GODS OF THE ADELPHI BY JULIE BALLOO

Extract

A SMITH SCRIPT

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Gods of the Adelphi OR

The Covent Garden Ghost.

By Julie Balloo 2018

Cast: Roles could be played 4 male actors and 2 female actors playing multiple roles, smaller roles can be split to suit scene changes. The play is set in 1897, though the last scene is set in 1936.

Characters: William Terriss

Richard Archer Prince

Jessie Millward/ Fan 2

Maggie Archer/Fan 1/ Mrs Archer/ Mrs Darby

Mr Budd / Clerk / Pap 2 / Mr Vanguard /Judge/ Inmate actor

James St John Denton / William Abingdon / Warden Various Voice Overs

Act One

A SCREEN ONSTAGE PROJECTS OLD BLACK AND WHITE FOOTAGE ON A LOOP OF QUEEN VICTORIA’S DIAMOND JUBILEE PARADE AROUND TRAFALGAR SQUARE. THERE IS A SIMULTANEOUS MALE VOICE OVER - OLD STYLE RP PATHE NEWS NARRATES. THE STAGE IS QUITE BARE SO IT CAN BE EASILY TRANSFORMED INTO VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THERE ARE RED CLD DURTAINS UPSTAGE TO INDICATE THE STAGE WHEN REQUIRED. THIS COULD BE PLAYING BEFORE PLAY BEGINS.

SCENE 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnip7RRc3Q4

V/O The year was 1897, Diamond Jubilee Year, a very memorable year. Queen Victoria had been on the throne since 1837, 60 years of our glorious monarch. A year of general rejoicing and celebrations when this land of ours stood at the very apex of its greatness, a year of happiness for all British people, rich and poor alike. As the year drew to an end crowds queued for seats to see the latest Adelphi offering, American civil war melodrama, Secret Service starring the darlings of the West End and Gods of the Adelphi - William Terriss and Jessie Millward.

THE FILM STOPS AND WE FOCUS ON THE STAGE. THE ADELPHI THEATRE. THE CURTAINS ARE DRAWN AND THE SOUND OF THE ORCHESTRA TUNING UP CAN BE HEARD. ALL GOES QUIET. THE CURTAINS ARE PULLED OPEN AND A MAN STEPS OUT ONTO THE STAGE. HE IS DISTRESSED AND CLEARLY NOT ONE OF THE ACTORS. HE IS THE THEATRE MANAGER MR. BUDD.

MR. BUDD Ladies and Gentleman may I have your attention? I have an announcement… a very important announcement...I am deeply grieved and pained to inform you that a serious, nay a terrible, accident will render the performance of Secret Service this evening quite impossible. I apologise for this disruption and I will also ask you to pass out into the street as quietly as possible. It is hardly necessary for me to add that your money will be returned on application at the pay boxes. LIGHTS FADE. BIG BEN CHIMES

WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE UP WE ARE IN DENTON’S THEATRICAL AGENCY. MAIDEN LANE. DENTON AND PRINCE ARE SEATED OPPOSITE EACH OTHER AT A DESK. PRINCE IS WEARING A SHABBY OVERCOAT BUT HAS TRIED TO LOOK HIS BEST TO IMPRESS.

DENTON You’ve been out of town for a good while, any luck in the provinces? PRINCE I’ve been in Dundee working in the Shipyards. DENTON Hmm, the shipyards, so you’re a strong lad I see, I can probably get you a position as a supernumerary, you do need to be robust in that line of work. PRINCE I have my dreams Mr Denton Sir, and they do not include working as a supernumerary, one day I, Richard Archer shall be known the whole world over as the greatest actor ever to walk the boards. DENTON (Laughs) Richard dear, if I had a farthing every time I heard that I’d be able to retire. PRINCE Don’t let this brogue fool you, I can do Irish, English, and foreign. (EACH WORD IS SAID IN RELEVANT ACCENT). I have worked with the best, I have shared the stage with the great William Terriss I’ll have you know and one day I …Richard Archer shall be known as The Terriss of Scotland, that I promise you. DENTON Hmmm, well I might be able to get you a pantomime in the season. PRINCE I would prefer to work at the Adelphi. PRINCE GESTURES TO THE WINDOW WHICH OVERLOOKS THE ADELPHI THEATRE. DENTON Oh, I’m sure you would, who doesn’t want a run at the old girl? Even when I was treading the boards a role at the Adelphi was considered the pinnacle of one’s career, wonderful times indeed. In fact, …DENTON REGARDS HIM A MOMENT. If memory serves, weren’t you how shall I put it… asked to leave an Adelphi season mid run? PRINCE No! I? Good Lord! Never! DENTON I thought I heard a rumour regarding your temperamental conduct. PRINCE No! No such rumour. DENTON Richard, I won’t tolerate wayward behaviour; it reflects badly on my reputation. PRINCE I believe you may be referring to a misunderstanding Mr. Denton, that’s all it was, just a simple misunderstanding. DENTON Hmmm, elaborate please. PRINCE It was years ago, nothing really... in my capacity as supernumerary I was carrying some very heavy props when I stumbled and dropped something on my foot. I fear I may have cried out in pain that is all and quite possibly sworn…loudly. DENTON And you were dismissed just for that? PRINCE No, as I said, a misunderstanding, ridiculous gossip, you know what actor types are like? I had simply injured myself and I was given leave to rest that is all, I assure you. DENTON Oh I don’t know...there are so many of you these days wanting to work in the theatrical business, one can’t move in Piccadilly for actresses and actors and I don’t want to waste my time. PRINCE That may be so but none who are as passionate as I. Why when I was a lad I went to the Theatre Royal Dundee every evening after I finished my shift at the foundry. That is how I learned my craft. I would forget about everything…nothing else mattered but the stage and I would lose myself in another world. I could for a brief time exist in a fantasy land free of the grime and din of my life. I knew it was possible to become another, look I have memorised every speech of , I know all the moves (HE DEMONSTRATES) all the speeches …Alas poor Yorick. DENTON (INTERUPTS) No need! PRINCE I assure you, no one has worked as hard as me Mr Denton. DENTON I admire your zeal I’ll give you that... very well Richard...I’ll take you on. PRINCE Oh thank you Sir, thank you. You will not regret this. DENTON I hope not. Now you will need to get yourself some decent clothes, the roles I’ll be sending you for will require you have your own wardrobe. PRINCE Of course. DENTON And remember, you are now an ambassador for The James St John Denton Theatrical agency and above all, my very good reputation. PRINCE Of course, Oh thank you Mr Denton you will not be sorry I promise you. Please do your utmost to get me an engagement Sir and I assure you I will do you proud.

