Post on 06-Sep-2018
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Registered charity no. 212481 © RSC
RSC Dream Team 2016 Playmaking Festival
Information Pack
The Other Place
YBontFaenPrimary
AMidsummerNight’sDream
June2018
2018
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActI,sceneI
EnterTHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,DEMETRIUS,HELENA,LYSANDER,PHILOSTRATE,COURTIERS,MECHANICALSandPUCK.(actorsreachstagepositionsandfreeze)
LX-SX-Puckweavesamongsta‘frozen’assemble.MusiccutsonPuck’sclap
THESEUS Comenow,whatrevelsareinhand?
LX-
HIPPOLYTA Istherenoplay,toeasetheanguishofatorturinghour?
THESEUS CallPhilostrate.
PHILOSTRATE (bows)Here,mightyTheseus.
THESEUS Say,whatabridgementhaveyouforthisevening?
PHILOSTRATE (reluctantlyhandsoverascroll)Thereisabrief.
THESEUS “Atedious,briefsceneofyoungPyramusandhisloveThisbe;verytragicalmirth”“Merry”and“tragical”?“Tedious”and“brief”?
PHILOSTRATE Aplaythereis,mylord,sometenwordslong.WhichisabriefasIhaveknownaplay.Andbytenwords,myLord,itistoolong,whichmakesittedious.
THESEUS Whataretheythatdotheplay?
PHILOSTRATE (indicatestowardsMechanicals,theyelaboratelywaveback)Hard-handedmenthatworkinAthenshere.
THESEUS Wewillhearit.
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PHILOSTRATE No,mynobleLord,Itisnotforyou.Ihavehearditover…
THESEUS (interrupting)Iwillhearthatplay!(actorsfreeze)
FX–Track2(thunderclapafterTheseusspeaks)
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActI,sceneII
EnterNARRATORS(actorsstillfrozen)
LX-Warmwash
STORYTELLER1 (running,holdinguphands)Hangonaminute,wearenotquiteready;becauseourplaystartedfourdaysago.
STORYTELLER1 Then,thesethreecouplesweren’tmarriedandtheseworkmenhadn’tevenstartedtorehearsetheirplay.
STORYTELLER1 WeareinAthenswhereTheseusisKing.Hewillsoonbemarryinghisbeautifulbride-Hippolyta.
STORYTELLER1 Buthowthesetwocouples(indicateHermiaandLysanderandHelenaandDemetrius)cametobemarriedisourplay.
Charactersdisperse,leavingTHESEUSandHIPPOLYTAwhobeginmoving
STORYTELLER2 Fourdaysago,TheseusandHippolytawerelookingforwardtotheirwedding.WhileoutwalkingtheymetEgeus,Hermia’sfather,whowasveryworried.
NARRATOR2 ThelawinAthensstatesthatafatherdecideswhohisdaughtershouldmarry.Ifshedisagreeswithhischoice,shehastwooptions:Deathortobecomeanun.
EnterEGEUSandHERMIAhisdaughter,LYSANDERandDEMETRIUS
THESEUS GoodEgeus:what’sthenewswiththee?
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EGEUS FullofvexationamI,withcomplaintagainstmychild,mydaughterHermia.StandforthDemetrius.(DEMETRIUSstandsforwardandbows)MynobleLord,thismanhathconsenttomarryher.StandforthLysander;(LYSANDERstandsforward)and,mygraciousDuke,thismanhathbewitchedthebosomofmychild.Withcunninghastthoufilchedmydaughter’sheart.Turnedherobedience,whichisduetome,tostubbornharshness.
HIPPOLYTA WhatsayyouHermia?Beadvisedfairmaid:Demetriusisaworthygentleman.
HERMIA SoisLysander.
THESEUS Inhimselfheis.Butinthiskind,wantingyourfather’svoice.Theothermustbeheldworthier
HERMIA Iwouldmyfatherlook’dbutwithmyeyes.
THESEUS Ratheryoureyesmustwithhisjudgementlook.
DEMETRIUS Lysander,yieldthycrazedtitletomycertainright.
LYSANDER Iam,myLord,aswellderivedashe;Myloveismorethanhis,andIambelov’dofbeauteousHermia.DemetriusmadelovetoHelenaAndshedotesonhim.
THESEUS ImustconfessIhaveheardsomuch.Taketimetopause,fairHermia–Untilthenextnewmoon,Thesealingdaybetwixtmyloveandme.Demetrius,Egeuscome.Youshallgowithme.
ExitallexceptLYSANDERandHermia.
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActI,sceneIII
LYSANDER (Hermiasinkstoherknees)Ayme!Thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth.(LysandersinkstoHermia’slevelandinformsherofhisplan)
LX-centrespotlightforHermiaandLysander
STORYTELLER1 ButLysander,hasaplan.HehasarichAuntwholivestwentymilesawaywherethelawsofAthensdonotapply.HermiaandLysanderwillbesafethere.
