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Dance of the Carol
By Jonathan Elmore Choreography by Suzanne Boles
Copyright © 2009 by Jonathan Elmore
Characters:
Darius – Early middle aged composer
Enid – Wife of Darius
Prince Gerard– Benefactor of Darius
Laura – Enid’s friend and neighbor
King’s Messenger
2 Male Dancers
2 Female Dancers
Setting: Interior of Darius and Enid’s modest medieval house. Exits needed for bedroom, kitchen, and outside.
Scene I
Curtain Up, Darius is at the dining table writing intently, he stops and inspects his work. Pleased with what he sees, he calls out to his wife.
DARIUS: Enid, darling. Come here please.
ENID: (Enters from kitchen drying her hands) Yes, Darius.
DARIUS: I’ve done it again, I believe.
ENID: And what have you done again?
DARIUS: A masterpiece! A bloody masterpiece.
ENID: Well, as long as you’re perfectly humble about it. (Tussles his hair and takes the sheet music) As per usual, I’ll be the judge of that.
DARIUS: (Stands up to let Enid sit in his place) You always have been my toughest critic.
ENID: (She sits) And your strongest champion. I critique because I want you to be perfect for the people you write for.
DARIUS: You are stronger than I am. That is until I attack the nape of your neck. (He kisses the back of her neck.)
ENID: (She shutters and giggles) Do you want me to look at this piece or not?
DARIUS: I do, but your neck won’t let be behave. I want to celebrate!
ENID: Let me look this over. I’ll let you know if it’s something we should celebrate or not. If it is, we will celebrate until the neighbors complain about the noise. (Gives him a seductive glance)
DARIUS: Well, get to reading then.
Darius paces back and forth while Enid looks over the piece of music. Every few seconds she nods and says “MmHm” or “Ahh” etc. With each of her interjections, Darius looks over her shoulder.
ENID: A minor into F major? Very interesting. (After a moment she finishes reading and set the music down)
DARIUS: Well?
ENID: It looks as though you’ve done it again, dear. (Darius clasp his hands together in excitement) That’s a solid twelve compositions in a very quick succession; concertos, dances, oratorios, and this.
DARIUS: I knew it!
ENID: (She picks up the music again) A subtle opening, a powerful transition, and the coda is the right length not to bore anyone.
DARIUS: Bore anyone!? It will thrill everyone!
ENID: All right, enough. It’s good. When are you planning to premier…what’s the name of the piece?
DARIUS: I believe I’ll save it for the spring. The progression has the feel of winter turning to spring. (Pause) That could be the name of it; Winter Into Spring.
ENID: Sounds perfect. The prince and his fiancée will, no doubt, come see the performance.
DARIUS: They’ve come to see all of the other performances. I don’t see why they wouldn’t come for this one.
ENID: Rightly so! The prince has been your benefactor for over four years now.
DARIUS: And I believe that he has spent his money wisely.
ENID: There’s that boastful pride again. It will be your undoing one day. (She kisses his cheek) At least you’re handsome.
DARIUS: Come now, Enid. You know boasting is one of my family’s traits. I come from Vikings after all.
ENID: True. Your father couldn’t seem to tell me enough times how he masterfully sired four boys; his sons who went on to become a statesman, a scholar, a physician, and a court composer.
DARIUS: He did?
ENID: Several times. Four sons he said. NOT one son and one daughter.
DARIUS: Sounds like him.
ENID: Sounds like you!
DARIUS: Fair enough.
ENID: Besides, its women that make this world go round.
DARIUS: I wouldn’t be here at all if it weren’t for a woman.
ENID: Always remember that darling.
DARIUS: I rather like having a son and a daughter. I think our son will be an artist or a composer like me.
ENID: And what of our daughter?
DARIUS: She’s only one year old. Let’s worry about that later. The boy, though, he’ll be an artisan of some kind.
ENID: He actually fancies himself a horseman.
DARIUS: Horseman? Horses are smelly and terrifying.
ENID: They are not. You would feel differently if you ever spent any time with them.
DARIUS: I would rather walk and not smell of hay and leavings.
ENID: You’re too much. You know children never grow up to be what we think they should be.
DARIUS: That would make for a lot of physicians and lawyers, wouldn’t it?
