Now is the, er, Winter, of, er...

You may have heard this story before, perhaps in a different guise, especially as it is now beginning to be thought of as an urban myth. But now it is time to set the record straight. 

This story was told to me by an actor who you all know: a versatile actor known more for his TV work, but who is also an incredibly accomplished stage actor. In 2008 I had a small part in a play in one of the most successful regional producing theatres in the UK. The play itself was performed in the smaller of the theatre's two performance spaces, and because of the size of the space and the backstage area there were only two dressing rooms: one for the women, and one for the men. Due to being in such an intimate dressing room, I got to know the other eight male members of the cast very well including the lead actor, whose 'space' in the dressing room was next to mine. 

One night, this actor, who has had, and continues to have a very successful career, told me that about 10 years previously he was playing Richard III for the RSC at Stratford (that's 'upon Avon', not 'E15'), and was very nervous about the impending opening night and getting the opening line of the play spot on. As you know, the line is:

Now is the Winter of our discontent made glorious Summer by this son of York. 

He tried saying the line with the emphasis on different words, using different pace and pitch, and kept repeating it out loud time and time again in a variety of different ways whilst walking the stage:

NOW is the Winter of our discontent...

Now is THE Winter of our discontent...

Now is the Winter of OUR discontent...

The hour of the opening was drawing near, the critics from London were en route, but he still had couple of hours before his Call. He decided to get out of the theatre and clear his head. He walked the streets of Stratford, and gradually began to forget about the line. He felt encouraged and confident, and said to himself 'I can do this'. He decided to head back to the theatre, taking a different route. He passed a well-known camping supplies shop and paused at the sign outside that read:

Now is the discount of our Winter tents...

The show went on to be a great success, the actor received outstanding praise in his portrayal of the part and the line was delivered appropriately.

Richard III's Tent (in London)