STORYTELLER2 LysanderpersuadesHermiatosneakoutofherhousetomorrownightandmeethiminthewoods.Fromthere,theycanescapeandmarrywithoutherfather’spermission.However,assoonastheyhavereachthisdecision-Helenaturnsup.
EnterHELENA
LX-
HERMIA Godspeed,fairHelena!
HELENA Callyoumefair?Demetriuslovesyoufair.OteachmehowyoulookandwithwhatartYouswaythemotionofDemetrius’heart!
HERMIA Ifrownuponhim,yethelovesmestill.
HELENA Othatyourfrownswouldteachmysmilessuchskill!
HERMIA Igivehimcurses,yethegivesmelove.
HELENA O,thatprayerscouldsuchaffectionmove!
HERMIA ThemoreIhate,themorehefollowsme.
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HELENA ThemoreIlove,themorehehateth
me.
HERMIA Hisfolly,Helena,isnofaultofmine.
HELENA
None,butyourbeauty:wouldfaultweremine.
HERMIA Takecomfort:henomoreshallseemyface;Lysanderandmyselfwillflythisplace.
LYSANDER Atatimethatlovers’flightsdothstillconceal.ThroughAthens’gateswehavedevisedtosteal.
HERMIA Andinthewood,thedawnofourretreat,TheremyLysanderandmyselfshallmeet.
LYSANDER Wewill,myHermia.ExitHERMIAHelena,adieu.Asyouonhim,Demetriusdotesonyou.ExitLYSANDER
HELENA I’lltellDemetriusofHermia’sflight.Thentothewoodwillhetomorrownightpursueher.AndforthisintelligenceifIhavethanks,itisadearexpense.Exit
LX-centrespotlightonHelenaLightsfadeoutasHelenaexits
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActII,sceneI
EnterQUINCE,SNUG,BOTTOM,FLUTE,SNOUTandSTARVELING.
LX-Greenwash
QUINCE Isallourcompanyhere?(producingascroll)
BOTTOM Youwerebesttocallthemgenerally,manbyman,accordingtothescript.
QUINCE Hereisthescrollofeveryman’sname,whichisthoughtfitthroughallAthenstoplayinourinterludebeforetheDukeandDuchessonhisweddingdayatnight.
BOTTOM First,goodPeterQuince,saywhattheplaytreatson,thenreadthenamesoftheactors.
QUINCE Marry,ourplayis‘Themostlamentablecomedy,andmostcrueldeathofPyramusandThisbe’.
BOTTOM Averygoodpieceofwork,Iassureyou,andamerry.Now,goodPeterQuince,callforthyouractorsbythescroll.(elaboratelygestures)Masters,spreadyourself.
QUINCE AnswerasIcallyou.NickBottom,theweaver.
BOTTOM Ready.NamewhatpartIamfor,andproceed.
QUINCE You,NickBottom,aresetdownforPyramus.
BOTTOM WhatisPyramus?Alover,oratyrant?
QUINCE Alover,thatkillshimselfmostgallantforlove.
BOTTOM Thatwillasksometearsinthetrue
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performingofit.Nownametherestoftheplayers.
QUINCE FrancisFlute,thebellows-mender.
FLUTE Here,PeterQuince.
QUINCE YoumusttakeThisbeonyou.
FLUTE WhatisThisbe?(snatchingstickfromSTRAVELING)Awanderingknight?
QUINCE ItistheladythatPyramusmustlove.
FLUTE Nay,faith,letmenotplayawoman:Ihaveabeardcoming.
QUINCE That’sallone.Youshallplayitinamask,andyoumayspeakassmallasyouwill.
BOTTOM AnImayhidemyface,(pushingforward)letmeplayThisbetoo,I’llspeakinamonstrouslittlevoice‘Thisne,Thisne!’‘AhPyramus,loverdear!ThyThisbedear,andLadydear!’
QUINCE No,no;youmustplayPryamus–And,Flute,youThisbe.
BOTTOM Well,proceed.
QUINCE RobinStraveling,thetailor.
STRAVELING Here,PeterQuince.
QUINCE RobinStraveling,youmustplayThisbe’smother.TomSnout,thetinker.
SNOUT Here,PeterQuince.
QUINCE You,Pyramus’father:myself,Thisbe’sfather:Snugthejoiner?Youthelion’spart:andIhopethereisapartfitted.
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SNUG Haveyouthelion’spartwritten?Prayyou,ifitbe,giveitme,forIamslowofstudy.
QUINCE Youmaydoitextempore,foritisnothingbutroaring.
BOTTOM Letmeplay,theliontoo:(pushingforwardagain)Iwillroar,thatIwilldoanyman’sheartgoodtohearme;Iwillroar,thatIwillmaketheDukesay‘lethimroaragain,lethimroaragain’.
QUINCE YoucanplaynopartbutPyramus;forPyramusisasweet-facedman,asoneshallseeinasummer’sday;amostlovelygentleman-likeman:thereforeyoumustneedsplayPyramus.
