Dramatic Affairs

by Fredrica Alleyn

  ‘The solicitor chappy? Oh great, I’d like that.’

  ‘Yes, well that’s not to say you’ll be playing Gerald, it’s just the part I’d like to hear you read in the morning,’ Christopher reminded him. ‘OK, everyone, well I think we’ll call it a day for now. By the way, if anyone from the press asks you any questions about the company, I’d really prefer it if you passed them on to me. I think it’s best to have just one spokesperson for the group otherwise things can get very complicated.’

  ‘So much for the people’s theatre company,’ George Hickey murmured in a low voice to Mary Fuller.

  Mary smiled at him. ‘Did you really expect anything different, George?’ she asked. ‘I certainly didn’t. I’m just grateful to have the chance to do this.’

  ‘Oh I agree,’ George replied hastily. ‘Perhaps we should go for a drink, Mary. It must be all of six years since we last met, and if my memory serves me correctly you and I could probably be quite useful to each other during this tour.’

  Mary nodded in agreement and the two older actors disappeared out of the door. Eventually everyone except for Christopher, Rebecca, Esther and Nicholas had gone. Esther had been expecting to leave with Rebecca, but Nicholas drew her to one side and explained that Rebecca and Christopher were an item. ‘I thought you knew,’ he said. ‘I should think everyone else here does.’

  ‘I’m afraid I don’t know very much about Christopher at all,’ confessed Esther. ‘I know about his acting, of course, but not his private life.’

  ‘I suppose you’ve been pretty caught up in your own over the past few weeks,’ Nicholas replied tactlessly.

  Esther had the feeling that she wasn’t going to like Nicholas Maxwell very much but, nevertheless, she smiled sweetly at him. ‘It’s all been pretty traumatic,’ she confessed. ‘The important thing now is to put it behind me and get on with my career. That’s why this is such a great opportunity.’

  ‘I’m hoping it’ll give me some street cred with all those arty directors who are stuck up their own arses,’ said Nicholas. ‘They seem to think that unless you talk in an old-style BBC voice, and come from a good background – whatever that may be – you can’t be a classical actor. They only have to look at me and they start talking EastEnders. It’s not fair. Why can’t I be just as good as Christopher?’

  ‘No reason at all,’ said Esther.

  Nicholas accompanied her as far as the tube station and there they parted. As she travelled back to her house, Esther allowed herself a small smile. Somehow, she didn’t think that Nicholas Maxwell’s Henry V would have quite the same impact as Christopher Wheldon’s, not unless he made some attempt to improve his vowels and his voice projection.

  Despite that, she felt that the day had gone well and at last she was doing what she’d trained to do – being a proper actress. For the first time in months she was looking forward to going to work the next day. Also, she realised that the entire time she’d been with the company she had only thought about Marcus once. That was such a huge improvement it was barely believable. It’s cheaper than therapy, she thought to herself as she got off at her stop.

  Once she got home she prepared a light meal, had a shower, went to bed and was asleep within fifteen minutes.

  Chapter Three

  It was during the following morning, just after Esther had read the role of Carol in the first act, when she suddenly decided she was going to seduce Christopher Wheldon. Originally, it had seemed to her that simply by joining his company and becoming well known as an actress she would be getting her revenge on Marcus. However, after watching Christopher and the way all the girls in the cast were clearly fascinated by him, she decided it would be even more of a triumph for her if she were able to supplant Rebecca in his affections.

  The problem was, it was Damon Dowden who really attracted her. There was something fascinating about him, something dark and forbidding, that made her want to learn what he was like in bed as well as an actor. Despite this, she decided it was Christopher she would pursue. In any case, Damon didn’t seem in the least bit interested in Esther. On the whole he wasn’t interested in anyone, but as the day wore on she did notice him exchanging a few comments and even laughing once with Ellie Ford.

  To Esther’s way of thinking this was not a point in Damon’s favour. Ellie, although baby-faced in appearance, was clearly a very ambitious and sexually voracious young lady. Her light-brown urchin haircut and her wide round-eyed expression were effective with men but, whenever she was talking to any of the other girls, her face would change and it was then that the other side of her would show through.

