Burbage is Mr Gilliechattan’s Cockatoo. He is very talkative

and frequently quotes lines from Shakespeare that seem

uncannily apt.

He is almost 70 years old, and is reputed to be a direct

descendant of a parrot belonging to Edward Alleyne, lead

actor of “The Admiral’s Men” at “The Globe” theatre. Mr

Alleyne called his parrot Burbage too - as a jibe at Richard

Burbage, lead actor of “The Lord Chamberlain’s Company”

from “The Curtain,” (a rival theatre), saying: “My Burbage

hath a farre better memorie for his lines!”

“ ‘All the world’s a stage,’ Burbage cackled, ‘And
all the men and women merely players.’ Then gripping
alternately with his beak and claws, he climbed one
of the tapestry curtains, and settled himself snugly
behind the pelmet. ”