ENID: Indeed.
DARIUS: But a horseman? A stable boy?
ENID: The king’s livery man makes four times your salary.
DARIUS: (Stunned pause) Is that true?
ENID: Yes, but he’s not as charming and witty and talented as you. (She hugs him)
DARIUS: Well then, how about that celebration we were speaking of earlier?
ENID: That sounds like a fine idea.
Darius takes her by the hand and exits to the bedroom. There is a knock at the door. Still hand in hand they enter back into the room. Darius looks put out as he plops down at the table. Enid straightens her hair and her skirt, goes to the door, and opens it.
ENID: Yes? (Recognizes who it is) Oh! (She bows) Prince Gerard.
In steps the prince, tall and confident. Darius pops up from his chair and bows.
PRINCE GERARD: Thank you both for the formality, but I’m in your home now. Please. (He takes Enid’s hand and kisses it. She swoons a bit and moves behind Darius fanning her face with her hand.)
DARIUS: Prince Gerard, what brings you to this part of the country?
PRINCE: I’m always in this part of the country, Darius. The hunting is magnificent from here to the mountains.
DARIUS: I didn’t know that.
PRINCE: Do you not hunt?
DARIUS: Uh, your father, the king, doesn’t allow us to hunt but once a year. It’s always a field full of mad men trying to track down a deer or fox.
PRINCE: Oh, I didn’t realize hunting was forbidden. I’ll talk to him about that.
DARIUS: It would help us survive the cold season.
PRINCE: Enough talk of sport! I’m here to speak to you of music.
DARIUS: I’ve just finished a marvelous piece if I do say so myself.
PRINCE: Grand! Let’s see it then.
DARIUS: (Hands the prince the sheet music) Winter Into Spring, sire.
PRINCE: (Scans the pages) This seems wonderful. (Tosses the music onto the table) But not wonderful enough for what I have planned.
DARIUS: (A little hurt) You need something wonderful-er? I mean more wonderful than this piece?
PRINCE: Oh yes. What I have planned is a yuletide gala to outshine all previous parties this kingdom has seen. The reason is three-fold. First…It’s Christmas! Who doesn’t love Christmas? (Darius begins to speak but is interrupted.) Second, this is the anniversary of my father’s coronation. He has majestically been on the throne for forty years. Isn’t that something, Darius? (Darius begins to speak but is interrupted) Third, and to me, most importantly, this is the first Yule since Princess Carolyn and I were wed. Isn’t that fantastic, Darius?
DARIUS: (Waits to see if the prince is finished) That all sounds like quite a festive gala, your highness. Are we to be invited?
ENID: (Quite excited) Are we invited, your highness?
PRINCE: Better.
DARIUS: What’s better than being invited to a royal Christmas gala?
ENID: (Feels faint) Oh my lord, we’re going to sit at the King’s table.
PRINCE: No, no. You’re invited to be sure, but here’s why I’ve come to see you. I want you to write a carol for mine and my new bride’s first Christmas dance as a wedded couple.
ENID: I think I’m going to cry. (Sits in one of the chairs at the table)
DARIUS: (Bows) What an honor, your majesty.
PRINCE: No bows please. Darius, the honor is mine. (Grabs Darius by the shoulders) This isn’t merely mine and Carolyn’s first Yule dance. It’s the most important dance of the good King’s reign. Forty years is unheard of and you’re here for it. I am proud to have such a fine composer write the music for our first Christmas dance and the King’s continued success. You created a masterpiece for our wedding and I feel that you are truly a talented man. I know you will write the perfect melody for us. (Pats him hard on the shoulder) Now, I must be off. There are squirrels and rabbits that need my attention. They’re very difficult to hit with an arrow. Therein lies the fun. (Steps around Darius to Enid, grabs her hand and kisses it.) Enid my dear, keep this man on task. The success of this carol will determine how the next forty years of this kingdom will turn out. (Darius looks sick. The prince turns to leave, opens the door and waves to them.) For now, I bid you adieu. (Exits and shuts the door behind him. Pause. Enters again.) Oh, the gala is in thirty days, so I’ll need the music as soon as possible so we can rehearse the dance. Write on, my dear composer! (Exits)
Darius and Enid motionlessly sit in silence for a moment.