  Time and the Conways was a good play, but Esther thought it would be a difficult one to pull off successfully. Set in 1919, shortly after the end of the First World War, the middle-class Conway family epitomise everything that was solid about their kind at that time. In both Acts I and III the scene is consistent but, in the middle act, Kay, one of the Conway daughters, seems to have a vision about the future of her very English family. It is this vision that makes the play so special. If Kay’s apparent dream is indeed to become true then nothing the audience sees in the first and last acts is of any true and lasting importance. Values will change, and the young people’s lives will be blighted by tragedy and disastrous love affairs or marriages. The problem in Esther’s mind was whether or not a modern-day audience would accept the concept of this vision.

  When she voiced this fear to Christopher he brushed it to one side. ‘A well-written play, acted proficiently, can’t fail,’ he assured her with one of his most attractive smiles. ‘I think that audiences today want the reassurance that this play can give them. They want to be reminded of a time when there were standards and morals because, despite our so-called liberal age, most people are looking for boundaries, you know. It makes them feel safe.’

  Esther certainly wasn’t going to argue with him; she just hoped that he was right. Although most of the cast read several of the roles, Damon Dowden read only one. That was the role of the outsider, Ernest Beevers. In the first and third acts Ernest is an insignificant outsider not even considered worthy of the hand of the pretty and popular Hazel Conway. However, in the middle act, during the vision, when he is married to Hazel, his character changes entirely.

  In the morning Damon read Ernest as portrayed in Acts I and III. In the afternoon he read the very different Ernest as portrayed in Act II, and Esther sensed that the entire company was startled by the powerful display he gave. Now she wished fervently that she’d been to see his Iago. She also understood exactly why Christopher Wheldon wanted Damon in the company. He would provide a marvellous contrast for Christopher, who was clearly – despite his protestation of uncertainty – going to play the rakish Robin. The contrast between the fair-haired, lively, anything-for-fun Robin and the dour, mercenary Ernest Beevers, portrayed by the dark and sinister Damon, would be wonderful.

  It was a tiring day because, quite apart from reading for various roles in this play, all of the company performed small pieces from some of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. Esther was somewhat amused to see that Nicholas was given a role in Macbeth – but only as Banquo. She could tell that he was annoyed by this, but if he had seriously thought that Christopher was going to let anyone but himself play the title role then he had to be quite mad. She only hoped that Nicholas managed to keep his resentment under control during the forthcoming tour, especially since she couldn’t quite make out what part, if any, he was going to be given in Time and the Conways. It seemed most likely to her that he would finish up as an understudy and that Banquo was simply a consolation prize – and not a very good one at that.

  During the lunch break, they all went their separate ways. Esther found herself with Rosie, Noel and Michael at a nearby pub. Rosie was good fun to be with; she had an excellent sense of humour and so far had been unfailingly cheerful. Noel and Michael made it obvious they were both attracted to her and, while Rosie clearly relished their attention, this did not stop her from in
cluding Esther in their conversation.

  ‘How are you coping with all the publicity you’ve been getting lately?’ Noel asked Esther when Michael was at the bar ordering a round of drinks.

  ‘It was pretty ghastly at first,’ confessed Esther. ‘Actually, I think some of the attention’s beginning to drift away now and I feel much better in myself simply because I’m involved in this project. There’s nothing like work to take your mind off your personal troubles.’

  ‘It must be difficult, though,’ sympathised Noel. ‘I make a point of never getting heavily involved with anyone. Michael and I are agreed on that. We don’t think that it’s possible to have a settled relationship with anyone in this profession. Let’s be honest, there are far too many temptations along the way. Isn’t that right, Rosie?’ As he spoke he squeezed Rosie’s right knee and she giggled.

  When Michael returned from the bar he sat down between the two girls. One of his arms rested along the back of Rosie’s chair and she smiled happily, turning her head from one man to the other.

  ‘We share a flat near here,’ said Michael to Esther. ‘If you ever want to come back for a coffee one evening we’d be delighted, wouldn’t we, Noel?’

