David Hare Plays 3 by David Hare

Author:David Hare [David Hare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780571301348
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Published: 2013-07-11T16:00:00+00:00

Act Four

London. 1995. The backstage of a small Victorian West End theatre. A small dressing room with a row of mirrors framed in lightbulbs. Esme has not done anything to decorate it at all, so the effect is painfully bare. There is just a stool and a surface for all her make-up. There is a small sofa and a screen. Some period costumes hang on a rail.

As the act begins, Toby Cole is already appearing. He is in his early twenties, rather tousled and blithe. He has a Walkman round his neck, and a T-shirt, but he has not taken off his period breeches nor his dark make-up, so the effect is quite curious. He approaches the dressing room door nervously and calls in.

Toby I’m sorry. Do you mind?

A pause.

Am I disturbing you, Esme?

A pause.

Are you sleeping?

Esme (off) If only.

Esme appears from behind the screen. She is now in her late sixties. She has been resting, with her face covered in white cream so that it makes a mask. She looks like a kabuki player. She wears a pink dressing gown. She seems withdrawn, as if she has retreated into herself. She goes to the door and opens it to let Toby in.

Oh Toby, do you want to come in?

Toby I thought you might like a sandwich. I’m going to get a sandwich, that’s all.

Esme smiles to say no, then goes to sit at her stool to begin getting ready for the next performance.

You never eat anything.

She throws a smile at him. Toby doesn’t want to leave.

I was wondering what you thought of the matinee?

Esme Oh …

Toby I was pleased. It felt pretty good. I think I’m beginning to get the hang of that last scene. The rhythm. You always bang on about rhythm. And I thought this afternoon … well, actually the rhythm wasn’t too bad.

Esme No.

Toby In that first scene, I wanted to ask: when we come from the shipwreck, do I look too eager when you give me the apple?

Esme No, I think you do it just right.

Toby is hanging around the door, at ease.

Toby Did you hear the director’s coming this evening?

Esme No.

Toby I’ll be interested to hear what he thinks.

Esme says nothing.

I still can’t believe it. It’s incredible. I was thinking, I mean really … this honky little show. I stuck my nose out in the alley just now. There’s already a great long queue for returns. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but it is quite amazing. Isn’t it? I’m not being offensive, but I never imagined it could happen to us.

Toby smiles artlessly.

I didn’t dare tell you. I was telling my mother – this was weeks ago – you were going to star in this play. When she came to see it, she said – I didn’t like to tell you – well, she said it was the best thing you’d ever done.

He holds a hand up to avoid offence.

You were always her favourite actress, I mean, not to be rude, but when she was young …

Esme It’s all right.

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