh-mor. At the time I felt that since no hands but mine own would touch it, there would be no desecration. I was utterly mistaken and take this opportunity of admitting as much. The claidheamh-mor is possessed of a power – ‘

‘For God’s sake, somebody stop him,’ muttered Simon.

‘– it moves in its own appointed way – ‘

The doors at the back of the stalls opened and Alleyn came into the house and walked down the centre aisle.

Gaston paused, his mouth open. Peregrine said: ‘Excuse me, Gaston. I think Mr Alleyn wants to speak to me.’ The actors, intensely relieved, set up a buzz of affirmation.