DENTON I suggest you get over to the Adelphi (HE GESTURES OPPOSITE) inform them you are there for the role of the Super. PRINCE But… DENTON I suggest you go now. DENTON WRITES DOWN PRINCE’S NAME AND ENTERS THE DOCUMENT INTO HIS FOLDER MARKED ACTORS.

SCENE 2 FAMOUS ACTOR WILLIAM TERRISS IS IN HIS DRESSING ROOM. HE IS A HANDSOME AND CHARISMATIC MAN OF FIFTY. HE IS GETTING READY FOR THE PLAY ‘ONE OF THE BEST’ HE DRESSES IN MILITARY CLOTHING. HE DOES SOME ELABORATE VOCAL EXERCISES AS HE DRESSES. THERE IS A GENTLE KNOCK ON HIS DOOR.

WILLIAM Entrée!

PRINCE ENTERS AND BOWS IN AN EXAGERATED MANNER. WILLIAM WATCHES SLIGHTLY BEWILDERED. WILLIAM Can I help you? PRINCE Good day Sir, I wish to formerly introduce myself Mr Terriss, Sir. WILLIAM Oh, who are you then? PRINCE I am Richard Archer soon to be a newly acquired player of the company. I am honoured to be working alongside you Sir. I have long admired your artistry and I would like to think that just by being in such close proximity to one like yourself that in time some of your talent and good fortune will rub off on me. WILLIAM Well Mr... Err ...I am grateful for your compliments and I wish you every success, which role have you taken? PRINCE At present sir I am but a supernumerary but in due time under your tutorship I expect great things to follow. WILLIAM Indeed, well I’m not much of an instructor but feel free to observe my every move if it pleases you. (WILLIAM LOOKS AT HIM INTENTLY) Have we met before, Sir? You appear familiar to me.

PRINCE No…well that is I had a small role in Harbour Lights here, back in the eighties and I played Diego in Silver Falls in 89. WILLIAM Diego? Ah yes, thought so, I never forget a face…names but not faces. PRINCE I have always admired you Sir, if there is anything I can do for you, any errands or tasks you only have to ask. WILLIAM Oh...very kind of you …er... PRINCE Richard Archer but I’m thinking of adding Prince to my name, making me Richard Archer- Prince. WILLIAM Very distinguished, well I must not tarry, it’s nearly beginners. PRINCE Of course, good luck to you. WILLIAM No! Shhh...good grief! Never say that old chap; never say (whispers good luck). I mean I’m not one for superstitions, but some of the others may take umbrage and suppose the entire performance ruined. PRINCE What should I say Mr Terriss? WILLIAM Break a leg, that’s what one says, break a leg. PRINCE Break a leg of course and why do we say that Sir?

WILLIAM It’s an old phrase from back in Shakespeare’s day, if the audience enjoyed the show; they threw coins on the stage after the performance so the poor old dramatis personae had to bend down to pick them up. Like so,(demonstrates) thus breaking the leg. So that’s what we say instead of...you know what. PRINCE See you have taught me something already sir, I won’t forget that advice. Mr. Terriss Sir, I …er…wondered, might you be able to put in a word for me? See that I get a speaking part? WILLIAM Oh, er.... well leave it with me and I’ll keep an eye on you. PRINCE Thank you, thank you and break your leg. WILLIAM No...

BUT PRINCE HAS ALREADY BACKED AWAY.