High C

High C

FX Scene 1 - Int Evening- The Concert Hall

THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE, SHOUTS OF

BRAVO, FOLLOWING THE PREVIOUS SINGER
MIKE ( OFFSTAGE ) : " She's going to be a hard act

to follow. " THE APPLAUSE CONTINUES

1 ANNOUNCER Thank you . Thank you. Ladies and

gentlemen. Thank you. It's not over until the last lady

sings. So, last, certainly not least, from Leeds, UK,

please welcome, soprano Mirabelle Thornton.

Mirabelle.

2 MIKE ( OFFSTAGE ) Go Girl, Go.

POLITE APPLAUSE WELCOMES MIRABELLE

ONTO STAGE. THE TIME BEFORE SHE STARTS

TO SING GOES ON TOO LONG. BEGINNING OF

SIGNS OF RESTLESNESS FROM THE AUDIENCE.

MIKE, IN THE WINGS, IS MENTALLY WILLING

HER ON.

Sing, girl, sing, sing like you've never sung before.

THE AUDIENCE THREATENS TO BECOME MORE

RESTLESS FOR ANOTHER FRACTION OF A

SECOND. THEN THE HALL IS SUDDENLY

FILLED WITH MAGIC AS MIRABELLE SINGS

VISSI D'ARTE.

AT THE END, THERE IS ANOTHER PAUSE. THEN

THE SHOUTS BEGIN TO RING OUT AND

BUILD: Bravo, bravo...

MIKE, STILL OFFSTAGE

A star is born.

FADE APPLAUSE TO SILENCE FOR WINNER'S

PRESENTATION

3 PRESENTER ( COMING TO THE END OF A POMPOUS

PREAMBLE TO THE PRESENTATION )

Of course I always remember that night in Berlin, or

was it Montreux, Karajan saying to me, dear boy,

music is of course a great gift to us all, and the human

voice, will live forever as...

4 VOICE FROM THE AUDIENCE
Your voice will go on forever!

5 PRESENTER ( TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL, EVENTUALLY

OVERWHELMED IN THE TUMULT )

The human voice....

6 THE CROWD Mirabelle, Mirabelle, Mirabelle...

( AMIDST THE RAPTUROUS RECEPTION AS

MIRABELLE REAPPEARS, THE ANNOUNCER

CAN JUST BE HEARD )

7 ANNOUNCER The singer of the year, Mirabelle Thorton.

8 THE CROWD Mirabelle, Mirabelle...speech, speech

9 ANNOUNCER I'm not sure if Miss Thornton will be braving the
stage

again this evening, nowadays young singers need to

protect their image as much as their voice...

(APPLAUSE REACHES CRESCENDO )

but, yes, here she is...the most enormous bouquet of red

roses has been thrust into her arms...

10 MIRABELLE
(BEGINS HESITANTLY BUT GROWS IN

CONFIDENCE )

You are, you are most kind, your kindness means so

much to me. It has been a long road to this night, the

greatest night of my life. I want to thank you all, with

all my heart. There are so many people to thank.

Most of all I would like to thank, ( SUDDENLY

FORTHRIGHT ) no, most of all I am here before you,

an artist alone, before her audience. I love you all.

Scene 2 Int - Morning - In Mirabelle's hotel suite

The day after she has won the competition.

1 MIKE A mention might have been nice.

2 MIRABELLE Come on, Mike, what do you want, a full Halle Berry

blub? " I'd like to thank God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary,

Uncle Frank? " You know who you are.

3 MIKE Do you know who you are, Mirabelle?

It would have been nice, a fitting moment.

4 MIRABELLE I hear you, I've told you. I couldn't hear myself
think.

The heat, the noise, the... the moment. I forgot to

mention you. There will be other times.

5 MIKE Other times when you forget to mention me?

6 MIRABELLE Here we are Mike, together, the morning after, the

Savoy hotel, the reviews, yes, look at these reviews!

The Observer: " a young Callas", The Telegraph,

" star burst ", The Times: "new singing genius is a star

alone"

7 MIKE The artist alone. Where the hell did that come from?

8 MIRABELLE It was the greatest moment of my life. I don't regret

what I said or didn't say. I've explained. You know how

far we've come together. Do you want me to say I owe

you something ? Is that what this is about?

9 MIKE We don't owe each other anything. We - you - me - us

are a partnership. Today is today, yesterday...

10 MIRABELLE (SING OPERATICALLY) ...yesterday

11 MIKE Yesterday is a lifetime away. We both know that now.

I know how things are now, will be, and I'm happy with

That. Totally.

12 MIRABELLE Totally.

13 MIKE Let's make a promise, us , now, this morning, the

morning after, the morning before. I promise I will

always be there for you. Whatever, wherever. Now you.

Now you, Mirabelle.

14 MIRABELLE Mike, look....

(PHONE RINGS. MIRABELLE ON PHONE. VERY

PROFESSIONAL.)

Yes, yes, of course. How about now? No, that's no

problem. I'm in the Riverside suite.

(BACK TO MIKE)

Mike, we... you....you have to go now.

Scene 3 - Int - Late morning the same day.

In Mirabelle's suite, London.

1 PORTIA (AIR KISSING ) Darling, darling, my darling

Mirabelle.

Portia is my name. Fame is the game. Thank you

for seeing me on this of all mornings. I'm going to say

this to you once: I'm going to make you a star.

2 MIRABELLE I didn't believe people actually said that!

3 PORTIA It's true. You will be a star. Think Callas, think
Garrett,

think... Mirabelle, think big. I don't do corny, I don't

do hype. I do reality. You do stardom.