BOTTOM Well,Iwillundertakeit.WhatbeardwereIbesttoplayitin?
QUINCE Why,whatyouwill.But,master,hereareyourparts:(handingoutscrolls)andIentreatyou,requestyouanddesireyou,toconthembyto-morrownight;andmeetinthepalacewood,amilewithoutthetown,bymoonlight.Therewewillrehearse.Iprayyou,failmenot.
BOTTOM Wewillmeet;andtherewemayrehearsemostobscenelyandcourageously.Takepains;beperfect.Adieu!Exeunt
Lightsfadeoutasactorsexit
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActII,sceneII
EnterFAIRYNARRATORS,OBERON,PUCK,TITANIAandherFAIRIES.(fairiesmovingcautiouslyhighandlow,checkingwhethertheyarealone)
LX-GreenwashSX–
STORYTELLER3 Asyoucansee,thewoodisbecomingverycrowded,whatwithHermiaandLysanderplanningtomeetthereandtheworkersplanningtorehearsethere.Butwhattheydon’tknowisthatthewoodisalreadythehometoanothergroupofcreatures–fairies.
STORYTELLER3 ButOberon,KingoftheFairies,isangrywithQueenTitania.Theybothwantthesamechangelingchildtobetheirservant.
OBERON (standingwiththeirfairiesoppositeeachother)Illmetbymoonlight,proudTitania.
TITANIA What,jealousOberon?
OBERON WhyshouldTitaniacrossherOberon?Idobutbegalittlechangelingboybemyhenchman.
TITANIA Setyouheartatrest.Iwillnotpartwithhim.
OBERON Givemethatboy.
TITANIA Notforthyfairykingdom.Fairies,away!ExitTITANIAandherFAIRIES
STORYTELLER2 Oberonhatestobetricked,sohecallsforRobinGoodfellow,amischievousspritealsonamedPuck.HeordersPucktofetchamagicalflower.
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PUCKexits
STORYTELLER1 WhenthejuiceofthismagicalflowerissqueezedontoTitania’ssleepingeyelids,shewillfallinlovewiththefirstcreatureshelooksat.
STORYTELLER1 Oberonthenintendstoconvincehisfairyqueentohandoverthechangelingboy.ButhisevilthoughtsareinterruptedbyDemetriusandHelena.Oberondecidestomakehimselfinvisible.
DEMETRIUS Ilovetheenot,thereforepursuemenot.ItellyouIdonot,norIcannot,loveyou?
HELENA AndevenforthatdoIloveyouthemore.
DEMETRIUS IamsickwhenIdolookonthee.ExitDEMETRIUS
HELENA AndIamsickwhenIlooknotonyou.Youdomemischief.FieDemetrius!Wecannotfightforlove,asmenmaydo:Weshouldbewooedandwerenotmadetowoo.I’llfollowtheeandmakeaheavenofhell,todieuponthehandIlovesowell.ExitHELENA
OBERON Faretheewell,nymph.Erehedoleavethisgrove,thoushaltflyhimandheshallseekthylove.EnterPUCK
STORYTELLER1 PuckreturnswiththemagicalflowerandOberontakessometosqueezeontotheTitania’seyelids.
STORYTELLER2 Butwhathehasjustwitnessedgiveshimamuchbetteridea.OberonthinksitwouldbemuchmoreinterestingtousethemagictomakeDemetriusfallinloveHelena.
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OBERON (givingsomeoftheflowertoPuck)Takethousomeofitandseekthroughthisgrove.AsweetAthenianladyisinlovewithadisdainfulyouth.Anointhiseyes.Butdoitwhenthenextthingheespiesmaybethelady.
PUCK Fearnot,myLord,yourservantshalldoso.Theyexit,separately
TITANIA EnterTITANIAwithherFAIRIESCome,singmenowasleep.Thentoyourofficesandletmerest.(thefairiessong)
FAIRY Hence,away!Nowalliswell:Onealoofstandsentinel.ExitFAIRIES(exceptforalonefairywhosleepsalongsideTitania)
Titaniaandherfairysleepupstage,farright
OBERON (enterOBERONwhosqueezestheflowerjuiceontoTITANIA’Seyelids)Whatthouseestwhenthoudostwake,Doitfortheytruelovetake.Loveandlanguishforhissake:Beitounceorcatorbear,Pard,orboarwithbristledhair,Inthyeyethatshallappear,Whenthouwakest,itistheydear.Wakewhensomevilethingisnear.ExitOBERON
SX-Track4LightsfadeasOberonexits
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActII,sceneIII
EnterATHENIANNARRATORS,LYSANDERandHERMIA
LX-Warmwash
STORYTELLER1 Titaniaisn’ttheonlyonewhoisshattered.LysanderiscompletelylostintheforestandheandHermiaareexhausted.Sotheydecidetosleepuntilmorning.Nottogether,ofcourse,butseparately.(LYSANDERandHERMIApreparetosleepinthewoods)
LYSANDER Buttospeaktroth,Ihaveforgotourway.Let’starryforthecomfortoftheday.Oneturfshallserveasapillowforusboth.Oneheart,onebed,twobosoms,andonetroth.
