Brian Friel Plays 2

by Brian Friel

  Anna The days are shortening already, aren’t they? (She pauses beside the Princess.) Are you all right, Auntie?

  Princess Why do you always ask that absurd question when you know the answer. No, I am not all right. There’s a constant buzzing in my head. I can scarcely walk with arthritis. That meal they gave us was inedible. And I am about to be sick with the smell of cat in this damn place. (She rises and leaves left.) When you’re ready to leave you’ll find me in the paddock. There’s a black filly there that needs to be broken.

  Anna She gets great comfort from her misery.

  Pavel I’m studying her carefully. We could have a lot in common.

  Fenichka You don’t have her vigour, Pavel.

  Pavel I could simulate that, too, couldn’t I?

  Fenichka Nikolai tells me you had a good harvest.

  Anna I was away for most of it. Yes, it was a good harvest. (She gestures her indifference.) The best I’ve ever had … It’s good to hear Arkady singing.

  Fenichka Yes.

  Anna And Katerina tells me he’s out and about again.

  Fenichka He hadn’t much choice. The estate’s his now. He was needed on the land.

  Anna They’re a handsome couple.

  Pavel Aren’t they.

  Anna A pity you’ll miss the wedding, Pavel.

  Fenichka The weddings, Anna.

  Anna Of course.

  Pavel Yes, I’m sorry about that. I’m due to arrive in Zurich that day.

  Fenichka waters the plants in front of the veranda.

  Any news of the epidemic? – the typhus epidemic?

  Anna I’m told it’s almost died out.

  Pavel Has it?

  Anna So I’ve heard.

  Pavel Ah. Good.

  Anna Yes.

  Pavel So it’s over now?

  Anna Almost. Not quite.

  Pavel Good. They cause great devastation, those things. But they pass – they pass.

  Anna That’s true.

  Pavel And the world carries on.

  Anna I suppose so. Yes, of course it does.

  Pause.

  Pavel I got to know him slightly just before he left here. I hadn’t understood him at all before that. In my stupidity. He was a fine man.

  Anna He was also a … difficult man.

  Pavel He was that, too.

  Anna He wanted to marry me.

  Pavel I gathered that.

  Anna (crying quietly) I should have married him, Pavel …

  Pavel Perhaps – perhaps.

  Anna Oh, yes, I should. Oh, yes. It would have been a difficult marriage but I should have married him, It’s very hard to carry on when you know you’ve made so enormous a mistake, Pavel. How do you carry on?

  Pavel I wish I could help you, Anna. I very much wish I could help you. I have no answers to anything. We all want to believe at least in the possibility of one great love. And when we cannot achieve it – because it isn’t achievable – we waste our lives pursuing surrogates; at least those of us who are very foolish do.

  Fenichka Soon be time to bring them inside.

  Pavel And that’s no life, no life at all. (He puts his hands on Anna’s shoulders.) A kind of contentment is available, Anna: in routine, acceptance, duty.

  Anna I had that life.

  Pavel It has its consolations. Is that a terrible thing to say?

  Anna He thought so.

  Pavel I know. But it’s the only threadbare wisdom I have for you. I don’t believe a word of it myself.

  Dunyasha enters with the glasses. She barely conceals her fury.

  Dunyasha Miss, the champagne glasses, miss.

  Fenichka (very calm) Thank you, Dunyasha. Put them on the table.

  Dunyasha Is there anything else I can get you, miss?

  Fenichka That will be all for now, Dunyasha.

  Dunyasha Sir, what about you, sir?

  Pavel Sorry?

  Dunyasha Sir, can I get you anything, sir?

  Pavel (alarmed at this attention) Me? No … nothing … nothing, thank you.

  Dunyasha stumps off into the house.

  Nikolai enters from the left. He is wearing a very brightly coloured jacket – a jacket for a much younger man. Now and again bring up the sound of distant piano-accordion music.

  Nikolai I’ve held you all up, have I?

  Fenichka I thought you’d gone dancing by yourself.

  Nikolai Ha-ha. Just saying a word of formal thanks and encouragement to the workers for their sterling efforts over the past weeks. (A quick kiss and embrace for Fenichka.) This looks splendid! Excellent! I love those dahlias.

  Fenichka These are the dahlias.

