A probably apocryphal Second World War story from Oxford University relates how an open-air production of a Shakespearean play was interrupted one fine summer evening by the appearance of a V2 rocket which 'cut out' sufficiently near the playing area to bring the action to a halt : as cast and spectators raced for shelter, a solitary voice was heard to remark, 'Thank God for war!' Such an attitude towards dramatic activities must be relegated firmly to the back of the mind when exploring the ancient and medieval stage.