4 MIRABELLE I do singing. I don't know if I believe you, I don't
know

if I believe this morning. It's all so unreal.

5 PORTIA No darling, it is so real. Yesterday was unreal. This is

your world now. It's a new world for you.

6 MIRABELLE Sorry, Miss...

7 PORTIA Miss De Angelo. Portia.

8 MIRABELLE I don't mean to be...

9 PORTIA OK, OK, I know how I come across to you. You want

...need bona fides. Watch me.

( DIALS ON HER MOBILE PHONE )

Rudy? Yeah Rudy, Portia. Yeah, yeah, you're in the

Apple. I'm in the smoke. Business. Name. Mirabelle.

( PROMPT TO MIRABELLE )

10 MIRABELLE Thornton

11 PORTIA Mirabelle Thornton. Yeah, I know, Thornton. I

guarantee you no one in the Apple will ever say Who

again. This is sensational. Direct line down from Callas.

For starters - lunchtime recital, Met, a s a p. Are we in

or are we in? Your call, Rudy.

(CONTINUING ON PHONE )

Yeah, Rudy.....yeah, that's what I

said......No, Rudy, no you can't ring me back. It's now

or never time, honey. Or do you wannabe like

whatisname who turned down The Beatles.

Right. Good boy Rudy. The Met it is. You always were

bright. You've done the right thing.

My people will call your people about the dotted line

stuff.

( OFF THE PHONE )

12 MIRABELLE I hate to eavesdrop but have you just done what I
think

what you've done?

13 PORTIA Yes. And no. It's the Met. New York Met...Museum

...of art. Lunchtime recital. It's the way they all start.

The designated road.

14 MIRABELLE I think Bona Fides have been established.

15 PORTIA Good girl

( ECHO OF MIKE'S " GOOD GIRL " )

16 MIRABELE New York.

17 PORTIA New York. You are going to be sooo big.

Your new life starts ....

18 MIRABELLE ....now.

19 PORTIA I'll be in touch; flights, dress, press, percentages.

Oh and yeah babe, the guy, lose the loser.

Scene 4 - Interior - Evening, a few days later. Soho

Bar

1 CHAZ You sure you're not making a big deal out of nothing?

She did ask you to go with her.

2 MIKE I told you, Chaz. She's planning to drop me.

3 CHAZ ( TO BAR WOMAN )

Bottle of Becks for me please; pint of paranoia

for my mate. Thanks, love.

( TURNING BACK TO MIKE )

Look, Mike, we go back a long way. Trust me. Go to

New York. Michelle, I mean , Mirabelle, is a strong

girl. But she needs you. Asking you to go is her way of

saying that. Saying some parts of her life will go on.

Even now.

4 MIKE I'm not going.

5 CHAZ You know we men have to move on. You're sulking ...

6 MIKE Sulking!

7 CHAZ You're sulking because Mirabelle won, which means

you came second. All you can think about is

competition. Look at us. We're old friends, we work on

the same newspaper.

8 MIKE We are both journalists, same newspaper, but different

jobs. You are the music critic, I'm the book reviewer.

I don't compete with you, over journalism, over

women, whatever. We complement each other.

9 CHAZ Precisely my point, Mike. Mirabelle's success:

You need to...accommodate it. Be up for it, up to it.

You can be winners together, you loser.

10 MIKE You always were a talker, Chaz.

Talking is what you do. You've talked me into it.

I'll go to New York. I'll surprise her after her big gig at

the Met. I'll make her need me.

What time is it in New York now? I have an important

phone call to make.

Scene 5 - Interior Late at night - a rehearsal room in

New York. Mirabelle is rehearsing an aria from

Bellini's Norma.

1 CONCERT MASTER
No, no, no, no, you must hold the note like this

(DEMONSTRATES ) Again. ( MIRABELLE SINGS,

CONCERT MASTER TALKS HER THROUGH IT.

MIRABELLE MAKES THE SAME MISTAKE

AGAIN ) Again!

2 MIRABELLE Again! ( TO HERSELF, BECOMING EXHAUSTED )

Doesn't she ever say anything else? Wonder what Mike

is doing right now. In Soho with Chaz no doubt.

Almost wish I was too. Almost.

3 CONCERT MASTER
Again. Please.

( MIRABELLE SINGS AGAIN, GETS IT RIGHT

THIS TIME )

Ah, you are becoming a true professional.

That will be all for this evening.

4 MIRABELLE God, I could use a drink.

5 CONCERT MASTER
We will meet again at 6. A.M.

6 PORTIA My little darling! The limo awaits. At the hotel the

choice of drink is yours. Evian, Badoit, Perrier...you

shall have. Auntie Portia is here for you.

Tomorrow is the dress rehearsal. I am preparing you for

the new life in front of you. Tonight, my dear,

bed....alone. The price of artistry.

Scene 6 - Interior - Late at night in Mirabelle's hotel,

New York Mirabelle on phone to Mike in London.

Mike is still in the bar with Chaz. When Mirabelle

speaks we can hear the police sirens and street sounds

of New York, when Mike speaks we can hear London

taxi drivers and other London voices and sounds in the

background.

1 MIKE New York, New York it's a hellavu town...

2 MIRABELLE Yes, I'm drinking too, Mike - and I expect Chaz is

behind all this too somewhere.

3 MIKE You always were destined for the high life,

Mirabelle. I can just see you now, perhaps

overlooking the Empire State, the Statue of

Liberty, the clink of ice cubes, that third

martini...

4 MIRABELLE ...looking on to the back of the United

Parcel depot, my third Evian, the six a.m. call

looming. I do miss you Mike.