  Nikolai Are they? I never get them right. They’re beautiful anyhow. (to all) Incidentally some time later on it would be greatly appreciated if we all put in a brief appearance at the dance; just to – you know – just to – to pass ourselves. No obligation whatever to – to participate – not that some of us could … (indicating his lameness) … even if we wished to. I’ll ask Arkady to dance with you on my behalf – just once!

  Pavel You’ll have to let me have one dance, too, Nikolai. Nikolai Yes?

  Pavel Of course. The brother-in-law to be. I was an excellent dancer once upon a time. (to Fenichka) That’s agreed, then.

  Nikolai Good. Good. Yes. Fine. Anyhow. Now to organize our lives. Is everybody here? (He looks into the living-room where Katya and Arkady are talking heatedly.) Look at those two love-birds.

  Katya bangs the piano-lid shut.

  Fenichka Squabbling love-birds.

  Nikolai Arkady! Katya! Come out here at once! Where’s the Princess?

  Anna She’s walking around somewhere.

  Nikolai I’ll go and get her.

  Anna No. Leave her. She’s happier by herself.

  Katya and Arkady join the others.

  Arkady Well – well – well – well!

  Ironic clapping.

  Feast your eyes on that wonderful sight!

  Nikolai What’s the matter?

  Arkady Just look at that astonishing jacket! Where did that come from?

  Nikolai I agree with you, Arkady. I think myself it’s much too young for a man of –

  Fenichka I chose it, Arkady.

  Arkady Did you now?

  Fenichka And I think he’s very handsome in it.

  Katya So he is. And it’s a wonderful jacket. (to Arkady) We all agree.

  Arkady I’m sure you do. I still think it’s remarkable.

  Nikolai does a mock pirouette.

  Nikolai What do you think, Anna?

  Anna (in a reverie) Sorry – sorry?

  Nikolai Do you approve of it?

  Anna Approve of –?

  Pavel (quickly) We all think you’re gorgeous, Nikolai. And I’m madly jealous. One Tailor’s Dummy in the house is sufficient.

  Nikolai Who is the Tailor’s Dummy?

  Pavel Didn’t you know? That’s what the servants call me.

  Nikolai I never heard that, Pavel.

  Pavel I don’t mind in the least. It’s not without affection, is it?

  Fenichka Show them the lining, Nikolai.

  Nikolai I certainly will not!

  Fenichka Go on! For my sake.

  With mock coyness Nikolai unbuttons the jacket and opens it to reveal an even more brilliant lining.

  Applause and laughter.

  Nikolai And this, of course, is the real Nikolai Petrovich.

  Fenichka Feast your eyes on that!

  Katya Yes – yes – yes – yes!

  Arkady Ridiculous.

  Fenichka And when he’s tired of it, I’m going to wear it – inside out.

  Nikolai Enough of this. I’m not sure you’re all not taking a hand at me. Let’s all gather round the table and get a glass. There’s going to be no formality. And no speeches. Just an exchange of congratulations and good wishes between friends. Come over here beside me, Fenichka. Has everybody got something in his glass?

  Katya (filling her glass) Ju
st a second, Nikolai.

  Nikolai Give me your hand, Katya. Good. Splendid. Well. The harvest is saved. It has been a good, an especially good, year. And first of all we want to thank you most warmly, Anna – don’t we, Arkady? – most warmly indeed for all the tremendous help you have been to us not only in your advice and wisdom over the past months but more particularly, indeed most particularly, for your spontaneous and generous offer of your machinery – an offer, may I say –

  Arkady You said no speeches.

  Nikolai And there’ll be none.

  Arkady Good. Thank you, Anna.

  Nikolai Thank you most sincerely, Anna. And if the situation is ever –

  Arkady Father!

  Nikolai Sorry – sorry. Thank you. We all thank Anna – don’t we?

  Clapping. Raising of glasses.

  Fenichka Incidentally did you hear that Adam’s old aunt has died?

  Nikolai Somebody did mention that. When did it happen?

  Fenichka Early this morning. Are you still thinking of sacking him?

  Nikolai Yes. No. He worked like a Trojan this past month. But this is a matter for you, Arkady. You’re master of the estate now.

  Arkady I’ll think about it. I’ll watch him. He knows he’s on probation.