  ‘We certainly would,’ Noel agreed enthusiastically.

  ‘We like to share everything,’ continued Michael. As he spoke he glanced at Rosie and then his eyes met his friend’s over the top of her head. It was then that Esther realised exactly what he meant, and she wondered if Rosie realised too. If she did it clearly didn’t bother her. By the time they returned to the rehearsal room, Rosie was walking with her arms linked with both men.

  Esther was secretly fascinated by the thought of two men sharing one woman. She wondered what it would be like to have two men attending to her, doing all the things she liked best at the same time. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine being able to take part in such a scenario but the idea was fascinating. She wondered if Rosie would tell her about it if she were to make up a threesome with them.

  While Esther and her group had been at the pub, Christopher and Rebecca had taken Theresa out to a nearby cafe. Christopher had mentioned to Rebecca the previous evening that he found Theresa ‘rather fascinating’. Her mass of red curly hair, and the pencil-slim figure combined with exceptionally large breasts, had attracted his attention from the moment she had first auditioned. Occasionally, he and Rebecca had been joined by a second girl during one of their sex sessions and it had always proved very successful. Rebecca had quickly picked up on his hint and was now going out of her way to be friendly with Theresa.

  Theresa, who desperately wanted to play the part of Madge – the one Conway girl who was not in any way a sex symbol – was flattered by the attention of the great Christopher Wheldon. She knew that he and Rebecca were an item and thought that Rebecca’s interest in her must be based on the fact that Christopher was impressed by her acting.

  ‘You know, Theresa,’ said Christopher as they ate toasted sandwiches and drank cappuccino, ‘there’s a great deal more to you than meets the eye.’

  Theresa smiled shyly at him. ‘That’s very kind of you,’ she said. ‘I feel that I’ve been rather typecast in the past few months. If you’re built like I am then I suppose it’s only natural, which is why I’d really like to play Madge. I mean, no one can say Madge is glamorous; she doesn’t even get a man, does she? But the thing is, would the audience believe in me playing a part like that?’

  ‘Well,’ said Christopher slowly, ‘I think they might, but you’d have to put in a lot of hard work. The point is really, exactly how dedicated are you, Theresa?’

  ‘I’m a hundred per cent dedicated,’ Theresa said indignantly. ‘I’d do absolutely anything to get the part of Madge.’

  ‘Would you now?’ murmured Rebecca. She glanced across the table at Christopher and he nodded slightly.

  ‘You know,’ he said to Theresa, ‘I think that if you had some extra tuition, say from me, then I could almost certainly promise you the part of Madge.’

  ‘Extra tuition?’ asked Theresa in surprise. She was no fool, and knew perfectly well what that usually meant in the theatre, but this time she couldn’t believe she was hearing right. After all, Christopher lived with Rebecca and Rebecca was sitting there with them while he talked about extra tuition.

  ‘That’s right,’ said Rebecca. Reaching out, Rebecca caught hold of a strand of Theresa’s hair and she idly played with it. ‘You’ve got really beautiful hair,’ she said. ‘Christopher’s got a thing about red hair, haven’t you, Chris?’

  ‘I don’t know if it’s the hair,’ confessed Christopher. ‘Perhaps it’s the character of people with red hair that really fascinates me.’

  Theresa felt her face going hot. There was no doubt that the pair of them were toying with her, and there was a definite feeling of sexual tension in the air. At first she felt slightly uncomfortable as Rebecca touched her hair, but when she released it she felt a momentary pang of loss.

  ‘If you did have extra rehearsals,’ said Rebecca at last, ‘then I’d be there too. I’d be putting the woman’s point of view, as it were.’

  Then, Theresa understood what was being suggested. Like all the girls in the company, she was besotted with Christopher. She’d have given almost anything to have slept with him just once. What she hadn’t bargained on was sharing him with Rebecca. Now that the idea had been put forward, though, she couldn’t help but feel excited. She realised that the pair of them were waiting for an answer, and as she hesitated she felt Christopher’s leg rub against hers beneath the table. He was watching her intently and she shivered slightly with a mixture of desire and apprehension.

  ‘I think it sounds a super idea,’ she said at last.

  With a sigh Christopher leant back in his chair, a smile of contentment on his face. Rebecca looked equally pleased. She looked like someone who knew she had played her part well.

  Rebecca glanced at her watch and the three of them suddenly realised that it was time they were back at the rehearsal room. ‘Come on, Chris, we’re going to be late,’ Rebecca said.

  ‘You go on ahead,’ Christopher said lightly.

  After Rebecca had left the café, Chris helped Theresa into her coat and then, putting an arm round her waist, squeezed her lightly. ‘I think you’re going to be an excellent Madge,’ he said reassuringly. ‘As for the extra tuition, well, that’s going to be a total delight.’

  It was nearly seven in the evening before they were all finally told what parts they were to play in Time and the Conways. Everyone sat around the room trying hard to look casual but inside Esther knew that each of them would – like her – be feeling strung-up and anxious. If you’d set your heart on a part – and after her reading she had set her heart on playing Hazel – then it was horrible if you failed to get it. Normally this failure was never witnessed by anyone else but, in this case, the entire company would know full well whether or not each person was happy with the role they’d been given. Of course there would be false commiserations, or even false congratulations, but it wasn’t a comfortable situation to be in.

  It did cross Esther’s mind that perhaps Christopher should have taken them to one side individually as he told them what parts he’d chosen for them, but clearly this was another part of his ensemble attitude. No one was to be kept in the dark; there were to be no secrets. Not that that were entirely true; there would be plenty of secrets and Esther thought that most of them would centre around personal relationships within the company. However, the facade of openness was to continue.

  ‘Here we go then,’ Christopher said cheerfully. ‘Quite a few of these parts have been cast against type. I think that this makes for a far more exciting production. Naturally, I haven’t gone to ridiculous extremes. I’m sure none of you will be surprised to hear that Mary is playing Mrs Conway. It would be rather difficult for any of you girls to play her, particularly since she’s in her late fifties in the middle act. There will be some other surprises, though, but I hope that none o
f you will be too disappointed and some of you should be very excited. I certainly am.’

  ‘I wish he’d stop talking and just get on with it,’ muttered Rosie, who was sitting next to Esther. Esther nodded in agreement.

  ‘The part of Kay,’ said Christopher, smiling round at them all, ‘is going to be played by …’ He paused for a moment and Rebecca sat upright, looking keen and eager. ‘Esther,’ he concluded.

  Esther didn’t dare look at Rebecca. She knew only too well how the other girl must be feeling and couldn’t understand why she’d been given the role. Certainly it would stretch her to her limits, but she had the dreadful feeling that she might fail. She knew, as most actors and actresses do know, that the role of Hazel, the blonde beauty with the soft centre, had suited her down to the ground. Intelligent, sensible Kay, with her visions and her analytical approach to life, was simply not Esther.

  ‘Hazel,’ continued Christopher, apparently oblivious to the feelings of the people around him, ‘will be played by Rebecca.’ Again, Esther kept her eyes fixed firmly on the ground but she could hear some whispers among the group and knew that everyone was as puzzled as she was by his casting.

  By this time Christopher was looking quite pleased with himself. He’d clearly intended to make an impact and had succeeded. He carried on casting the play and Esther was amused to find that Ellie was to play the impulsive, excitable sixteen-year-old, Carol. It was true that with her young appearance she was probably the best person for the part but her character was another matter. Rosie was to play Hazel’s friend, Joan – a pretty but rather foolish girl. Again, this piece of casting was not illogical. However, when it came to Madge – a girl who was meant to have been to Girton College, was brisk, bookish, self-confident and not very pretty with the air of a schoolmistress about her – there was a collective intake of breath when Christopher announced that Theresa was to play the part.

  ‘Well, I have to say,’ said Damon in a low voice to Ellie who was sitting on the other side of Esther, ‘she’s not at all like any schoolmistress I’ve ever seen depicted in the early twentieth century. I wonder how he intends to flatten her bust.’ Ellie snorted with laughter and quickly changed it into a cough when Christopher glanced her way.