5 MIKE Ah, the girls always come round in the end.

Glamour may mo, momentary.... ( CAN'T

MAKE THE WORD ) ...sometimes turn their

heads, but they always want old Mikey in the

end.

6 MIRABELLE God, how much have you had Mike?

Are you and Chaz on another of your Soho

benders? I miss those evenings now. Me, you, at home,

maybe a concert at the Royal Festival Hall. A drink or

five on a Friday night, slumming it on Old Compton

Street.

Me, you, Chaz. Sometimes, when the concert master

shouts at me again I wish I'd been the runner up.

Or it was you who won the Pulitzer, it was you in New

York, everything the other way round.

Sometimes. So what exactly are you up to my

rumbustious also ran?

7 MIKE You know us journalists types. Just putting the

last edition to bed.

8 MIRABELLE I think you said you're just putting the paper to

bed. I've had enough of this Evian stuff. I'm

going to hit the Badoit.

9 MIKE Now, now, Uncle Mike says don't go mixing

your drinks. Time for bed, my... my

nightingale. You have the high life, I mean the

high notes to hit, I've got a long journey ahead

of me.

10 MIRABELLE What journey? Mike. Start making sense. You

mean you'll be here for the performance? Mike.

( PHONE CONTACT IS LOST, SOUNDS OF

THE NEW YORK NIGHT FADE DOWN AND FADE

UP INTO THE BUZZ OF THE AUDIENCE IN THE

MET AWAITING THE BEGINNING OR

MIRABELLE'S RECITAL )

Scene 7 - Interior - The Met concert room. - Evening

( THE CONCERT IS CLOSING WITH

MIRABELLE'S SIGNATURE PIECE VISSI D'ARTE

THE AUDIENCE IS RAPT. THERE IS A

MOMENTARY PAUSE AT THE END BEFORE THE

BRAVOS RING OUT. IT IS A GREAT TRIUMPH.

MIRABELLE ENTERS HER DRESSING ROOM

WITH THE APPLAUSE STILL RINGING OUT IN

THE BACKGROUND. SHE IS HUGGED BY

PORTIA. )

1 PORTIA Mirabelle, darling, darling, darling. We - I mean -

you've done it. A true star. New York, the world is at

your feet. Champagne.

2 MIRABELLE I need a drink - a real drink. What a night. It's
beyond

belief. Let me get my breath.

3 PORTIA Darling, you are going to be so big. They love you

Listen ( THE APPLAUSE CONTINUES )

4 MIRABELLE I'm not going out there again. I've given my all
already.

5 PORTIA Yes, you have the instincts of a star. Always keep them

wanting more. We' ll go far. To the heights. ( POP OF

CORK, CLINK OF CHAMPAGNE CLASSES, HUGS

MIRABELLE AGAIN ) Oh my darling, where are my

manners.

Here is someone you simply must meet. Your life will

really be never the same again. Allow me to introduce

Count Alfons de Monceau.

6 COUNT ( KISSES MIRABELLE' S HAND ) Mademoiselle.

Count Alfons de Monceau at your service, eternally.

Allow me to congratulate you most sincerely on your

beautiful voice, your beautiful performance, your

beauty itself.

7 MIRABELLE ( THE COUNT'S CHARM WORKS ON HER )

Count. Thank you. I don't know what to say.

8 COUNT My dear Mirabelle - if I may presume to be so

familiar - you do not have to say anything, the

eloquence of your performance still ringing so sweetly

in my ears. From now on, all my resources are at your

disposition. Come, I will make you a star.

9 MIRABELLE You too.

10 COUNT Forgive me, my dear?

11 MIRABELLE (IMITATES PORTIA ) I will make you a star.

What is a girl to do?

12 PORTIA Dinner. Let us away to the Plaza. Count, I will allow

you and Mirabelle a few moments together. I will await

you both in the limo.

13 MIRABELLE Portia!

14 PORTIA Nonsense girl. You are a star now. The count is a

worthy consort for you. You must move in the right

circles on and off the stage. The right conductors, the

right concertmasters, the right counts. We're going to

make you a star. You're going to make an exit. I'll

await you both in the limo.

( PORTIA LEAVES )

15 ALFONS My dear Mirabelle. Allow me again to congratulate you

on your triumph.

(AS HE EMBRACES MIRABELLE THERE IS A

COMMOTION OUTSIDE THE DRESSING ROOM.

SECURITY GUARDS EVIDENTLY FAILING TO

RESTRAIN SOMEONE, DOOR BURSTS OPEN )

16 MIRABELLE Mike! Mike.

17 MIKE Mirabelle. Mirabelle.

18 MIRABELLE Mike. Please. Mike. Allow me, allow me to

introduce Count Alfons de Monceau.

19 MIKE Yeah and I'm George Orwell. Count me out! The

artist alone!

(DOOR SLAMS AS MIKE LEAVES )

20 MIRABELLE Mike!

21 COUNT The artist alone? Who was that? A mere admirer? All

very well at arm's length. I shall discuss security with

the director.Yes, perhaps the true artist is

alone.

I can appreciate that. But not this evening. The evening

of your great triumph. Allow me, mademoiselle.

(HE ESCORTS MIRABELLE OUT OF THE

DRESSING ROOM, THROUGH THE CROWD OF

WELL -WISHERS, FANS, SECURITY,

PHOTOGRAPHERS ONTO THE STREET

INTO THE LIMO AND THEY DRIVE OFF TO THE

PLAZA. )

Scene 8 - The Newspaper Office, London. Interior

Morning- Chaz leafing through the US papers

1 CHAZ What have we here ? New York Times: " hyperbole

and journalism rarely make good bedfellows. "

Oh please, spare us the clich?s. " However on this

occasion hyperbole would be understatement. "

Better. I could almost have written that myself.

" Mirabelle Thornton is a sensation. Her artistry,

poise and command are uncanny in one so young,

we can only admire her gifts. "

Financial Times New York edition. " Mirabelle

Thornton can without hyperbole, " God, put that

thesaurus down pleeease, " be mentioned in the same

breath, the same effortless phrase as Callas. "

New York Daily News. " New York Super Agent Portia

De Angelo announces world concert tour for singing

sensation Mirabelle Thornton. Kill your mother for a

ticket. "

I wonder if the Brits are picking up on this yet?

Well, well, well, if you want to know about Bel canto

look in the Mirror. Look at that photograph. Is that a

low neckline or a high hemline? And I thought

Hurley's dresses were economically cut!

Daily Mirror Caption: " New York 3am. It really is the

city that never sleeps. Fab Brit Singer of the year leaves

exclusive New York night spot The Plaza on the arm of

Manhattan's Mr Celebrity Count Alfons de

Monceau..."

Way to go girl! I feel a feature coming on.

( BEGINS TO TAP INTO HIS LAPTOP )

" From the flashing treble of her eyes to the deep

resonance of her cleave.... " Chaz, Chaz, Chaz, you are

music critic of the Globe. Think Covent Garden not

Wapping. Let's be true to your readers, to your self.

(TRIES AGAIN, TAPPING INTO THE KEYBOARD )

"Hyperbole and opera have never been strangers. The

emergence of Michelle " - I must stop doing that -

"Mirabelle Thornton onto the world scene following her

heart stopping performance at the BBC Singer of the

Year competition has left music critics on both sides of

the Atlantic struggling for adjectives...

( HIS PHONE RINGS )

Mike ! How, where are y....The Daily Mirror? No, of

course I never read the tabloids. I suggest you calm

down and get back to London while you still have a job.

I seem to have this recollection of you being a book

reviewer for a leading London newspaper.

Mike! ( HIS PHONE GOES DEAD. WE HEAR

DIALLING TONE ) Now don't go and do anything

sensible. THEN TAPPING ONTO

KEYBOARD BEGINS AGAIN )

Scene 9 - Interior - Exterior Sound Montage of

Mirabelle's fabulous career.

MUSIC THROUGHOUT: MIRABELLE SINGING

VERDI GYPSY GIRL.

ROAR OF JET ENGINES. PAPARAZZI FLASH

PHOTOGRAPHERS. "OVER HERE MIRABELLE,

COME ON MIRABELLE" TV REPORTER:

" WILKOMMEN IN BERLIN, FRAULEIN

THORNTON" MORE JET ENGINES,

PHOTOGRAPHY, AUTOGRAPH HUNTERS.

" CE SOIR MIRABELLE ET LE COMTE DE

MONCEAU ARRIVE A GEORGE V PARIS "

FAN: " SHE'S JUST LIKE CALLAS, OR MAYBE

PRINCESS GRACE..."

PRESS: " MIRABELLE, COMTE, MIRABELLE,

COMTE. "

FASHION MAGAZINE: " THIS YEAR THE LOOK

IS LA MIRABELLE..."

HIGHBROW MUSIC REVIEW ( WRITTEN BY

CHAZ, READ IN CHAZ'S VOICE ) " THE GLOBE,

LONDON, OPERA CRITICS THE WORLD OVER

ARE STRUGGLING FOR ADJECTIVES TO

DESCRIBE THE VOICE, AND IT MUST BE SAID,

THE LOOK OF MIRABELLE THORTON..."

THE AUDIENCE IN NAPLES CHANTING

BELLISIMO, ENCORE "

( VOICE OF MIKE ) " THE NEW YORK REVIEW

OF BOOKS " OF COURSE THIS LATEST EDITION

OF GROVE WENT TO PRESS BEFORE THE

CURRENT SURGE OF HYPERBOLE

SURROUNDING THE SINGER MIRABELLE..."

JET LANDING: JOURNALISTS PURSUING

MIRABELLE, COUNT AND PORTIA AT

HEATHROW " GIVE US A SMILE MIRABELLE,

A WORD, COUNT, MISS DE ANGELO ? "

ENGLISH VOICES AT COVENT GARDEN:

" BRAVO, ENCORE..."

FADE DOWN MUSIC.

Scene 10 Interior - morning Mirabelle and the Count

in the Riverside suite at the Savoy London after her

Covent Garden triumph

MIRABELLE YAWNS WITH CONTENTMENT AS

THE COUNT DRAWS BACK THE CURTAINS,

TAKES ROOM SERVICE BREAKFAST, FLOWERS,

AND NEWSPAPERS

1 MIRABELLE Emmmmm. What a lovely day. I love my new life.

2 COUNT I love you, my darling Mirabelle.

3 MIRABELLE Oh, Alfons " I'm going to make you a star " de

Monceau.

4 COUNT Count, to you, you impertinent suburban upstart.

( THEY KISS )

And what would you like to do, this lovely day.

Lunch at the Ivy, shopping off Bond Street, stay in

bed while I shower these roses all over you...?

5 MIRABELLE Alfons, I want you to do something for me.

6 COUNT Of course my darling. I'll arrange anything for you.

7 MIRABELLE Read.

8 COUNT But that doesn't cost anything.

9 MIRABELLE Read. What are they saying about me. The press, the

public.

10 COUNT Do you need their approbation?

11 MIRABELLE No, I don't need it. I love it.

12 COUNT Let me see. Yes, here we are. Daily Telegraph. " The

rise of Miss Mirabelle Thornton is unstoppable. Her

Covent Garden debut last night was remarkable not only

in her almost perfect technique...

13 MIRABELLE Almost?

14 COUNT ...but in her assured style and command of the

arena. It is as if she has been a star for years.

The Times. " Debut it may have been, but last night

La Thornton earned the right, premature as it may seem,

to be spoken of in the same breath as the great divas of

our age..

15 MIRABELLE Yes, yes, and The Globe.

16 COUNT " The Globe has followed the career, the trajectory of

Miss Thornton from the beginning. Her Covent Garden

debut was not so much of a surprise, as a confirmation

of her arrival on the world scene, the only way is up."

17 MIRABELLE Ah yes, and any interesting book reviews in the
Globe?

18 COUNT Book reviews?

( PHONE RINGS, COUNT ANSWERS )

Count Alfons de Monceau.

19 MIRABELLE ( CORRECTS HIM ) Miss Thornton's suite.

20 COUNT ( CONTINUES ON PHONE )

Portia darling. Lunch ? The new one near the Eiffel

Tower. We'd love to.

21 MIRABELLE London for breakfast, Paris for lunch, I wonder
where

we will have dinner ?

22 COUNT The only way is up.

Scene 11 - Interior day In the Globe newspaper

office.

1 CHAZ ( STOPS TAPPING INTO LAPTOP, LEAFS

THROUGH PAPERS ) Even more rave reviews for the

Thornton woman. Where's my OED ? Ah, yes, H - U -

B - R -I - S. Interesting. That reminds me. ( DIALS ON

TELEPHONE, DIALLING TONE, THEN

ANSWERMACHINE MESSAGE. )

Come on Mike old son. Put down the Bordeaux, pick up

the phone, pick up yourself.

2 MIKE ( HIS ANSWERPHONE MESSAGE. HE HAS

OBVIOUSLY RECENTLY RE-RECORDED HIS

OUTGOING MESSAGE, PROBABLY WITH DRINK

TAKEN. )

You are through to Mike Hacker's answerphone.

If you are a star, I mean if you have a star touch phone,

press 1 to leave a general message. If you are my editor

press 2. If you are Mirabelle Thornton then go and ...

( CHAZ SLAMS DOWN HIS PHONE )

Scene 12 - Interior - Paris restaurant

1 PORTIA (AIR KISSING MIRABELLE AND COUNT )

My darling Mirabelle. Count, so charming.

This is the best restaurant in Paris. Six stars.

2 COUNT As far as I am aware Michelin only award three, my

dearest Portia.

3 PORTIA Men, poor dears, so literal, don't you find, Mirabelle?

Three Michelin stars, de rigeur. Plus Mirabelle, of

course, myself, and you, count. Ah my favourite table. I

do so love the view over the Seine at this time of the

year.

Paris. Debussy, Gershwin, Ravel, Stravinsky, they all

loved it so. And how right they were.

I've taken the liberty of ordering our aperitifs.

My usual Spritzer, the Count's usual very dry Martini

And Mirabelle's usual Evian. Cheers. To music.

4 ALL To music.

5 PORTIA And business.

6 MIRABELLE and COUNT Business?

7 PORTIA Ah my dears, the young, they only think of pleasure.

Maybe you are right. First the menu. I recommend the

bass.

8 COUNT I will follow your impeccable judgement, Portia.

9 MIRABELLE A steak, bloody, large.

10 PORTIA Be careful you do not over reach yourself, my girl.

11 MIRABELLE I am not over reaching myself. You have decided what
I

am having to drink. I am deciding what I am having to

eat.

12 PORTIA ( SHE RELAYS THE ORDER TO THE MAITRE D )

Very well. It is after all the day after your triumph.

We must celebrate last night's triumph ( THEY CLINK

GLASSES ), but even as the applause is ringing in our

ears it is time to plan the ascent of new heights.

Fame, at whatever stage, is like a bicycle. It can never

stand still. It must always be propelled, planned,

anticipated. Now, I have a business proposition for you

both.

13 MIRABELLE For us both?

14 PORTIA We are a trio now, my own Mirabelle. As much as any

musical trio. You are on the stage, I, and the Count are

in the wings. We help you fly.

15 COUNT Go on Portia.

16 PORTIA As I said, the career of a great singer is to be

meticulously planned. Every detail. The repertoire, the

dresses, the company you keep, the restaurants you

frequent, your health, the venues. After your triumphs

at the Museum in New York, in Naples and your

Covent Garden debut, it is time for the next stage. A

world tour.

17 MIRABELLE I was rather hoping to go shopping this afternoon.

And then the world tour.

18 PORTIA Today is for you. You have worked so hard, you have

come so far. Today lunch, then the Count will

accompany you on some shopping. I have arranged a

fitting at Yves St Laurent.

19 MIRABELLE One day I will wake up.

20 PORTIA As I said. Everything must be meticulously planned.

We are in the finest restaurant, it goes without saying

you are with the finest company, the repertoire is under

control, and now the frocks, the look.

21 COUNT ( GETTING UP ) Perhaps you ladies would like some

private time alone, to talk business. I'll await your call

at the bar.

22 PORTIA Please remain seated my dear Count. We are a trio.

Mirabelle, the artist, myself, the management, globally,

and Count, the financier.

Ah, the bloody steak. Bon appetit.

( THEY CLINK GLASSES AGAIN )

A toast. The World.

23 ALL ( MIRABELLE ENTHUSIASTICALLY, PORTIA

BUSINESS LIKE, THE COUNT A LITTLE LESS

CERTAIN, THINKING ABOUT THE FINANCIAL

BACKING )

The world.

Scene 13 - Interior, day - rehearsal rooms - London.

Mirabelle rehearsing technically demanding songs from

La Wally with the concert master.

1 CONCERT MASTER
Good, and sustain, too much vibrato, too many late

nights. Again. Better, but again. Until it is perfect.

Everything must be perfect. You're a professional now,

Mirabelle. In one of the most demanding professions in

the world. Your technique must be perfect. It is the

foundation of everything. You will be before the most

demanding audiences in the world. London. Paris. New

York, Milan. I believe in you. Do you believe in

yourself Mirabelle? There is nowhere to hide on these

stages. Do you believe in your self Mirabelle?

2 MIRABELLE Yes.

3 CONCERT MASTER Do you believe in yourself Mirabelle?

4 MIRABELLE Yes. Yes. I do.

5 CONCERT MASTER Let me, let the world hear the belief in your

voice.

( MIRABELLE'S VOICE IN THE REHEARSAL

ROOM RINGS OUT. AS HER VOICE SOARS IT IS

EVENTUALLY OVERWHELMED BY ROCK

MUSIC - ROLLING STONES' SATISFACTION - IN

A NOISY LONDON BAR. ROCKING STONES

SONGS PLAY THROUGHOUT.)

Scene 14 - Interior - evening - In a London bar.

Mike is talking to a girl he has just met. It's late.

1 MIKE God, I Love the Stones. They know so well what they

are all about. You look like a girl who knows what she

is about. You are so beautiful. Let's spend the night

together. Yes, yes, I know. Another drink. Same again?

Me? Girlfriend. No. Been burned before. Won't get

fooled again. But maybe I could fall in love with you

though. Yes, a new start. You are so beautiful. You are

my type. Before? You don't want to know about that.

Let's live in the present. Well. Alright. A singer. Yeah

really. No, not R and B, no, not soul, no not urban -

but I appreciate the compliment. Opera. Yeah. No

fooling. Opera. Used to like it. I'll take you one night if

you like? You'd love it. Class girl like you. No, I mean

it. But I've moved on now. Different life. Job?

Journalist. Well I least I was. No. I do leave the bar

sometimes. That's just a stereotype. Journalists, booze.

( HIS MOBILE RINGS, THE RING TONE IS ONE OF

THE SONGS MIRABELLE SINGS ). Expect that will

be my editor now. 24 hour job journalism. I'll switch it

off. Tonight I'm yours. No, you don't have to go,

I really will take you to the opera if that's what you

want...No you don't ( SHE'S GONE ) have to go.

(VERY LATE NOW, STONES PLAYING SLOW

BLUES. THIS SONG IN TURN OVERWHELMED

BY THE RETURN OF MIRABELLE'S SINGING.

VOICES OF MIKE AND COUNT OVERLAP.

2 MIKE (MAUDLIN, ALONE ) Goodnight my nightingale.

Tomorrow another lost deadline.

3 COUNT ( POSSESIVE, WITH MIRABELLE )

Goodnight, my love. Tomorrow the world.

Scene 15 -Interior / Exterior- Mirabelle's World

Tour. Very upbeat, to music of Dat's Love,

Carmen Jones, Habenera.

ROAR OF JET ENGINES.

AIRPORT ANNOUNCEMENT:

"AIR FRANCE ANNOUNCE THE ARRIVAL OF

FLIGHT 4468 FROM LONDON IN NICE"

COUNT'S VOICE:

PRINCE RAINIER, I AM HONOURED TO PRESENT

TO YOU MY CLOSE COMPANION MISS

THORNTON. "

MORE MUSIC. APPLAUSE. VOICES FRENCH,

ITALIAN, GERMAN, AUSTRALIAN, AMERICAN

" ENCORE, ENCORE. "

MORE MUSIC. APPLAUSE. BRAVOS.

REVIEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

( READ BY CHAZ ).

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.

" FROM THE HEMISPHERE THAT SENT

SUTHERLAND TO CONQUER THE WORLD,

WE ACCEPT YOU, WITH EQUAL PRAISE, ON

OUR STAGE TODAY. "

LOS ANGELES TIMES. " HOLLYWOOD IS THE

LAND OF STARS, THE WEST COAST PUBLIC

THIS EVENING WITH ONE VOICE ACCLAIMED

THE VOICE OF THE LATEST IN THE GREAT LINE

OF OPERATIC STARS TO GRACE THE WEST

COAST."

MORE MUSIC, APPLAUSE, MIRABELLE

ACCEPTING: " YOU ARE SO KIND, SO KIND "

MIRABELLE, THE COUNT, PORTIA DRINKING

ANOTHER TOAST: " THE WORLD. "

PLANE LANDING AT HEATHROW, PAPARAZZI

IN VIP AREA. JOURNALIST'S VOICE.

" MISS THORNTON, YOU'VE TRAVELLED

ALL OVER THE WORLD, COULD YOU TELL

LONDON VOGUE THE SECRET OF TRAVELLING

WITH SUCH ELAN"

MIRABELLE " YOU WANT TO KNOW THE

SECRET OF MY SUCCESS? " HER REPLY IS

OVERWHELMED BY CLAMOUR, RISE AND

CONCLUSION OF MUSIC. APPLAUSE FADES

DOWN FOR LAST PIECE OF HER FINAL NIGHT

AT COVENT GARDEN. BROADCAST LIVE.

Scene 16 - Interior - Towards the end of Mirabelle's

Recital at Covent Garden.

1 ANNOUNCER The applause, seemingly without end, is settled with
a

sweep of the elegantly attired arm. The end of her

triumphant world tour, we will now hear the piece with

which it all began, the piece she has made her very own.

Miss Thornton will now perform Vissi D'Arte, from the

great drama by Puccini, Tosca.

( APPLAUSE. SILENCE IN ANTICIPATION THEN

MUSIC BEGINS, MIRABELLE PERFORMS

CONFIDENTLY; IT IS HER PIECE NOW.

SHE GOES FOR THE HIGH NOTE TOWARDS THE

CLIMAX OF THE PIECE, FAILS HORRIBLY.

THE ORCHESTRA CONTINUES. MIRABELLE

TRIES TO RECOVER, BUT CAN'T. SHE LEAVES

THE STAGE. THE ORCHESTRA PETER OUT.

SILENCE. NOTHING FROM THE AUDIENCE.

ONE MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE

(IT IS CHAZ ) TRIES TO GET

SOME SUPPORT/APPLAUSE GOING BUT FAILS.

SILENCE FALLS AGAIN. AUDIENCE BECOMES

RESTLESS, SEATS BEGIN TO FOLD UP AS

PEOPLE LEAVE.

(ANNOUNCER CONTINUES BROADCASTING FROM

AUDITORIUM, HEARD ON RADIO )

It must be said, a less than orthodox ending to what has

been, at least until the very last moment, a perfect world

tour for this still young singer. It is not unknown, in this

most demanding of professions for these things to

happen. I am sure her many fans throughout the world

will stand by her and Mirabelle Thornton will be back

where she belongs, centre stage. I now return you, from

Covent Garden to Broadcasting House.

2 MIKE ( LISTENING FROM HOME, SWITCHING

OFF RADIO. ) Good God.

Yes, Mirabelle Thornton will be back where she

belongs.

Scene 17 - Interior - The hotel suite, the morning after.

Rustle of newspapers, pouring of tea, a tense silence

between Count and Mirabelle.

1 MIRABELLE I missed a note. It is still possible to talk to me,
Alfons.

2 COUNT Quite my dear

( SILENCE CONTINUES )

3 MIRABELLE Well, if you insist on being petulant, perhaps I will
read

the reviews.

4 COUNT Is that wise?

5 MIRABELLE What?

6 COUNT I merely enquired if that is wise. Reading last night's

reviews I mean.

( RUSTLE OF NEWSPAPERS, MIRABELLE

READS FRAGMENTS ALOUD )

7 MIRABELLE ...Emm.....God, that's a bit harsh, let's see...The
Times

" Mirabelle Thornton's so-called performance at Covent

Garden last night is a reminder, a lesson, of the perils of

too much, too soon with too little..." the hypocrites, the

unspeakable shallowness of it all....The International

Herald Tribune: " The world of international music is

unforgiving and there is no reason to be lenient in the

case of jejune UK soprano Mirabelle Thor..." This is

insufferable. I've been all round the world. I fluffed one

note. Are they all like that? ( FRANTIC RUFFLING

THROUGH NEWSPAPERS ). They are. Insufferable.

Only one exception. The Globe. The faithful Globe.

(TO HERSELF ) Chaz. He was always there. ( BACK

TO THE COUNT ). And of course you, my dear

Alfons. ( THE SILENCE IS TOO LONG ) I can count

on you Count, can't I? ( STILL NO RESPONSE FROM

THE COUNT ). I've had enough of this. I'll ring Portia.

( She dials )

8 PORTIA'S SECRETARY
Portia D'Angelo International Representation. Can I

help you?

9 MIRABELLE It's Mirabelle Thornton ( EVIDENTLY THIS ISN'T

ENOUGH. MIRABELLE IS FORCED TO

CONTINUE. )

Mirabelle Thornton for

Portia D'Angelo.

10 SECRETARY Hold please. ( MIRABELLE IS PUT ON HOLD, A

TINNY VERSION OF AN ARIA FROM LA

BOHEME IS PORTIA'S HOLDING JINGLE. )

11 MIRABELLE ( SLAMS DOWN PHONE ) Et tu Portia.

Scene 18 - Evening Sometime after the

concert debacle. Mike and Chaz in their Soho bar.

1 CHAZ Now you old recluse, read any good books lately?

What you having, Mike?

2 MIKE Evian is fine.

3 CHAZ Sorry?

4 MIKE You heard, Chaz, get on with it.

5 CHAZ No worries. (AS HE RECEIVES DRINKS FROM BAR

WOMAN ) Thanks.

6 MIKE Time to move on, Chaz old man. Drink, women - I

should say - woman. New song.

7 CHAZ I see. Mirabelle means nothing to you now then?

8 MIKE I didn't say that.

9 CHAZ Supposing I told you she's in trouble? She needs help.

Life and death. All that jazz. ( TO BAR WOMAN )

Same again please.

10 MIKE Role reversal.

11 CHAZ Sorry?

12 MIKE Haven't seen anyone drink so much since I last looked

in the mirror. Yes, I know about Mirabelle. I'm a Radio

Three man too, remember? Tragic. She missed a note.

Life goes on.

13 CHAZ There's a bit more to it than the fluffed note. She's
gone

into a spin. A veritable descent. I'm worried. She called

me the day after. In a frightful state. Portia has closed

down. The old phone calls not returned routine. That

dreadful Count person sloped off.

14 MIKE Excellent.

15 CHAZ Sorry?

16 MIKE Third time you've said sorry. What is it with you and

Mirabelle?

17 CHAZ Sor...What!

18 MIKE The reviews. Always concentrated a fraction more on

the low necklines rather than the high notes of the

coloratura.

19 CHAZ That's uncalled for. I'm trying to help. Her. You.

20 MIKE I just told you. I've moved on. Do you know how many

notes there are in an average recital?

