By Omri Schein & Phil Johnson Original Music by James Olmstead A Loose and Comical Adaptation of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë PRODUCTION SCRIPT www.stagerights.com WITHERING HEIGHTS Copyright © 2019 by Omri Schein and Phil Johnson All Rights Reserved All performances and public readings of WITHERING HEIGHTS are subject to royalties. It is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America, of all countries covered by the International Copyright Union, of all countries covered by the Pan-American Copyright Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention, and of all countries with which the United States has reciprocal copyright relations. All rights are strictly reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, including mechanical, electronics, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author. Publication of this play does not necessarily imply that it is available for performance by amateurs or professionals. It is strongly recommended all interested parties apply to Steele Spring Stage Rights for performance rights before starting rehearsals or advertising. No changes shall be made in the play for the purpose of your production without prior written consent. All billing stipulations in your license agreement must be strictly adhered to. No person, firm or entity may receive credit larger or more prominent than that accorded the Author. For all stage performance inquiries, please contact: Steele Spring Stage Rights 3845 Cazador Street Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 739-0413 www.stagerights.com PRODUCTION HISTORY Withering Heights was originally produced by the Roustabouts Theatre Company in San Diego. Directed by David Ellenstein CAST OF CHARACTERS Cast Total: 2 (non-gender specific) ACTOR 1: NELLY, the maid. HEATHCLIFF, the outsider. HINDLEY EARNSHAW, Catherine’s cruel brother. A rabid DOG. EDGAR LINTON, a genteel neighbor. CATHERINE LINTON, his whimsical daughter. ACTOR 2: JOSEPH, the unintelligible servant of the Heights. CATHERINE/CATHY EARNSHAW, the lovely but manic heroine. MR. EARNSHAW, owner of Withering Heights. FRANCES EARNSHAW, Hindley’s “horsey” wife. ISABELLA LINTON, Edgar’s snooty sister. LINTON, her sickly son. HARETON, Hindley’s manly son. THE CHARACTERS While we welcome and encourage you to create your own wild and whimsical portrayals, we do have a few suggestions that will assist in presenting a clear story. Joseph should be unintelligible. A thick Yorkshire brogue usually does the trick. Frances should be as horse-like as possible. Edgar and Isabella are all teeth and privilege. And Linton is a British, Woody Allen-ish twit. THE ACTORS & STORY This is a tour-de-force for two character actors. It’s an opportunity for two funny people to pull out all their tricks: walks, faces, and voices. However, the comedy should be based in truth. The comedy should come from the story and the stakes. Every character really feels what they feel and wants what they want. There should be no winking at the audience or any sense of “look how funny we are.” Tell the story and have a fun time doing it. Also, please note: this show is not gender or race-specific. The only prerequisite is to be funny. THE SCORE The score is a third character— or should we say the 14th character— in the show. The play comes with musical tracks. Each track is listed where it should be used in the script. It is up to you to decide how long each musical moment should last according to your individual staging needs. But it is essential that the tracks are used. COSTUMES Characters change by the second. The less costuming, the better. We recommend a single “period” sexless costume. Then add a scarf or a bow or a hat to differentiate the characters. Ultimately, the acting choices will make the difference. SETTING & TIME England; The Yorkshire Moors; 1776–1802 APPROXIMATE RUN TIME 80-90 minutes without intermission. WITHERING HEIGHTS – PRODUCTION SCRIPT 1 MUSIC: PRE-SHOW (ROMANTIC MOVIE THEMES) SCENE 1 MUSIC: WITHERING HEIGHTS MAIN THEME A big, curtained picture frame stands in the middle of the stage. Stage left: a barren Moorish tree. On stage right: a tombstone (large enough to hide a person). NELLY, the maid, sets the scene at the house— which has seen better days. NELLY is churning butter on a stool. With a churn: a barrel, churn stick, and a paddle. These items double as all the other props throughout the show. NELLY (sensing the audience) Oh, you startled me. I didn’t notice you all sitting there in silence. So nice that you’ve come. You’re here for my fresh butter, aren’t you? Nelly Forbush is famous in these parts, on the Moors… for her butter. Nelly Forbush, that’s me. House keeper. Confidant. Butter-churner extraordinaire. The curtain opens. SFX: MAGICAL HARPS Catherine Earnshaw poses in the picture frame. Oh— I see you all gazing upon that portrait of dear Catherine. What a beauty she was. And fiery. You don’t know who Catherine Earnshaw was? Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of— Withering Heights? SFX: WH EFFECT (A FRAU BLUCHERISH BANG) Lightning flashes. It’s quite a story. My favorite. A story of love, sadness, and— horror! (gasps or screams) There’s a woman out there who put our story to paper. But she got it wrong! Would you like to hear it? The real story! The way it truly was? Yes, I thought so. MUSIC: PLEASANT THEME It began on an evenin’ like this one. Dark, wet, chilly. (shivers) We were all much younger then— Music out. JOSEPH, an old, crusty servant, enters— out of the mist. 2 WITHERING HEIGHTS – PRODUCTION SCRIPT NELLY (CONT’D) (little scream) Who’s there? Oh, it’s my old friend, Joseph. (to us) Joseph is a most loyal servant here at the Heights. Strict Calvinist, you know. (to Joseph) It’s good to see you Joseph. But, you’re soaked to the core! JOSEPH It be pourin’ loike the West Indies oot thar. NELLY (does she understand him?) Yes. I’ve been brushing it differently. Where are young Catherine and Master Hindley? Causing mischief, no doubt. JOSEPH CathyahndHindleyahrcausinaearacousagain. Loudasthedevilhimself. NELLY (still confused) Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, Joseph. Will you please go tell the children that supper is almost ready? And that their dear father, Mr. Earnshaw should be home from London any minute now? JOSEPH coughs violently. I’ll take that as a “yes.” JOSEPH exits behind the frame— changes to Cathy. Cathy was just a wee girl then, and this house was full of laughter, full of continuous joy! MUSIC: CHASE NELLY exits— changes to HINDLEY. CATHY, as a young girl, runs in laughing. CATHY Hindley? Brother dear, come find me! I’m hiding… Music out. HINDLEY enters. HINDLEY I abhor this game. I’d rather burn ants with my magnifying glass! CATHY Oh Hindley, you’re such a boy! HINDLEY Of course I’m a boy. I have a winky. Maybe I’ll simply burn you instead— He tries to burn her. CATHY Owwwwww! Stop, I’ll tell Nelly! WITHERING HEIGHTS – PRODUCTION SCRIPT 3 HINDLEY This is dull. When will daddy be home from London? He said he’d bring me a present! CATHY I want one too! SFX: HORSES TROTTING I hear the horses! (hand to ear) Could it be Father? CATHY exits behind the frame. HINDLEY Huzzah! Maybe it’s my bear trap!!!! A new addition to my torture accoutrement collection! MR. EARNSHAW, the kindly father, enters. EARNSHAW Children! I’m home! HINDLEY Daddy, Daddy! My present, my present! EARNSHAW My boy! Look at you! What’s that on your fingers? HINDLEY Blood. EARNSHAW Have you been skinning cats again? HINDLEY Not since yesterday. EARNSHAW Go wash your hands at once! HINDLEY But where’s my present— He makes an innocent face. EARNSHAW Hindley. How can I refuse that face? HINDLEY Is it another bear trap? EARNSHAW Shouldn’t we wait for Cathy? HINDLEY I can’t wait for her! I must have it now! 4 WITHERING HEIGHTS – PRODUCTION SCRIPT EARNSHAW You’ve always been a spirited boy. Very well then. He gives him a “fiddle” (the butter paddle). HINDLEY (disappointed) That’s not a beartrap! EARNSHAW No, it’s your very own violin! Can you say Stradivarius? HINDLEY I suppose this could be a bear trap. He swings it around disrespectfully. HINDLEY exits behind the frame. EARNSHAW I know they’ll be over joyed by my next present! I saved the best gift for last— (overcome) Oh, my heart! Come here, Heathcliff! HEATHCLIFF, a Gypsy boy, enters, cautiously. There you are lad! Come over here! HEATHCLIFF I don’t know if they’ll like me, Mr. Great Big White Man— EARNSHAW How many times must I tell you— call me papa! HEATHCLIFF No more “Great Big White Man”? EARNSHAW Let’s stick with “Papa.” HEATHCLIFF Alright, Papa… EARNSHAW That’s it! You’ll be the best present I’ve ever brought them. So much better than that goat. HEATHCLIFF I can’t help but feel a little strange— Might there be any chance that by bringing me here and forcing me into your English family world we run a risk of upsetting some cosmic balance, unleashing forces we can’t control, causing disruption, turmoil, broken family relations for generations…? Naaaah. EARNSHAW Dance me a jig, Gypsy urchin! WITHERING HEIGHTS – PRODUCTION SCRIPT 5 MUSIC: GYPSY THEME HEATHCLIFF (as he dances a Gypsy dance) Yes Papa. EARNSHAW When I found you in that dirty brothel covered with dung and syphilitic cockroaches, I knew I alone had to save you from your filthy heathen self! Music out.