HERMIA NaygoodLysander.Formysake,mydearliefurtheroffyet.Donotliesonear.(LYSANDERhesitates)
LYSANDER Pleasebyoursidenobedroommedeny.For,lyingso,Hermia,Idonotlie.
HERMIA But,gentlefriend,forlovecourtesyliefurtheroffinhumanmodesty.(LYSANDERmovesaway)
LYSANDER Hereismybed.Sleepgivetheeallhisrest!
HERMIA Withhalfthatwishthewisher’seyesbepressed.
STORYTELLER2
PuckcomesinsearchofDemetriussothathecanusethemagicalflowertomakehimfallinlovewithHelena.However,hemistakesLysanderforDemetrius,andheisalreadyinlovewithHermia.EnterPUCK,searchingfor
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DemetriusPUCK (PUCKseesLYSANDER)
Thisishe,mymastersaid.DespisedtheAthenianmaid.(PUCKindicatesHERMIA.ThenPUCKsqueezestheflowerjuiceonLYSANDER’seyelids)Churl,uponthyeyesIthrowAllthepowerthischarmdothowe.ExitPUCKEnterDEMETRIUSandHELENA
SX-Track5(asPucksqueezesthejuiceonLysander’seyelids)
HELENA Stay!
DEMETRIUS Donothauntmethus!ExitDEMETRIUS
HELENA Butwhoishere?(noticingLYSANDER,butnotHERMIA)Lysanderontheground!Deadorasleep?Iseenoblood,nowound.Lysander,ifyoulive,goodsir,awake!
LYSANDER (wakingandfallinginstantlyinlovewithHELENA)AndrunthroughfireIwillforthysweetsake!NotHermia,butHelenaIlove:Whowillnotchangearavenforadove.
HELENA Goodtroth,youdomewrong,goodsoothe,youdo,insuchdisdainfulmannermetowoo.Fareyouwell.ExitHELENA
LYSANDER SheseesnotHermia.Hermia,sleepthouthere;AndnevermaystthiscomeLysandernear!And,allmypowers,addressyourloveandmighttohonourHelen,andbeherknight.ExitLYSANDER
HERMIA (HERMIAwakesfromanightmare)Helpme,Lysander,helpme!(shenoticesLYSANDERhasgone)What,outofhearing?Gone?Nosound,noword?No?ThenIwell
LightsfadeasHermiaexits
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActII,sceneIV
EnterQUINCE,SNUG,BOTTOM,FLUTE,SNOUTandSTARVELING
LX-Greenwash
BOTTOM Arewewellmet?
QUINCE Pat,pat;andhere’samarvellousconvenientplaceforourrehearsal.Comesitdown,everymother’sson,andrehearseyourparts.EnterPUCK,movingaroundunseenbytheactorsastheyarrangethemselves.
NARRATOR2 Astheworkersarrangethemselves,Puckarrives.Hesoonfindsachancetomakemischief.(PUCKfindsaseatintheaudiencetowatcheventsunfold)
QUINCE Pyramus,youbegin;whenyouhavespokenyourspeech,enterintothatbrake:andsoeveryoneaccordingtocue.Speak,Pyramus.–Thisbe,standforth.
BOTTOM (asPryamus)Thisbe,theflowersofodioussavourssweet.
QUINCE
‘Odours,odours!’
BOTTOM Odourssavourssweet.Sohaththeybreath,mydearestThisbedear.Buthark,avoice!Staythouhereawhile,andbyandbyIwilltotheeappear.(BOTTOMpretendshehasheardsomethingandgoesoffinsearch.PUCKleavestheaudiencetofollowhim)
FLUTE MustIspeaknow?
QUINCE Ay,marry,mustyou;foryoumust
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understandhegoesbuttoseeanoisethatheheard,andistocomeagain.
FLUTE (asThisbe)MostradiantPyramus,redroseontriumphantbriar.Astruesthorse,thatyetwouldnevertire.I’llmeetthee,Pyramus,atNinny’stomb.
QUINCE “Ninus’stomb,”man!Youspeakallyourpartatonce,cuesandall.Pyramus!Yourcueis“nevertire.”
FLUTE O,…astruesthorse,thatyetwouldnevertire.Re-enterBOTTOMwearinganass’sheadPUCKfollows
BOTTOM IfIwerefair,Thisbe,Iwereonlythine.
QUINCE Omonstrous!Ostrange!Wearehaunted.Pray,masters!Fly,masters!Help!ExitQUINCE,SNUG,SNOUT,FLUTEandSTRAVELING
BOTTOM Whydotheyrunaway?
