The calendar may say it’s spring, but the ground around the inn here in Vermont is still covered with knee-high snow and sitting close to a warm fire is still very appealing. But yesterday as I walked along a street in the village I could hear the plink, plink, plink of maple sap beginning to fill a traditional metal sap bucket hanging there which proved the temperature had inched at least above freezing. Though summer is still a distant dream, I am adding a few events to the inn’s summer calendar.
The Lamoille County Players will be presenting a delightful lineup of theater across the street at the Hyde Park Opera House and theater tea will be offered here before most Thursday evening performances. Going late to a leisurely afternoon tea before going to the theater has been my habit in London for years. Happily several years ago, one of the nicest hotels there started offering slightly more substantial fare at tea served after 5:00 p.m., calling it theater tea and I am happy to offer this very comfortable dining alternative at the inn.
The usual full tea consists of tea sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a variety of sweets. For theater tea I add a cup of home-made soup to start. And there are always unlimited refills of the tea pot. Arriving between 5:00 and 5:30 for the 7:00 p.m. performance is plenty of time and even though it’s “tea”, it’s plenty of dinner. Not infrequently, there’s just no room for the sweets after all the rest. You can, of course, always carry them away, but on theater evenings, you can also return during intermission for your sweets with one last cup of tea.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 and Sunday matinees, plus Thursdays at 7:00 for the summer and fall shows, each show running two weeks. Here’s the schedule.
Born Yesterday May 2-4 and 9-11
Damn Yankees July 24-27 and July 31 – Aug.3
The Music Man Sept. 25-28 and Oct. 2-5
The importance of Being Ernest Nov. 145-16 and 21-23
Please check our calendar of events for theater tea dates. www.onehundredmain.com/explore-area/activities-at-the-inn/
It’s also possible to come to tea immediately before or after the Sunday matinee. As always, advance reservations are necessary.