21 CHAZ No.

22 MIKE 20,000

23 CHAZ You are a sad bastard.

24 MIKE 20,000. And she missed one.

25 CHAZ I am worried. Objectively. Her world changed as much

as quickly as yours. All her support networks....

26 MIKE ...except you

27 CHAZ All her support networks have gone. You know, we all

know, she only ever had one support network. You.

You only ever had one love. Her. She needs you. The

missed note was a symbol. She was living a sham.

She is a singer. A musician, but the world that engulfed

her isn't hers. You are her world. If she reconnects with

you, she'll hit the high notes again, not the high life.

28 MIKE So?

29 CHAZ A phone call, maybe a meeting, talk, get her back in the

rehearsal rooms. Work at it. Both of you.

What do you say?

30 MIKE Maybe you can buy me a beer. Just the one.

Scene 19- Int - afternoon - Mirabelle's flat, London.

Sometime after the concert debacle. Sound of ice cubes

clinking, whoosh of soda etc.

1 MIRABELLE On the rocks?

2 CHAZ What? Oh that, yeah, thanks.

3 MIRABELLE What did you think I meant, Chaz old friend?

I'll take mine neat.

4 MIRABELLE Chaz knows best. ( More ice clinking, silence )

Look, Chaz, thank you for coming to see me.

I haven't seen anyone since...since, you know.

5 CHAZ And the Count?

6 MIRABELLE Do you think a man like that is going to stick
around?

7 CHAZ Quite.

8 MIRABELLE ( IMITATING THE COUNT ) " I am afraid you have

embarrassed me darling. I regret I can no longer be

associated with you." Regret my ar....

9 CHAZ What can I do for you, Mirabelle ?

10 MIRABELLE Talk to me, Chaz. You know things. Think things,

say things to me. Anchor me. Move me on. Bring me

back.

11 CHAZ I love you.

12 MIRABELLE I know you do. You always have. You always will.

That's why you are here. Where are they all? Mike, the

Count, Portia. But Chaz, you are the only person I want

near me right now.

13 CHAZ Only ?

14 MIRABELLE You know what I mean?

15 CHAZ Do I, do you, know what you mean, want, who you are?

You're right, you do know I love you, always have,

always will, Michelle.

16 MIRABELLE No Charles. Not that. Not now.

17 CHAZ You have to face it, Michelle. You are, were, living a

lie.

18 MIRABELLE No.

19 CHAZ What happened to you is very simple. Your name is

Michelle Thornton. You are a great and talented singer

You won the world's most prestigious competition - as

Mirabelle. You constructed yourself. You lived

someone else's life. You mixed with people you hate.

Mirabelle is a package, a veneer, a heap of...

20 MIRABELLE No.

21 CHAZ You are living a lie. You fooled yourself to believe you

were living the truth, what you had always wanted.

Your dream achieved. All those years, music college,

late nights, early mornings, the burning candle.

Your name is Michelle Thornton. You lost yourself.

You can find yourself. The missed note is a symptom,

The lie revealed. Tell me your name.

22 MIRABELLE ( DEFIANT ) My name is Mirabelle. My name is...

23 CHAZ Who are you?

24 MIRABELLE My name is, my name is ( BREAKS DOWN )

Michelle.

25 CHAZ ( HOLDS HER ) And now your life can begin again.

A reconstruction.

26 MIRABELLE A reconstruction?

27 CHAZ You will be Mirabelle again. It will be your stage name.

Your nom de guerre. But you will remember who you

are.

28 MIRABELLE I thank you, for your faith, your love, from the
past.

29 CHAZ The past is gone. No note can be held forever. I will

love you, in my own way. But we know there is

only one love for you. I want you to go back out into the

world. There is only one man for you really. Mike. It's a

given. I want you to stop hiding now. We want you, the

real you, back, centre stage.

Scene 20 Int - The next morning - Mirabelle's

flat. Phone rings. Mirabelle's answer machine.

Mirabelle has recorded her message, like an affirmation,

in a loop.

1 MESSAGE This is Michelle Thornton, this is Michelle Thornton...

2 MIKE Mirabelle. It's Mike. Remember? Pick the bloody

phone up. Now.( TO HIMSELF ) What's with this

Michelle stuff?

(THE PHONE KEEPS RINGING ) Come on, girl, I can

feel you are there, pick up...

3 MIRABELLE Mike, it's you.

4 MIKE We are back. You are Mirabelle. I've booked the

concert master and rehearsal room in half an hour. You

are Mirabelle. You are going to be there. I'm going to

make you a star.

( MIRABELLE BREAKS INTO A HAPPY,

RELIEVED LAUGHTER. LAUGHTER FADES INTO

MIRABELLE SINGING BEETHOVEN TO HOPE.

THEN THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE, SHOUTS FROM

THE CROWD, " ENCORE, " " MIRABELLE " )

5 ANNOUNCER ( IN THE CONCERT HALL )

Her eyes sparkling, all London welcomes the

triumphant return centre stage of Mirabelle Thornton.

The silence following her world tour so beautifully

broken, the past behind her, the renewed assurance and

depth in her voice, the musical world in front

of her. A bouquet is presented, perhaps a speech...

6 MIRABELLE ( THROUGH THE APPLAUSE ) You are so kind, so

kind. I thank you. I thank you my wonderful audience.

I thank my supporters back stage - they know who they

are. I share your applause with my manager and partner,

Mike, for making this evening possible. I stand before

you, an artist, not alone, but, as expressed so movingly

in this song, at one with art and the world.

(THE ORCHESTRA BEGINS TO LEAD IN TO

VISSI D'ARTE. FADE AND CLOSE. )

Jftk 2003 High C

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