QUINCE Re-enterQUINCEBlesstheeBottom,blessthee!Thouaretranslated!ExitQUINCE
BOTTOM Iseethereknavery:thisistomakeanassofme,tofrightme,iftheycould;butIwillnotstirfromthisplace,dowhattheycan:IwillwalkupanddownhereandIwillsing,thattheyshallhearIamnotafraid.(singinganddancingwithPUCKfollowingBOTTOM’smoves)Theouselcock,soblackofhue,Withorange-tawnybill.(TITANIAwakesandseesBOTTOMwithhisass’shead)
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TITANIA (lookingbackandforthtoaudienceandBOTTOM)Whatangelwakesmefrommyflowerybed?
BOTTOM (stillsinging.PUCKhidesnotwantingtobeseen)Thethrostlewithhisnotesotrue,Thewrenwithlittlequill–
TITIANIA (interrupting)Ipraytheegentlemortalsingagain.Mineearismuchenamour’dofthynote;soismineeyeenthralledtothyshape.Andthyfairvirtue’sforceperformdothmovemeso.Onthefirstview,tosay,toswear,Ilovethee.
BOTTOM Methinks,mistress,youshouldhavelittlereasonforthat:andyet,tosaythetruth,reasonandlovekeeplittlecompanytogethernowadays.
TITANIA Thouartaswiseasthouartbeautiful.I’llgivetheefairiestoattendinthee.(calling)Peaseblossom,Cobweb,MothandMustardseed!Enterfourfairies:PEASEBLOSSOM,COBWEB,MOTHandMUSTARDSEED
PEASEBLOSSOM, Hail!Hailmortal?
TITANIA Come,waituponhim,leadhimtomybower.Tieupmylove’stongue,bringhimsilently.Exitall
Lightsfadeasactorsexit
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActIIIsceneI
EnterFAIRYNARRATORSandOBERON
LX-Greenwash
STORYTELLER1 Oberongrowsimpatient;waitinginanotherpartofthewood.
STORYTELLER2 EnterPUCKPuckarrivesandtellsOberonhowhestumbleduponagroupofactorsintheforest,whoseemedtoberehearsingforaplay.HegoesontellOberon,howheplayedthemostmischievoustrickonamancalledBottombygivinghimanass’shead.
PUCK Soitcametopass.Titaniawakedandstraightwaylovedanass.
OBERON ThisfallsoutbetterthanIcoulddevise.ButhastthouyetlatchedtheAthenian’seyeswiththelovejuice,asIdidbidtheedo?
PUCK Itookhimsleeping–thatisfinishedtoo.AndtheAthenianwomanbyhisside,that,whenhewaked,offorcemustbeeyed.
STORYTELLER1 PuckbelieveshehasgrantedhisOberon’swishesandmadeDemetriusfallinlovewithHelena.Althoughweknowdifferent.EnterDEMETRIUSandHERMIAcausingOBERONandPUCKtobecome‘tree’like
OBERON Standclose:thisisthesameAthenian.
PUCK
Thisisthewoman,butnotthistheman.
HERMIA Haveyouslainhimthen?Henceforthbenevernumberedamong
LX-Warmwash
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men!DEMETRIUS Youspendyourpassiononamispriced
mood.IamnotguiltyofLysander’sbloodnorishedead,foraughtthatIcantell.
HERMIA Ipraythee,tellmethenthatheiswell.
DEMETRIUS AndifIcould,whatshouldIgettherefore?
HERMIA Aprivilegenevertoseememore.ExitHERMIA
DEMETRIUS Thereisnofollowingherinthisvein.HerethereforeforawhileIwillremain.(DEMETRIUSliesdowntosleepinfrontofthe‘tree’)
OBERON (toPUCK)Whathastthoudone? LX–Greenwash
NARRATOR1 It’sobvioustoOberonthatPuckhasmadeamistake.ThewrongmanisnowinlovewithpoorHermia.HesendsPucktofindHelenaassoonaspossible.ExitPUCK
NARRATOR2 OberondecidestodropusethemagicalfloweronDemetrius’.HewillthenmakesurethatHelenaisthefirstpersonhegazesuponwhenhewakes.(OBERONputsflowerjuiceontoDEMETRIUS’seyelids)
SXtrack6(asOberonputsjuiceonDemetrius’seyelids)
DEMETRIUS (PUCKwalksontothestageandclaps–HELENAthenenters,soontobefollowedbyLYSANDER.DEMETRIUSwakesandfallsinstantlyinlovewithHELENA)OHelen,goddess,nymphperfectdivine.Towhatmylove,shallIcomparethineeyes?
LX–Warmwash
LYSANDER FairHelen,mylove,mylife,mysoul,fairHelena.
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HELENA Ospite!Ohell!Iseeyouallarebenttosetagainstmeforyoumerriment.Canyounothateme,asIknowyoudo,butyoujoininsoulstomockmetoo?
HERMIA Lysanderspeaksnotashethinks;itcannotbe.
HELENA (noticingHERMIA)Lo,sheisoneofthisconfed’racy!Now,Iperceivetheyhaveconjoinedallthreetofashionthisfalsesportinspiteofme.InjuriousHermia,mostungratefulmaid.Haveyouconspired,haveyoucontrivedtobaitmewiththisfoulderision?
