I'm here because I've been awakened by a disturbing dream about a child mysteriously dying en route to a Chicago 1903 performance of BABES IN TOYLAND. The name that sticks in my head, now that I'm awake, is Taylor Kincaid, who was very young, and my only memory is that it was a matinee, the mother was young with two children and in my dream she sewed a button on Taylor's coat in a restaurant before they left for the theatre. She had a letter with her recommending a hotel. This dream is unsettling for several reasons: it seemed very real, I believe this is a true story but I can't tell you why and the plot of BABES IN TOYLAND involves a toymaker intent on building toys to kill and maim children. Of course in the show, no children die but this dream freaks me out a bit. I've been up googling the name Taylor Kincaid. Nada.
On a CLOSER thought, is the coroner's being named Dr Crippin an homage to the famoous Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen who killed his shrewish wife for the love of beautiful Ethel le Neve? Every time his name comes up, I laugh!
And, I'm back to bed, hopefully with no more dreams of Taylor Kincaid.