DARIUS: I need whiskey…
ENID: I’ll join you. (They both slowly exit to the kitchen)
Curtain
Scene II
Knock at the door. Enid comes from the kitchen to answer it. She opens the door.
LAURA: Enid! (She barges in and closes the door)
ENID: What’s the matter, Laura?
LAURA: Spill it! Why was the prince in your house?
ENID: (They sit down at the table)You know that Darius has been getting payed by the prince for creating music, right?
LAURA: Yes. He wrote their wedding music.
ENID: Right. Well, the prince is planning the biggest Christmas gala the kingdom has ever seen and the prince wants Darius to create a piece of music for them to dance to at the royal Christmas gala. (Laura gasps) it will be their first Yule dance as a couple and the celebration of the King’s coronation. Can you believe it?
LAURA: (Squeals) So you’re going to the party then?
ENID: We are invited. I have to make a new dress. I have to find someone with rouge. Do you have rouge? I need rouge.
LAURA: I know girls that have rouge. Don’t worry about that.
ENID: I’m so nervous about being at the castle. Coronation anniversary, first Christmas dance and we’re going to be there for it!
LAURA: I am so jealous, (Stands and begins to waltz) dancing with the royals. How is Darius feeling about this?
ENID: He’s…nervous.
LAURA: He should be. Gerard and Carolyn’s dance is no small task. It must be elegant and sophisticated and fun and proper and romantic. Has he started work on it yet?
Darius enters with a mug of whisky. He is wide eyed and a little drunk
ENID: Let him get his whisky through him and he’ll start working on it.
LAURA: Hello Darius.
DARIUS: Hello there Laura. What brings you to the house of Esterouse today?
LAURA: I was checking in with Enid to find out why the prince was here.
ENID: I told her about the dance. I hope you don’t mind.
DARIUS: Oh, no. Soon enough everyone will know.
LAURA: So what are you going to write for his royal handsomeness?
ENID: Maybe now is still too soon to think about that.
DARIUS: Yes, my dear Laura. The Muse must come to me and grace me with the precise music for this… (Sighs) extremely important occasion. (He drinks the entire contents of his mug)
LAURA: A most important occasion…the ceremony, the dance, the feast, the King.
ENID: All right, Laura. He knows the importance of it. Give us a while to let this soak in. I’ll come around in a day or two and get the name of the girl with the rouge.
LAURA: I’ll go talk to them now. Bye Enid. Goodbye royal court composer.
DARIUS: (Not looking at her) Goodbye common neighbor washer woman.
Enid lets Laura out.
ENID: Darling, you don’t look at all well.
DARIUS: There is nothing in my head.
ENID: What do you mean?
DARIUS: I mean there’s no music in my head right now.
ENID: Certainly there is. (Picks up the sheet music from the table) You just wrote a brilliant piece of music.
DARIUS: Yes, I wrote it down and now there is nothing left.
ENID: What are you saying?
DARIUS: The moment that the prince asked me to write him a carol, my mind went completely blank.
ENID: That cannot be.
DARIUS: It is.
ENID: That’s…a bit disconcerting.
DARIUS: That’s…bloody terrifying is what that is.
ENID: All right, finish your drink and we’ll just take our minds off of everything. (She plays with his hair) We could go celebrate like we talked about earlier.
DARIUS: (Considers this) That could make me feel better.
ENID: It’s settled then. Come with me, my love.
They exit to the bedroom. There is a knock at the door.
DARIUS: (From off stage) Noooo!
Enid enters straightening her skirt. She answers the door.
ENID: Yes?
MESSENGER: (Dryly read from a scroll) A message from King Augustus and Queen Gwendolyn. Your presence is requested at the yuletide coronation celebration the 21st day of December. A feast and a dance will follow the ceremony. (He rolls up the scroll and hands it to Enid. He looks at her dress and raises his eyebrows.) Appropriate dress required. (Turns and leaves)
ENID: (Slams the door, Darius enter from bedroom) As if I wouldn’t dress appropriately for the most important event I’ve ever attended. (Sees Darius) I mean the second most important. Our wedding was the first.
DARIUS: (Laughs) I know what you mean, love. (Goes to the table and sits. Gets a piece of blank sheet music and stares at it.) I suppose I’ll get started on this dance music.