HERMIA Iamamazedatyourpassionatewords.Iscornyounot;itseemsthatyouscornme.
HELENA HaveyounotsetLysander,asinscorn,tofollowmeandpraisemyeyesandmyface?Andmadeyouotherlove,Demetrius,whoevenbutnowdidspurnmewithhisfoot,tocallmegoddess,nymph,divineandrare,precious,celestial?
HERMIA Iunderstandnotwhatyoumeanbythis…howcanLysandernowloveyouandhatethme?(shepausesafewsecondsandherangerslowlygrows)Ome!Youjuggler,youcanker-blossom,youthiefoflove!Whathaveyoucomeatnightandstolenmylove’sheartfromhim?
HELENA Fie,fie,youcounterfeit,youpuppet,you!
HERMIA Puppet?Whyso?Aythatwaygoesthegame.Herheight.Forsooth,shehathprevailedwithhim.AndaregrownsohighinesteembecauseIamsodwarfishandsolow?(veryangry)HowlowamI,thoupaintedmaypole?Speak!HowlowamI?Iamnotyetso
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lowbutthatmynailscanreachuntothineeyes.
HELENA (HELENAturnstoLYSANDERandDEMETRIUSforhelp)Iprayyou,thoughyoumockme,gentlemen,lethernothurtme.Youperhapsmaythink,becausesheissomethinglowerthanmyself,thatIcanmatchher.
HERMIA Lower?Harkagain.
HELENA O,whensheisangry,sheiskeenandshrewd.Shewasavixenwhenshewenttoschool,andthoughsheislittle,sheisfierce.
HERMIA Littleagain?Nothingbutlowandlittle.Whywillyousufferhertofloutmethus?Letmecometoher!(HERMIAattacksHELENA,butLYSANDERintervenes)
LYSANDER Getgone,youdwarf,youminimusofhindringknot-grassmade!Youbead,youacorn.(HERMIAisthrowntothefloor,butherangerpropelshertochaseHELENAoffthestage)Nowsheholdmenot;Nowfollow,ifyoudar’st,totrywhoseright,ofthineormine,ismostinHelena.
DEMETRIUS Follow?Nay,I’llgowiththeecheekbyjowl.ExitDEMETRIUSandLYSANDERseparately
LightsfadeasDemetriusandLysanderexit
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActIIIsceneII
EnterNARRATORS,OBERONandPUCK
LX–Greenwash
STORYTELLER1 OberonisnotpleasedwithPuck’smischief-making.Ithascausedeveryonetostartarguingandthereistotalchaos.
STORYTELLER2 HeordersPucktotireeveryoneoutandgiveshimsomedifferentmagic,especiallymatchedforLysander.
STORYTELLER1 AndwhilstPuckisbusyhewillpersuadeTitaniatogivehimthechangelingboy.ExitOBERON
PUCK (PUCKenterswithHERMIA,HELENA,DEMETRIUSandLYSANDERinatrance.Hemagicallymovesthemaroundthewood)Upanddown,upanddownIwillleadyouupanddownIamfearedinfieldandtownGoblin,leadthemupanddown.(oncetheyareasleepPUCKsqueezesmoreflowermagiconLYSANDER’seyelids)(PUCKmovesupstage)Onthegroundsleepsound.I’llapplytoyoureye,gentlelover,remedy.Whenthoughwak’st,thoutak’sttruedelightinthesightofthyformerlady’seye,Themanshallhavehismareagain,andallshallbewell.
LX–SX–Track7(tobeginassoonasPuckbeginsmovingthe4lovers)
TITANIA EnterTITANIAandBOTTOMwiththeFAIRIESattending,andOBERON,behind,unseen
LX–Greenwash
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Come,sittheedownuponthisflowerybed,whileIthyamiablecheeksdocoy,andstickmusk-rosesintheysleeksmoothhead,Andkisstheyfairlargeears,mygentlejoy.
BOTTOM Imusttothebarber’s,formethinksIammarvelloushairyabouttheface.AndIamsuchatenderdonkey,ifmyhairdobuttickleme,Imustscratch.
TITANIA Say,sweetlove,whatthoudesiresttoeat?
BOTTOM Icouldmunchyourgooddryoats.MethinksIhavegreatdesiretoabottleofhay.
TITANIA Sleepthou,andIwillwindtheeinmyarms.Fairies,begone,andbeallwaysaway.ExuentFAIRIESO,howIlovethee!HowIdoteonthee!(theybothfallasleep)
TitaniaandBottomfallasleepupstage,right
STORYTELLER1
EnterPUCKWhenPuckarrives,OberontellshimthatTitaniahaswillinglygivenhimthechangelingboy.
OBERON AndnowIhavetheboy,Iwillundothishatefulimperfectionofhereyes.(OBERONtouchesTITANIA’seyelidswiththeantidote.Shewakesandrises)
SX–Track8(asOberonmovestowardsTitania)
TITANIA MyOberon!MethoughtIwasenamouredofanass.