  Nikolai Why do you ask?

  Fenichka No reason. Just wondering. Who’s for more wine?

  Katya Me, please. We’re all going to miss you very much, Uncle Pavel.

  Pavel For all of two minutes.

  Arkady I think you’ve had enough wine, Katya.

  Katya (dismissively) I’ll make that decision. (to Pavel) Yes, we will. A whole lot.

  Pavel (to Katya) Did I hear you playing ‘Drink to me only’?

  Katya And Arkady was singing. Weren’t you?

  Arkady ignores her.

  Nikolai That used to be my song … long ago … Shakespeare wrote the words – did you know that?

  Pavel No.

  Nikolai Yes, he did.

  Pavel Jonson.

  Nikolai What’s that, Pavel?

  Pavel A contemporary of Shakespeare.

  Nikolai Yes?

  Pavel Ben Jonson.

  Nikolai What about him?

  Pavel He wrote the words.

  Nikolai What words?

  Pavel Ben Jonson.

  Nikolai Who is this Ben Jonson, Pavel?

  Pavel Nothing – nothing – just that you said that Shakespeare wrote the words of –

  Arkady (shouting) Who cares! (controlled) Who cares who wrote the bloody words! Who gives a damn! Exactly four weeks ago today Bazarov died – and who cares about that? – who even remembers? Not even one of you! All you care about is stupid jackets and big harvests and stupid bloody songs! Well, I care. And I remember. And I will always remember. And in the coming years I’m going to devote my life to his beliefs and his philosophy – to our philosophy – to carrying out his revolution. That’s what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. And nothing in the world – absolutely nothing – is going to stop me! (He breaks down and cries.)

  There is a long, embarrassed silence. Katya pours another drink. Nikolai, unable to endure the silence, begins to hum but tails off quickly. Silence again.

  Then Fenichka goes to Nikolai and whispers in his ear.

  Nikolai Sorry? What’s that?

  Fenichka The books.

  Nikolai Books? What books? Oh the books! Of course! Piotr’ll get them for me. P –

  He is about to shout ‘Piotr!’ – and miraculously there is Piotr, now very drunk, at his elbow.

  Ah. There you are, Piotr. Isn’t that remarkable?

  Piotr Sir.

  Nikolai I didn’t call you, did I?

  Piotr Yes, sir, you did.

  Nikolai Did I?

  Piotr With great clarity. Twice. And here I am.

  Nikolai Well, if you say so, Piotr. Splendid. Run up to my bedroom and on the table beside my bed you’ll find two books. Bring them here to me, will you?

  Pause.

  Piotr C-h-r-y-s-

  Nikolai Sorry? What’s that?

  Piotr C-h-r-y-s-a-n-t-

  Nikolai What’s he saying?

  Piotr -r-y-s-a-n-t-m-t-m-r-s-y-

  The others laugh. Prokofyich, stiff and stern, enters.

  Nikolai You’re not intoxicated, Piotr, are you?

  Piotr I know it. I’m telling you I know it. Let me try again. C-h-r-s-y-

  Prokofyich leads Piotr off left.

  Prokofyich Come on, boy. You’re for bed. (to all) Sorry about this. It won’t happen again. Come on. Move, boy. (to all) You know you are all cordially invited to the dance later on.

  Nikolai Thank you, Prokofyich. We’ll go for a short time.

  Prokofyich Very good. I’m sorry about this.

  They exit; Piotr still trying to spell.

  Katya I’ll get those books, Nikolai.

  Nikolai Poor old Piotr. Poor boy must be suffering terribly.

  Fenichka He’s been at it since lunch-time.

  Pavel And it’s time I went and got some packing done. I hope the wedding – no, weddings – will be a great success. I’m sure they will. (He produces a tiny box.) I have ordered a proper present – it’s due to arrive at the end of the week. In the meantime – it’s only a token. (He hands the box to Fenichka.)

  Fenichka Thank you very much, Pavel.

  Nikolai What is this?

  Fenichka It’s a ring. It’s beautiful, Pavel, really beautiful. Thank you.

  Nikolai Let me see.

  Fenichka kisses Pavel on the cheek.

  Pavel Make it two dances.

  Nikolai Lovely, Pavel. Thank you very much. What’s engraved on the stone? Is it a sphinx?

