1st Performance

1st PERFORMANCE by Frances Macaulay Forde

BACKSTAGE: dank, dusty, sweat-smells in the soft blue light where rope, sandbags and
tape-marks glow among scene-stays, props on the table in regimental order, marked ready for ACT 1, 2 or 3.

Black words on a large and prominent white sign yell ‘SILENCE PLEASE DURING PERFORMANCE’.

Soft sneakers are pressed gently and carefully one in front of each other by black-clothed
beings passing more ‘SILENCE’ signs in corridors, their movements slow with deliberate, practised performance-care.

The audience clapping starts strong then dies slowly to a murmur of swishing material mixed with the sound of audience movement as the CURTAINS CLOSE for ACT 1.

Audrey rushes OFF STAGE totally unmindful of others and backstage etiquette,
clattering in impossibly high heels, chattering far-too-loudly to her waiting beau, declaring egotistic excitement for her first performance.

The way too tense STAGE MAN-in-charge spins, thrusts his face forward and sharply hits two fingers to his mouth signalling ‘SILENCE!’ but is totally ignored.

His frustrated grab is blind in the once-again dimed light ready for ACT 2, but his hand finally wraps around the wooden grip of a ‘QUIET’ sign made out of a table tennis bat. He can’t stop that sign threateningly hitting against his thigh while he determinedly but quickly follows Audrey down the short steep stairs.

A hushed, clumsy and annoyed stumble down the packed corridor to the dressing room reveals a locked door but he can’t knock – it would be too loud.

The stoic STAGE MAN thumb-scratches that thigh in thought, finally telling himself to
just reign in and wait for the door to open, with a strong rebuke ready.

Click (unlock) the door creaks open slowly. STAGE MAN seizes his chance and forces the sign through the crack with a whispered and restrained plea for “QUIET” (please).

“Job done,” he races back upstairs with heart pumping but missed the bloody CURTAIN OPEN for ACT 2. “Damn!”

Unfortunately, all through ACT 2 he can hear Audrey blithely entertaining her beau downstairs, celebrating her debut in the change rooms with popping champagne and
not so muffled salacious giggles. 

He’s determined not to miss the CURTAIN CLOSE for ACT 2, so prays for restraint.

INTERVAL: At last! Mercifully all’s comparatively quiet in the dressing rooms. STAGE
MAN takes a breath trying not to image what’s going on in the lull, before the "PLACES PLEASE" bell rings for the audience to find their seats read for ACT 3.

There’s a flurry of sounds and Shhhh-ing as many BACKSTAGE move to find their places in the dim light of the WINGS, STAGE LEFT & STAGE RIGHT ready for their final act.

Above it all heels approach uncaring, echoing through dimly lit corridors and wooden stairs.

As STAGE MAN raises his hand in protest, the curtain-puller misreads his signal and CURTAINS OPEN for ACT 3 early before the ACTORS are on their spots.

Meanwhile Audrey bumps around in the wings. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk up then down 1, 2, 3 steps to STAGE LEFT. She stops herself stepping on the stage as the lights
hit her. Giggle, stumble, giggle... “Hic – Oh sorry, Love – Hic...”

Frustration bites hard as STAGE MAN has finally and irreversibly had enough.

Mouth wide open he screams: “QUIET!”

CURTAINS CLOSE (swish) for ACT 3 (prematurely) to the echo of a deathly
scream... then ‘SILENCE’.

THE END