ENID: I know I don’t usually suggest things to you about your music, but keep in mind that the piece should be romantic but proper, holy but secular, flamboyant but modest.
DARIUS: You’ve just given me three opposites. I’ll keep them all in mind. If you could leave me to think for a bit, I would be appreciative.
ENID: Very well, dear. I’ll leave you to it. (Kisses him on the top of his head and exits)
DARIUS: Flamboyant and modest. (Laughs to himself, pause, lays his head down on the sheet music, pause, Enid enters)
ENID: I know I said I would leave you to write, but what…are you sleeping?
DARIUS: (Head still on the table) No, I want the music to ooze from my brain onto the paper. What am I going to do?
ENID: Give yourself a couple of days to get over the shock of it. After that, if there is still nothing in your brain, you may want to pray for a miracle.
DARIUS: You know I don’t pray simply because I want something. It seems like begging for money from a rich uncle. He might give it to you, but you feel like a leech for asking.
ENID: (Grabs Darius by the hand) Come on. I want you to lie down and take your mind off of everything. In the morning, you can think about all of this in a new light.
DARIUS: (Gets up) I suppose you’re right. I’ll sleep off the spirits and wake up a new man in the morning.
ENID: I’m your wife, Darius. Of course I’m right. (Both exit)
SCENE III
(Darius sits at the table, pen in one hand and head resting on the other. He is not writing. Enid enters from the kitchen.)
ENID: Was dinner enough for you?
DARIUS: My love, I ate enough eggs and potatoes to feed the Kind’s army. It made me too sleepy to work. (Stretches and yawns)
ENID: I’m not letting you get away with that excuse! I want you to think about all of the dances that we’ve been to, all the songs we’ve sung. I want you to hear that music in your head and try to get the seed of an idea.
DARIUS: Most of the dances we’ve been to would make the princess faint in disgust.
ENID: They weren’t that bad, maybe a little rowdy from time to time.
DARIUS: All right, I’ll do as you ask. I’m thinking of the dance we went to at the Apple House.
ENID: Oh, they were such nice people. They were all musicians. They could play anything they wanted and any song people wanted to hear.
DARIUS: They played a slow song toward the end of the night that has stayed with me all these months. I always wanted to create a piece that was similar but perhaps a little more formal. Do you remember the music?
ENID: I can’t remember the exact melody but I remember how I danced to it. It was like I was some kind of…sacred snowflake.
DARIUS: Sacred snowflake? (Sarcastically) That doesn’t sound mad at all.
ENID: Be nice! Watch me dance. Think of a shimmering, perfect snowflake lilting across the air. (She flits, sways and turns during a slow dance, she sings faintly) Daah dada dum, dada dum, dada dum, (etc)
DARIUS: I have a lot to mull over. It’s late. You should go on to bed and let ne think about this carol. I know the answer is in that tune, but I don’t know where it is.
ENID: All right, dear. If you need me, I’ll be happy to help you however I can. (Kisses him on the head and exits to bedroom.)
Darius gets an idea, picks up the pen, writes one note, then loses the idea and shakes his head in frustration. He rests his head on his hand and slowly lowers his head until it is resting on his outstretched arm. He drifts off to sleep. Lights dim.
In the following script, the dancers are acting out Darius’s dreams.
Dance sequence 1: Dancers enter. The first dance that Darius is dreaming about is from the party at the Apple house. It is a very informal slow dance. After the gist of the dance has been established, the music stops, all but one dancer exits, and he speaks to Darius.
MALE DANCER: Darius, you’ve always been a friend of mine and I love you like a brother. It pains me to say that you have never been able to put two different musical ideas together to make a new one. Combining this house dance and a formal carol is out of your reach. Know your limits, Darius.
Darius stirs, but remains asleep.
Dance sequence 2: Dancers enter. This dance is very fluid and spiritual, more formal than the first, but still sensual and loving. After the gist of the dance has been established, the music stops, all but one dancer exit, and she speaks to Darius.
FEMALE DANCER: Darius, you’ve always been a friend of mine and I love you very much. You have passion inside of you. You give so much of yourself. Your love is like a waterfall. Your dance is supposed to be a reflection of the love that you give every day. Let it out, Darius.
Dance sequence 3: Dancers enter. This dance is rigid, formal and unemotionally stiff. After the gist of the dance has been established, the music stops, all but one dancer exits, and he speaks to Darius.
MALE DANCER 2: Darius, you’ve always been a friend of mine and I love you. You have learned the formality of music’s rules. Proper tempo and sequence is evident in your work. It’s time to let go of what makes you comfortable and venture into a new vision. Explore, Darius.
Soft music plays, Enid enters
ENID: Darius, you’ve always been my partner and I love you like no other. Love and passion, etiquette and manners, this is what you’re looking for. This is your dance, your carol. This is your seed of an idea. Wake up and write it down. Wake up, Darius. (Exits)
Darius rouses from sleep and thinks for a moment. He quickly grabs his pen and begins to write fervently while music from the final dream sequence plays in the background. He occasionally conducts with one hand as he writes with the other. The lights slowly raise. Enid enters in night clothes.
ENID: Have you been at it all night?
DARIUS: (Holds up his hand to silence her. He finishes and stands up.) I wrote it.
ENID: You wrote the carol for the celebration?
DARIUS: No, I wrote a lullaby for the wee little lambs in the barn. Yes, I wrote the carol!
ENID: Since you’re obviously sleep deprived and delusional, I’ll let the little lamb comment slide this time.
DARIUS: Sorry, love. My mind is worn out.
ENID: Have you been up all night?
DARIUS: Actually, no. I drifted off to sleep and had dreams of dancers and music and you.
ENID: Me? What was I doing?
DARIUS: You told me to write that down. (Points to sheet music)
ENID: Well, let’s see if I told you to write down something good.
DARIUS: I can’t bear to watch. (He exits)
ENID: (She looks over the music and dances a bit as she reads.) Darius?
DARIUS: (Enters promptly) Yes?
ENID: I don’t know what to say. This piece isn’t really like any of your other works. It’s filled with love and passion and etiquette and manners…
DARIUS: That’s exactly what you said. In the dream, I mean. You said that to me in the dream that I had.
ENID: Well, it’s good to know that even in your dreams I’m right.
DARIUS: Now who’s being boastful?
ENID: This is truly a grand piece of music. You should be proud of it.
DARIUS: I’m honored to have your approval. Now I can’t wait to premier it at the Yule celebration.
ENID: The royal family will be very pleased with it, I’m sure.
DARIUS: Thank you for being in my dream. Once again, you are my muse.
ENID: I knew you had it in you. Now, dance with me composer or I won’t visit your dreams anymore.
DARIUS: Madam, it would be my pleasure.
(Music plays, they dance, lights out.)
Copyright © 2009 by Jonathan Elmore
By Jonathan Elmore Choreography by Suzanne Boles
Copyright © 2009 by Jonathan Elmore
Characters:
Darius – Early middle aged composer
Enid – Wife of Darius
Prince Gerard– Benefactor of Darius
Laura – Enid’s friend and neighbor
King’s Messenger
2 Male Dancers
2 Female Dancers
Setting: Interior of Darius and Enid’s modest medieval house. Exits needed for bedroom, kitchen, and outside.
Scene I
Curtain Up, Darius is at the dining table writing intently, he stops and inspects his work. Pleased with what he sees, he calls out to his wife.
DARIUS: Enid, darling. Come here please.
ENID: (Enters from kitchen drying her hands) Yes, Darius.
DARIUS: I’ve done it again, I believe.
ENID: And what have you done again?
DARIUS: A masterpiece! A bloody masterpiece.
ENID: Well, as long as you’re perfectly humble about it. (Tussles his hair and takes the sheet music) As per usual, I’ll be the judge of that.
DARIUS: (Stands up to let Enid sit in his place) You always have been my toughest critic.
ENID: (She sits) And your strongest champion. I critique because I want you to be perfect for the people you write for.
DARIUS: You are stronger than I am. That is until I attack the nape of your neck. (He kisses the back of her neck.)
ENID: (She shutters and giggles) Do you want me to look at this piece or not?
DARIUS: I do, but your neck won’t let be behave. I want to celebrate!
ENID: Let me look this over. I’ll let you know if it’s something we should celebrate or not. If it is, we will celebrate until the neighbors complain about the noise. (Gives him a seductive glance)
DARIUS: Well, get to reading then.
Darius paces back and forth while Enid looks over the piece of music. Every few seconds she nods and says “MmHm” or “Ahh” etc. With each of her interjections, Darius looks over her shoulder.
ENID: A minor into F major? Very interesting. (After a moment she finishes reading and set the music down)
DARIUS: Well?
ENID: It looks as though you’ve done it again, dear. (Darius clasp his hands together in excitement) That’s a solid twelve compositions in a very quick succession; concertos, dances, oratorios, and this.
DARIUS: I knew it!
ENID: (She picks up the music again) A subtle opening, a powerful transition, and the coda is the right length not to bore anyone.
DARIUS: Bore anyone!? It will thrill everyone!
ENID: All right, enough. It’s good. When are you planning to premier…what’s the name of the piece?
DARIUS: I believe I’ll save it for the spring. The progression has the feel of winter turning to spring. (Pause) That could be the name of it; Winter Into Spring.
ENID: Sounds perfect. The prince and his fiancée will, no doubt, come see the performance.
DARIUS: They’ve come to see all of the other performances. I don’t see why they wouldn’t come for this one.
ENID: Rightly so! The prince has been your benefactor for over four years now.
DARIUS: And I believe that he has spent his money wisely.
ENID: There’s that boastful pride again. It will be your undoing one day. (She kisses his cheek) At least you’re handsome.
DARIUS: Come now, Enid. You know boasting is one of my family’s traits. I come from Vikings after all.
ENID: True. Your father couldn’t seem to tell me enough times how he masterfully sired four boys; his sons who went on to become a statesman, a scholar, a physician, and a court composer.
DARIUS: He did?
ENID: Several times. Four sons he said. NOT one son and one daughter.
DARIUS: Sounds like him.
ENID: Sounds like you!
DARIUS: Fair enough.
ENID: Besides, its women that make this world go round.
DARIUS: I wouldn’t be here at all if it weren’t for a woman.
ENID: Always remember that darling.
DARIUS: I rather like having a son and a daughter. I think our son will be an artist or a composer like me.
ENID: And what of our daughter?
DARIUS: She’s only one year old. Let’s worry about that later. The boy, though, he’ll be an artisan of some kind.
ENID: He actually fancies himself a horseman.
DARIUS: Horseman? Horses are smelly and terrifying.
ENID: They are not. You would feel differently if you ever spent any time with them.
DARIUS: I would rather walk and not smell of hay and leavings.
ENID: You’re too much. You know children never grow up to be what we think they should be.
DARIUS: That would make for a lot of physicians and lawyers, wouldn’t it?
ENID: Indeed.
DARIUS: But a horseman? A stable boy?
ENID: The king’s livery man makes four times your salary.
DARIUS: (Stunned pause) Is that true?
ENID: Yes, but he’s not as charming and witty and talented as you. (She hugs him)
DARIUS: Well then, how about that celebration we were speaking of earlier?
ENID: That sounds like a fine idea.
Darius takes her by the hand and exits to the bedroom. There is a knock at the door. Still hand in hand they enter back into the room. Darius looks put out as he plops down at the table. Enid straightens her hair and her skirt, goes to the door, and opens it.
ENID: Yes? (Recognizes who it is) Oh! (She bows) Prince Gerard.
In steps the prince, tall and confident. Darius pops up from his chair and bows.
PRINCE GERARD: Thank you both for the formality, but I’m in your home now. Please. (He takes Enid’s hand and kisses it. She swoons a bit and moves behind Darius fanning her face with her hand.)
DARIUS: Prince Gerard, what brings you to this part of the country?
PRINCE: I’m always in this part of the country, Darius. The hunting is magnificent from here to the mountains.
DARIUS: I didn’t know that.
PRINCE: Do you not hunt?
DARIUS: Uh, your father, the king, doesn’t allow us to hunt but once a year. It’s always a field full of mad men trying to track down a deer or fox.
PRINCE: Oh, I didn’t realize hunting was forbidden. I’ll talk to him about that.
DARIUS: It would help us survive the cold season.
PRINCE: Enough talk of sport! I’m here to speak to you of music.
DARIUS: I’ve just finished a marvelous piece if I do say so myself.
PRINCE: Grand! Let’s see it then.
DARIUS: (Hands the prince the sheet music) Winter Into Spring, sire.
PRINCE: (Scans the pages) This seems wonderful. (Tosses the music onto the table) But not wonderful enough for what I have planned.
DARIUS: (A little hurt) You need something wonderful-er? I mean more wonderful than this piece?
PRINCE: Oh yes. What I have planned is a yuletide gala to outshine all previous parties this kingdom has seen. The reason is three-fold. First…It’s Christmas! Who doesn’t love Christmas? (Darius begins to speak but is interrupted.) Second, this is the anniversary of my father’s coronation. He has majestically been on the throne for forty years. Isn’t that something, Darius? (Darius begins to speak but is interrupted) Third, and to me, most importantly, this is the first Yule since Princess Carolyn and I were wed. Isn’t that fantastic, Darius?
DARIUS: (Waits to see if the prince is finished) That all sounds like quite a festive gala, your highness. Are we to be invited?
ENID: (Quite excited) Are we invited, your highness?
PRINCE: Better.
DARIUS: What’s better than being invited to a royal Christmas gala?
ENID: (Feels faint) Oh my lord, we’re going to sit at the King’s table.
PRINCE: No, no. You’re invited to be sure, but here’s why I’ve come to see you. I want you to write a carol for mine and my new bride’s first Christmas dance as a wedded couple.
ENID: I think I’m going to cry. (Sits in one of the chairs at the table)
DARIUS: (Bows) What an honor, your majesty.
PRINCE: No bows please. Darius, the honor is mine. (Grabs Darius by the shoulders) This isn’t merely mine and Carolyn’s first Yule dance. It’s the most important dance of the good King’s reign. Forty years is unheard of and you’re here for it. I am proud to have such a fine composer write the music for our first Christmas dance and the King’s continued success. You created a masterpiece for our wedding and I feel that you are truly a talented man. I know you will write the perfect melody for us. (Pats him hard on the shoulder) Now, I must be off. There are squirrels and rabbits that need my attention. They’re very difficult to hit with an arrow. Therein lies the fun. (Steps around Darius to Enid, grabs her hand and kisses it.) Enid my dear, keep this man on task. The success of this carol will determine how the next forty years of this kingdom will turn out. (Darius looks sick. The prince turns to leave, opens the door and waves to them.) For now, I bid you adieu. (Exits and shuts the door behind him. Pause. Enters again.) Oh, the gala is in thirty days, so I’ll need the music as soon as possible so we can rehearse the dance. Write on, my dear composer! (Exits)
Darius and Enid motionlessly sit in silence for a moment.
DARIUS: I need whiskey…
ENID: I’ll join you. (They both slowly exit to the kitchen)
Curtain
Scene II
Knock at the door. Enid comes from the kitchen to answer it. She opens the door.
LAURA: Enid! (She barges in and closes the door)
ENID: What’s the matter, Laura?
LAURA: Spill it! Why was the prince in your house?
ENID: (They sit down at the table)You know that Darius has been getting payed by the prince for creating music, right?
LAURA: Yes. He wrote their wedding music.
ENID: Right. Well, the prince is planning the biggest Christmas gala the kingdom has ever seen and the prince wants Darius to create a piece of music for them to dance to at the royal Christmas gala. (Laura gasps) it will be their first Yule dance as a couple and the celebration of the King’s coronation. Can you believe it?
LAURA: (Squeals) So you’re going to the party then?
ENID: We are invited. I have to make a new dress. I have to find someone with rouge. Do you have rouge? I need rouge.
LAURA: I know girls that have rouge. Don’t worry about that.
ENID: I’m so nervous about being at the castle. Coronation anniversary, first Christmas dance and we’re going to be there for it!
LAURA: I am so jealous, (Stands and begins to waltz) dancing with the royals. How is Darius feeling about this?
ENID: He’s…nervous.
LAURA: He should be. Gerard and Carolyn’s dance is no small task. It must be elegant and sophisticated and fun and proper and romantic. Has he started work on it yet?
Darius enters with a mug of whisky. He is wide eyed and a little drunk
ENID: Let him get his whisky through him and he’ll start working on it.