OBERON (indicatingBOTTOM)Thereliesyourlove.
TITANIA Howcamethesethingstopass?O,howmineeyesdoloathehisvisagenow!
OBERON Silenceawhile.Pucktakeoffhishead.
PUCK (toBOTTOM,removingtheass’s
26
head)Now,whenthouwak’st,withthineownfool’seyespeep.ExuentOBERON,TITANIAandPUCK,leavingthefourloversandBOTTOMstillasleep
STORYTELLER2 EnterNARRATORSThenextdayisTheseusandHippolytas’sweddingday.ItisalsothedayHermiahastodecidewhosheshouldmarry.
STORYTELLER1 EarlyinthemorningTheseusandHippolytaareouthuntingwithEgeus,Hermia’sfather.
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActIIIsceneIII
EnterTHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,EGEUSandattendants.
LX–Warmwash
THESEUS But,soft!Whatnymphsarethese?
EGEUS MyLord,thisismydaughterhereasleep.Andthis,Lysander:thisDemetriusis-thisisHelena.Iwonderoftheirbeingheretogether
THESEUS Gobidthehuntsmenwakethemwiththeirhorns.TheLOVERSawakeGoodmorrow,friends.
SX–Frenchhorn
LYSANDER (confused,butloversscrambletotheirfeetandbow)Pardon,mylord.
THESEUS Iprayyouall,standup.Iknowyoutwoarerivalenemies.Howcomesthisgentleconcordintheworld?
LYSANDER (duetheantidoteLYSANDERhasforgotteneverything)Mylord,IcannottrulysayhowIcamehere.IcamewithHermiahither:ourintentwastobegonefromAthens.
EGEUS (interrupting)Ibegthelaw,thelaw,uponhishead–Theywouldhavestolenaway,theywould,Demetrius,therebytohavedefeatedyouandme:Youofyourwifeandmeofmyconsent,ofmyconsentthatsheshouldbeyourwife.
DEMETRIUS MyLord,theobjectandpleasureofmineeye,isonlyHelena.Toher,mylordwasIbetrothedereIsawHermia.ButlikesicknessdidIloathethisfood.But,asinhealth,cometomynatural
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taste.NowIdowishit,loveit,longforit,andwillforevermorebetruetoit.
THESEUS Fairlovers,youarefortunatelymet;Egeus,Iwilloverbearyouwill,Thesecoupleshalleternallybeknit.AwaywithustoAthen;threeandthree,We’llholdafeastingreatsolemnity.ComeHippolyta.ExeuntallbutBOTTOM,stillasleep(snoringastheyleave,DEMETRIUSglancesoverhisshoulder)
FadelightsasDemetriuslooksoverhisshoulder
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActIV,sceneI
(BOTTOMwakesstillbelievinghe’srehearsingfortheplay)
LX–Warmwash
BOTTOM Whenmycuecomes,callme,andIwillanswer.God’smylife!Ihavehadamostrarevision.MethoughtIwas–andmethoughtIhad–butmanisbutapatchedfoolifhewilloffertosaywhatmethoughtIhad.IwillgetPeterQuincetowriteaballadofthisdream;itshallbecalled‘Bottom’sDream’,becauseithathnobottom.ExitBOTTOM
STORYTELLER1 Alittlelater,backinAthens…theplay,withinourplay,isabouttobegin.EnterQUINCE,FLUTE,SNOUTandSTARVELING
LX–Greenwash
QUINCE HaveyousenttoBottom’shouse?Ishehomeyet?
STRAVELING Hecannotbeheardof.Outofdoubtheistransported.EnterSNUG
SNUG MasterstheDukeiscomingfromthetemple,andthereistwoorthreelordsandladiestobemarried.Ifoursporthadgoneforward,wehadallbeenmademen.
FLUTE OsweetbullyBottom!Ifhecomenot,thentheplaygoesnotforward.(theactorssearchforBOTTOM)
SX–Track9LX–Lightsflash(ifpossible)LX–Greenwash
BOTTOM EnterBOTTOMWherearetheselads?
QUINCE Bottom!Omostcourageousday!O
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mosthappyhour!
BOTTOM Masters,theDukehathdined,Dearactors,eatnoonionsnorgarlicforwasaretouttersweetbreath–ourplayispreferred.Nomorewords:away!Go,away!Exitall
Fadealllights
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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActIV,sceneII
EnterNARRATOR
LX–Warmwash
STORYTELLER1 Andthisishowthreecouples,andnotjustone,cametobemarriedthatdayandentertainedthatevening.
STORYTELLER2 ThisstageissetasatthebeginningasTHESEUSandHIPPOLYTA,LYSANDER,DEMETRIUSandHELENA,withPHILOSTRATE(actorsreachpositionsandfreeze)Andforthoseofyouwithagoodmemory,whichlookingatyou,isextremelydoubtful,thisiswhereourplaybegan.
