trelawny of the wells script
Do you think you'll like the arrangement? In the left-hand corner of the room is a small bedstead with a tidily-made bed, which can be hidden by a pair of curtains of some common and faded material, hanging from a cord slung from wall to wall. "Raphael, why have you kept me waiting? Forgive me; I should have said hopeful. Pinero, wrote Webster, was a "martinet who drilled his actors in every detail of movement and inflection. the Gowers! I see you do. Ahem! Hush, hush! So much for the actress. H'm, still. You're an independent girl, dear; they came to you, these people; not you to them, remember. [In a fluster.] The room is of a humbler character than that shown in the first act; but, though shabby, it is neat. Lady McArchie wishes you to try it over; and if I may add my entreaties------", [Taking his arm.] There! [Rising and facing him.] Much obleeged, much obleeged. He forgets everything but the parts I play, and the pieces I play in---poor child! Avonia embraces and kisses him.]. Howwid girl! How did he carry this? Sit down and talk. [Throwing her arms about his neck.] How often does he write to ye? William! he was a little man too! [Who is a little flushed and unsteady.] Isn't he a little bandy? On this table is a work-basket containing a ball of wool and a pair of knitting-needles; and on the prompt-table there is a book. [Sitting upon the dress-basket dejectedly.] you sweet thing! Aren't you trying to write any plays just now? Demon of Discontent. This will be a blow to the "Wells," ma'am. Imogen Parrott---! Tyrannical! Enough of that, Colpoys! *] I don't know what you're doin'. Yes, yes, I know------, [Mrs. Mossop's voice is heard calling "Ablett!" Ah-------! Yes, but this is so line-y, Violet; so very line-y. must I raise my voice to ye-? I shan't easily forget this afternoon, Mr. Telfer. I am now at liberty to accompany you round the 'ouse, ma'am------[A flash of lightning.]. [Charles goes out laughing. it's infallible. [To Tom.] They proceed to set out the dishes upon the table. ]They don't ask me to act at all, James. Above the sofa, on the left, stands a large black trunk, the lid bulging with its contents and displaying some soiled theatrical finery. With my young friend's chariot at the door, his horses pawing restlessly and fretfully upon the stones, I am prevented from enlarging, from expatiating, upon the merits of this toast. [Shaking her head.] Ah---h---h! Comedy Arthur W. Pinero Characters: 10 male, 8 female 4 interior scenes Actress Rose Trelawny falls in love with the grandson of a snobbish knight. Then, sir, let me acqueent you that these are not the manners, nor the practices, of a gentleman. It's all he's good for, and he won't advance that unless I can get a further five, or eight, hundred from some other quarter. And we thought it only nice and polite to invite Tom Wrench and Gussy------. [To the group.] Why, what a clatter you and Mr. Wrench have been making----------! Rose is nineteen, wears washed muslin, and looks divine. Rose is standing by a chair; Gadd, Avonia, Colpoys, and Tom are together.]. On the top of the piano there is a wig-block, with a man's wig upon it, and in the corners of the room there stand some walking sticks and a few theatrical swords. Often described as the "best actress of her generation", Streep is particularly known for her versatility and accents. No---it can't be---but yes---I believe I have the privilege of addressing Mr. Ablett, the eminent greengrocer, of Rosoman Street? Man, do you wish to break my heart---[thumping her breast] a woman's hear---r---rt, Raphael? I feel sure there are good ingredients in Rose's character. [returning to the prompt-table with Imogen] you stroll on, looking about you! [Leaning upon his arm.] 'Vonia, I see myself in this! It was our intention------. To fashion heroes out of actual, dull, every-day men---the sort of men you see smoking cheroots in the club windows in St. James's Street; and heroines from simple maidens in muslin frocks. Mrs. Gadd, dearie, I'm sure I'm not in the least inquisitive; no one could accuse me of it---but I should like to know just one thing. To think of your journeying from the West to see me make my exit from Brydon Crescent! [She disappears and is heard speaking in the distance.] Rose rises with a cry of terror. Perfesshunnal, Miss Rose? I beg your pardon. [Restraining her.] [Behind his hand.] [Embracing Rose.] Eh---h---h? to whose share does the Earl fall? poor 'Vonia! ], I've found it! [Tom bangs his manuscript down upon the table savagely. The opportunity---her opportunity, my opportunity, your opportunity, Rose. She played last night for the last time---the last time on any stage. [Whipping up the mustard energetically.] And then, that poor little song I used to sing on the bridge----, [Singing softly.] [At the door, to Ablett.] Why, her broken engagement to poor young Gower has really been the making of her! Is! [Testily.] Telfer is a thick-set, elderly man, with a worn, clean-shaven face and iron-gray hair "clubbed" in the theatrical fashion of the time. Mossop.] [He points the scissors at his breast.] [To Imogen.] [Mrs. Telfer returns.]. Accessibility Statement Terms Privacy |StageAgent © 2020. ", "Neither, I believe. Great Heaven! Imogen, elaborately dressed, enters from the Green-room and goes leisurely to the prompt-table. No, he's not---[sitting on the sofa, leaning his head on his hands] he's a stunner. I'll risk no further stake. [Rising.] [Rose and Clara creep away and join the others. [To Telfer, softly.] [With a twinkle in his eye---mopping his brow.] I see Sir William h'and the rest descend the stairs. Thank you. Arthur is leaving the room with her.]. [To Imogen.] Accessibility Statement Terms Privacy |StageAgent © 2020. Rebecca, my loved one! [Handing the ale to Telfer.] [To O'Dwyer.] How d'ye do, Sir William? [Beckoning to the lady, who does not observe him, her back being towards him.] I should then understand the motives and the springs of Crime! [*Filling his glass. Let her be for a minute, James. [Gently.] Mr. Gordon and Miss Rose Trelawny! It is on the------. Yes, deep down in the well of that girl's nature there has been lying a little, bright, clear pool of genuine refinement, girlish simplicity. [Sitting on the stool.] ha, I perceive you have already acquired the impudence of your vagabond class, sir; the brazen effrontery of a set of------! Research Playwrights, Librettists, Composers and Lyricists. [Touching Gadd's pipe, which is lying at his feet, with the end of his stick.] With Kean? The Vice Chancellor has something to say to us. I'll not have it! [Angrily.] Egad, I play it! Kean! Well, Mr. Clandon thinks it isn't. and The Cherry Orchard.Broadway: Love for Love (Clarence Derwent Award), Secret Service, Member of the Wedding, Crimes of the Heart (Tony nom., Obie Award), … ], [To Sir William.] [Advancing to her, giving her two fingers.] Poor mother brought me up in that way, not to speak to anybody, nor look. Mr. Gadd and Mr. Colpoys shall sit by me, one on each side. [Coming into the room, distractedly.] My dear sister------ [To Arthur.] I know one who was good for two box tickets, Mrs. Mossop. LCT: When the Rain Stops Falling, Old Money, A Delicate Balance.At the Vivian Beaumont (NYSF): Trelawny of the "Wells" (Tony nom.) Film: The Current War, Florence Foster Jenkins, The Voices, One Chance, Standby.TV: Redwater, The Collection, Galavant … [At the door, to Imogen.] Miss Trelawny. I am coming, sir---- [He goes out quickly. [To Rose.] There, I've never done the West End so thoroughly in my life! ], [Pushing her aside.] Good-morning, ma'am. Their stuffy room I that's no excuse. [Closing the door sharply, and facing Gadd with great seriousness.] No, many and many a night you will see me in the house, looking down at you from the Circle---me and my husband------, And if you send for me I'll come behind the curtain to you, and sit with you and talk of bygone times, these times that end to-day. Don't you love him now, the more? She takes his hand and drops her head upon Avonia's shoulder. Of course we shall. [Mending the fire.] [With dignity.] Sit down. why shouldn't she be told? Now, at the Olympic, slip an H and you're damned for ever. My way of showing homage, Mossop. *] Anything, anything------. [To Rose, breaking down.] ]And so I said to Ferdy, over tea, "Ferdy, let's spend a bit of our honeymoon' in doing the West End thoroughly, and going and seeing where Rose Trelawny lives." Tom, assist me with my basket; I'll give 'Vonia her belt------, [Tom and Rose go behind the curtains and presently emerge, carrying the dress-basket, which they deposit.]. you wait! "Somebody singing. I---I'm sorry, ma'am. To Telfer, awkwardly.] Ha, ha! [To Imogen.] [He sits.] Which will lighten the demand for the spongy turnip and the watery marrow, my poor Ablett. At the foot of the bedstead stands a large theatrical dress-basket. Oh------! ], [The door opens slightly and Imogen is heard. Why, you are meeting her this morning for the first time. sssh! ]Well, but a few good speeches to a man of your stamp------. Ah, and a sweet thing Miss Trelawny is------! Poor Mr. and Mrs. Telfer! At intervals Ablett vainly represents to her the impropriety of her proceeding. [Gadd and Colpoys seat themselves upon the sofa, like men in a dream. Thank you, Captain Fred. He did write day after day, two or three times a day, for about a week. Put your coat on, Ablett. In time, William, in time! Tsch! Ah---h---h, I am ruined! [To Rose.] What's the matter? O'Dwyer.------[O'Dwyer takes his chair, and retires to the "prompt-corner," out of sight, with the air of martyrdom. Stand aside! Rose may never be able to abandon her art and her lifestyle in order to please the family of the man she loves; if she returns to the stage, though, she may never be able to perform with a broken heart. He's alive [producing a small packet of letters]. begone! Yes, child, I confess I love you---. Oh, what can I do? [Imogen, Gadd, Colpoys, and Avonia go to the windows, open them, and look out. At any rate, the next thing was he began sending bouquets and coming to the stage-door. [Sitting on the right of the table, panting.] Let us---let------[Gripping Arthur's hand tightly, he bows his head upon Rose's shoulder.] Ladies and gentlemen! Tom! The rain beats still more violently upon the window panes.]. Rose and Arthur talk in rapid undertones.]. [Hiding his face.] [To Gadd and Colpoys.] [Charles, having prepared the card-table, and arranged the candlesticks upon it, has withdrawn. He is the son of a college chum of Lord Parracourt's---so I heard his lordship tell Lady McArchie---and is destined for public life. [He stalks away.]. Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an American actress. Why, whenever I find that I am recognized by people, and pointed out---people in the pit of a theatre, in the street, no matter where; and when I can fancy they're saying to each other, "Look! How's this, Rose---------? Yes, indeed she was, most popular---till she grew oldish and lost her looks. [Imperatively.] and these are the associates you would have tempted my boy---my grandson---to herd with! I can think of no one else------. You won't play it, darling? All right, I believe you. [Sitting.] [Colpoys perches the hat upon his head, and behaves in a ridiculous, mincing way. I hope she doesn't see. [Tartly.] And at last I took it into my head to consult Mr. Clandon, who married an aunt of mine and lives at Streatham, and he'll lend me five hundred pounds. I've told Mrs. Mossop the reason they've reduced Rose's salary. [Reading from the manuscript.] [Bringing her a chair, demonstratively dusting the seat of it with his pocket-handkerchief]. When you are silent I am sleepless at night and a haggard wretch during the day. The eponymous Trelawny is a rose too: Rose Trelawny, first lady of the “Barridge Wells Theatre”, a girl preparing to marry up and purge herself of dramatic affectations, making ready for reserve, embroidery and after-dinner whist. "No fuss," said the Gower family, "no publicity. [Waving away the inquiry.] Sssh, sssh, sssh! [Arthur goes up the stage with Sir William, Sir William still uttering protests. Oh, how dreadful! View All Characters in Trelawny of the Wells. this is to be whist, I hope. [There is a loud and prolonged knocking at the front door.]. [Sulkily.] My love! Quite in place, Trafalgar; quite in place. what? nor to sing! [More composedly, to Tom, who has returned to his side.] Miss Brewster. You know, the speeches were so short and had such ordinary words in them, in the plays you used to read to me---no big opportunity for the leading lady, Wrench. [To O'Dwyer.] [Brightly.] Saturday Youth Group. [At the door, turning to them.] But you, dear Mrs. Telfer---you weren't at the reading---what are you cast for? [Telfer advances to the prompt-table, slowly. At the keyhole.] She folds the plaid and lays it upon the sofa. [Tom opens the door slightly. Reelly, I should 'ardly advise you to wenture h'out, miss------. Look for it! You remember it? Will you---be able---to get near it, James? Oh, indeed, sir! [In a low voice.] You used to play your very serious little parts in it------. A non-professional gentleman they give out, ma'am. You see, I got leave to introduce a song---where Blanche is waiting for Raphael on the bridge. ------! [Smiling.] Whitty also had a harrowing experience with Arthur Wing Pinero, who directed her in Trelawny of the Wells, also in 1910. and "Trelawny of the 'Wells!'" [To Rose.] Don't be a fool, Wrench. And therefore, ma'am, upon receiving your letter last night, acqueenting me with your intention to commence rehearsing your comedy---[glancing at Tom] his comedy------, Ugh---to-day at noon, I determined to present myself here and request to be allowed to---to------. There is great consternation at the card-table. It's no good your being sweet on her any longer, surely? [*Sitting, with playful dignity. oh, dear! [Earnestly.] Meryl Streep. I'll think this over. No, no, O'Dwyer---not your "love.". He never writes now. What are ye doing, madam? Ten is the number. Oh, Charles, I know not what to do! The room is in half-light as Sir William enters, cautiously, closely followed by Miss Gower. Oh---h---h! [Coming down the stage, violently.]