  Pavel Is it? It’s only a token. No value whatever.

  Fenichka I don’t believe that.

  Nikolai Put it on.

  Fenichka I love it. I’ll think of you every time I wear it.

  Nikolai It’s a beautiful memento, Pavel.

  Pavel Magnifique! That’s two occasions I’ll be recalled: whenever you wear that ring; and every time borzoi fanciers get together and Katya’s damned pup is discussed. (to Arkady) I’ve ordered something for you and Katya, too. I hope you’ll like it.

  Arkady Thank you – from both of us.

  Katya returns with two books.

  Katya Here you are.

  Nikolai Thank you, Katya. And these are for you, Pavel. Something to read on your journeyings.

  Pavel What’s this?

  Nikolai Fenichka chose them. We hope you like them.

  Pavel Mrs Ann Ward Radcliffe! Never! The Romance of the Forest and The Mysteries of Udolpho. Wonderful! Where did you get them? They’ve been out of print for years!

  Fenichka Piotr hunted them out when he was in Petersburg last month.

  Pavel Absolutely wonderful! You couldn’t have given me greater pleasure! Darling, innocent Mrs Ann Ward Radcliffe. And the two I’m missing. Can I bear so much intellectual stimulation?

  General laughter. He kisses Fenichka and then Nikolai.

  Nikolai Brother – brother Pavel.

  Pavel I’ll carry them with me wherever I go. Merci. Merci beaucoup.

  Nikolai (wiping away his tears) Now. One final toast. Yes, I’m sorry, Arkady. I’m going to make a short speech – a very short speech.

  Katya I would like to hear a very long speech.

  Nikolai What I just want to say is that this house, this home, is about to suffer a permanent and irreparable loss. Pavel is leaving. We will miss him terribly. And I want him to know that wherever he goes, our love will accompany him always, everywhere. But there is a silver lining to – to – to every – We do have a compensation, indeed a very substantial compensation. Fenichka Fedosya has consented to be my wife and for that – that – that benediction I am profoundly grateful. And on the same day – this day two weeks, amn’t I correct? – and on this very lawn another marriage will be celebrated between Katya Sergeyevna and my son, Arkady. And by that union, too, I am profoun
dly gratified. Some people might think that there is something inappropriate about a father and a son getting married on the same day, some disorder in the proper ordering of things. But I know that for both of us it will be an occasion of great joy and great fulfilment. And who is to determine what is the proper ordering of things?

  Bring up the accordion playing ‘Drink to me only’.

  Fenichka Listen, Nikolai.

  Nikolai (to Katya) That clever musician – he picked it up from you.

  They all listen for a few seconds.

  That was our song, long ago. Maria and I. I sang the melody and she sang the seconds. Our party piece. Her eyelids fluttered when she sang. Shakespeare wrote the words – did you know that?

  He begins to sing. Fenichka watches him with a strained smile. He puts his arm around her and hugs her.

  Sing!

  She gives him an uncertain smile but does not sing.

  Katya moves beside Arkady. She catches his hand. She begins to sing and sings the words directly into his face. He does not sing.

  Pavel moves across to Anna who is sitting away from the others. He catches her hand.

  Pavel Do you sing?

  Anna Occasionally. When I’m alone.

  Pavel Yes. Je comprends …

  Nikolai and Katya

  Drink to me only with thine eyes,

  And I will pledge with mine;

  Or leave a kiss but in the cup

  And I’ll not look for wine.

  The thirst that from the soul doth rise

  Doth ask a drink divine;

  But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,

  I would not change for thine.

  MAKING HISTORY

  for Basil and Helen

  Characters

  Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone

  Harry Hoveden, O’Neill’s private secretary

  Hugh O’Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell

  Peter Lombard, Titular Bishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

  Mabel, Countess, O’Neill’s wife

  Mary Bagenal, Mabel’s sister

  Act One: Before Kinsale

  Scene One: O’Neill’s house in Dungannon

  Scene Two: The same

  Act Two: After Kinsale

  Scene One: The Sperrin mountains

  Scene Two: Penitenzieri Palace, Rome

  Making History was first performed by Field Day Theatre Company in the Guildhall, Derry, on 20 September 1988. The cast was as follows: