Act Three
Act
Three Scene Two
Sub
Scene One
The
moment before the curtain pulled
The
hall recently was furnished with gay shades in its curtain were draped in the
gaudy dark shades, while the flower vases were treated with white lilac, and
the seatings were that of wooden benches lined up like in the House gathering.
The platform was converted into a stage with the film of the curtain at the for
and the backdrops were of a castle similar to Elsinore.
“What
a drab!’ The head servant overseeing the setup had complained. “Why we just had
a wedding and now.. what a tragedy to be played. What is the play to offer? A
ghostly apparition to view perhaps.”
“I
know not what, perhaps Romeo and Juliet with the Prince himself in madness.”
Another servant replied.
“Hush
your words, Alfred, or you may feed to the bats or into the dung heap there.”
The Head Servant snapped at the other. “It's not a joking scene now with the
word ‘madness’. He may lay the Joker’s antics, but he is not suited here.
Asylum will be ideal for him. So may the ghost do they stay there.”
“You
quiver at madness yet you heeded to call an asylum suits him. Are you mad too?”
The servant retorted. “Calling the kettle black indeed.”
It
was then a bat flew past from the dark corner, lost in its trail, blindness not
aided by the light, but uses its sonar to find an exit back to the cave.
“Confounding
to have a bat in the day. Open the windows, lest the demon loses its way once
more and frighten our guests.” The Head Servant then glared at the servant.
“Did
you feed crumbs again for the birds? I think you did for I found seeds on the
porch.”
“I
did not. I may have some fruits but never thought I will bring in bats.” The
servant admitted.
“Pray
to tell me why fruits? You expect the King’s ghost to return for its wine.” The
Head Servant snapped once more.
“You
said the play may be for the ghost tonight.” The servant quipped out.
“Nephew
of mine, it was bloodline that kept you employed but the rage of the blood may
see thou to wash the steamers in the outside soon.” It was akin to having to tend
the horses in the stables some years ago.
“I
will leave for the kitchen. Hot as Hell but safer than your wrath of Hell.” The
servant left the Hall. Those words of the two servants were not missed by
Hamlet who was behind the pillar and facing the Lenten Players.
“Your
play is nigh here today. The rehearsals are done, and we will be the audience.”
Hamlet addressed the three players that were the characters that play...
“Speak
the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue;
but if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as lief the town-crier
spoke my lines.” Hamlet had many times told the other actors supporting his
role not to overplay their character.
“It
must be plain and convincing, not drab like a strumpet trying to please and yet
delay the release,” Hamlet stressed. “Nor do not saw the air too much with your
hand, thus, but use all gently; for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as
I may say, the whirlwind of your passion, you must acquire and beget a
temperance that may give it smoothness.”
“The
strumpet gets the release…. Squirting loud from the past accumulated.” One of
the players laughed and was hushed by the Main Player.
“He
may always be out of line.” The Main Player apologizes to Hamlet. “But he will
read his lines well tonight.
“Hum…”
Hamlet displayed his disapproval then but felt that actors have times need to
release their antics or they will be drawn to the other end of the feelings.
“It
offends me to the soul to hear a robustious, periwig-pated fellow tear a
passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings,
who for the most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and
noise. I would have such a fellow whipped for overdoing Termagant; she is a
fierce siren to contend with in her rage.”
It out-Herods Herod. Pray you, avoid it.”
Hamlet cautioned the players.
“Was
it not that Herod ordered the death of all male babies in an attempt to Jesus?
Curse his soul for if that was the deed, we may still be dead unborn.”
“Hush!”
The Main Player pulled at the errant player whose mouth lent voice to it far
too often.
“Pray
that my players,” Hamlet adds. “We are to draw the audience to act for us;
encore or distaste, it's your draw of the night.”
“Does
not the …”
“Shut
up, Costello.” The Main Player was agitated. “Should I call Albert to play
instead?”
Abbot
and Costello were a pair who constantly obstinate with each other, yet they
remained pals.
“Yes,
for most plays, but for this play I want us to see the audience for theirs. I
need to draw on their real emotions, and not the played-up that idolizes the
player there. I want their script to be read.”
“A
wonderment for me as I have never thought of that.” The Main Player was
impressed.
“As
playwrights adapt the other script, to give it a new look to the original, and
roused the listener to look at it not from the original but the new
perspective. A new play altogether.”
“Encore!”
The Main Player roared.
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