Those wonderful men and women in blue have been causing chaos outside The Old Rep Theatre. They have had the brilliant idea of giving tickets to the coaches who are picking up the children after the show. They are being so assiduous in their task that the theatre staff had to persuade one coach not to drive away, leaving the children stranded.

Sometimes you do wonder if we are in living in a bizarre fascist state where human beings no longer respond to each other as human beings, but as sources of income, regardless of circumstances.

All being well the Birmingham Mail will be challenging this lunacy tomorrow.