THESEUS (toPHILOSTRATE)Iwillhearthatplay.Gobringthemin.ExitPHILOSTRATETHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,DEMETRIUS,andHELENAmovetoupstagelefttowatchtheplayEnterQUINCE
SX–Track10
QUINCE Ifweoffend,itiswithourgoodwill.Thatyoushouldthink,wecomenottooffend,butwithgoodwill.Toshowoursimpleskill,thatisthetruebeginningofourend.Considerthen,wecomebutindespite.Wedonotcomeasmindingtocontentyou,ourtrueintentis.Allforyourdelightwearenothere.Thatyoushouldhererepentyou,theactorsareathandandbytheirshow,youshallknowallthatyouareliketoknow.ExitQUINCE,quicklyreturningwith
LX–Centrespot
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SNOUT,aswall.
SNOUT InthissameinterludeitdothbefallthatI,oneSnoutbyname,presentawall.Andsuchawall,asIwouldhaveyouthink,thathadinitacranniedholeorchink,throughwhichthelovers…(forgettingnames)
QUINCE (stagewhisper)PyramusandThisbe.
SNOUT PyramusandThisbe…Didwhisperoften,verysecretly.Thisloam,thisrough-castandthisstonedothshowthatIamthatsamewall;thetruthisso.Andthiscrannyis,rightandsinister,throughwhichthefearfulloversaretowhisper.EnterBOTTOM,asPyramus
THESEUS Pryamusdrawnearthewall;silence.
LX–Warmwash
BOTTOM Othis,Owall,Osweet,Olovelywall,Showmethychink,toblinkthroughwithmineeye.(SNOUTrevealsachinkinthewall)Thankscourteouswall.ButwhatseeI?NoThisbedoIsee.CursedBethestonesforthusdeceivingme!EnterFLUTE,asThisbe
FLUTE Owall,fulloftenhastthouheardmymoans,mycherrylipshaveoftenkissedthystones.
BOTTOM Iseeavoice;IcanhearmyThisbe’sface.Thisbe!
FLUTE Mylove!Thouartmylove,Ithink.
BOTTOM WiltthouatNinny’stombmeetmestraightaway?
FLUTE Comewithoutdelay.ExeuntBOTTOM,FLUTEandSNOUT.
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EnterSNUGaslionandSTARVELINGandmoonshineRe-enterFLUTE,asThisbe
FLUTE ThisisoldNinny’stomb.Whereismylove?
SNUG (apatheticroar)Raaaa….FLUTErunsoffdroppinghercloak.SNUGattacksthecloakthenexits.EnterBOTTOMasPyramus
BOTTOM (toSTARVELING)Sweetmoon,Ithanktheeforthysunnybeams.(noticesThisbe’storncloak)Whatdreadfuldoleishere?Eyes,doyousee?Howcanitbe?Odaintyduck!Odear!Thymantlegood,What!Stainedwithblood?
HIPPOLYTA Ipitytheman.
BOTTOM (drawinghisswordandstabbinghimself)ThusdieI,thus,thus,thus!NowamIdead,NowamIfled;Mysoulisinthesky.Tongue,losethylight,MoontakethyflightExitSTARVELINGNowdie,die,die,die,die.EnterFLUTE,asThisbe
FLUTE Asleep,mylove?What,dead,mydove?OPyramusarise!(pickinguphissword)Farewell,friends;ThusThisbeends:(shestabsherselfanddies)
34
THESEUS MoonshineandLionarelefttoburythedead.
DEMETRIUS Ay,andwalltoo.
BOTTOM (leapingupfromhisdeathbedandcomingoutofcharacter)No,Iassureyou,thewallisdown.Willitpleaseyoutoseetheepilogue?
HIPPOLYTA Noepilogue,Iprayyou.Lovers,tobed,‘tisalmostfairytime.Sweetfriendstobed.Exuentall
Lightsfadeasactorsleave
35
Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes
ActIV,sceneIII
EnterPUCKwithasweepingbrush.EnterOBERONandTITANIAandtheFAIRIES,alsowithbrooms
LX–Greenwash
OBERON Nowuntilthebreakofday,throughthishouseeachfairystray.Tothebestbride-bedwillwe.Whichbyusshallblessedbe.Andtheissuetherecreateevershallbefortunate.(indicatingTITANIAwillgowithhim)Tripaway,makenotstay;Meetmeallbybreakofday.ExuentallbutPUCK
PUCK (totheaudience)Ifweshadowshaveoffended,thinkbutthis,andallismended,thatyouhavebutslumberedhere,whilethesevisionsdidappear,andthisweakandidletheme,nomoreyieldingbutadream,So,goodnightuntoyouall.Givemeyourhands,ifwebefriends,andRobinshallrestoreamends.(hesweepshiswayoffstage)THEEND
LX–lightsfade,centrespot(onPuck)SX–Track11(quietlythanincreasevolumeafterPuckhasfinishedhismonologue)Thecastwillreturntostageandbow