LAURA: Hello Darius.
DARIUS: Hello there Laura. What brings you to the house of Esterouse today?
LAURA: I was checking in with Enid to find out why the prince was here.
ENID: I told her about the dance. I hope you don’t mind.
DARIUS: Oh, no. Soon enough everyone will know.
LAURA: So what are you going to write for his royal handsomeness?
ENID: Maybe now is still too soon to think about that.
DARIUS: Yes, my dear Laura. The Muse must come to me and grace me with the precise music for this… (Sighs) extremely important occasion. (He drinks the entire contents of his mug)
LAURA: A most important occasion…the ceremony, the dance, the feast, the King.
ENID: All right, Laura. He knows the importance of it. Give us a while to let this soak in. I’ll come around in a day or two and get the name of the girl with the rouge.
LAURA: I’ll go talk to them now. Bye Enid. Goodbye royal court composer.
DARIUS: (Not looking at her) Goodbye common neighbor washer woman.
Enid lets Laura out.
ENID: Darling, you don’t look at all well.
DARIUS: There is nothing in my head.
ENID: What do you mean?
DARIUS: I mean there’s no music in my head right now.
ENID: Certainly there is. (Picks up the sheet music from the table) You just wrote a brilliant piece of music.
DARIUS: Yes, I wrote it down and now there is nothing left.
ENID: What are you saying?
DARIUS: The moment that the prince asked me to write him a carol, my mind went completely blank.
ENID: That cannot be.
DARIUS: It is.
ENID: That’s…a bit disconcerting.
DARIUS: That’s…bloody terrifying is what that is.
ENID: All right, finish your drink and we’ll just take our minds off of everything. (She plays with his hair) We could go celebrate like we talked about earlier.
DARIUS: (Considers this) That could make me feel better.
ENID: It’s settled then. Come with me, my love.
They exit to the bedroom. There is a knock at the door.
DARIUS: (From off stage) Noooo!
Enid enters straightening her skirt. She answers the door.
ENID: Yes?
MESSENGER: (Dryly read from a scroll) A message from King Augustus and Queen Gwendolyn. Your presence is requested at the yuletide coronation celebration the 21st day of December. A feast and a dance will follow the ceremony. (He rolls up the scroll and hands it to Enid. He looks at her dress and raises his eyebrows.) Appropriate dress required. (Turns and leaves)
ENID: (Slams the door, Darius enter from bedroom) As if I wouldn’t dress appropriately for the most important event I’ve ever attended. (Sees Darius) I mean the second most important. Our wedding was the first.
DARIUS: (Laughs) I know what you mean, love. (Goes to the table and sits. Gets a piece of blank sheet music and stares at it.) I suppose I’ll get started on this dance music.
ENID: I know I don’t usually suggest things to you about your music, but keep in mind that the piece should be romantic but proper, holy but secular, flamboyant but modest.
DARIUS: You’ve just given me three opposites. I’ll keep them all in mind. If you could leave me to think for a bit, I would be appreciative.
ENID: Very well, dear. I’ll leave you to it. (Kisses him on the top of his head and exits)
DARIUS: Flamboyant and modest. (Laughs to himself, pause, lays his head down on the sheet music, pause, Enid enters)
ENID: I know I said I would leave you to write, but what…are you sleeping?
DARIUS: (Head still on the table) No, I want the music to ooze from my brain onto the paper. What am I going to do?
ENID: Give yourself a couple of days to get over the shock of it. After that, if there is still nothing in your brain, you may want to pray for a miracle.
DARIUS: You know I don’t pray simply because I want something. It seems like begging for money from a rich uncle. He might give it to you, but you feel like a leech for asking.
ENID: (Grabs Darius by the hand) Come on. I want you to lie down and take your mind off of everything. In the morning, you can think about all of this in a new light.
DARIUS: (Gets up) I suppose you’re right. I’ll sleep off the spirits and wake up a new man in the morning.
ENID: I’m your wife, Darius. Of course I’m right. (Both exit)
SCENE III
(Darius sits at the table, pen in one hand and head resting on the other. He is not writing. Enid enters from the kitchen.)
ENID: Was dinner enough for you?
DARIUS: My love, I ate enough eggs and potatoes to feed the Kind’s army. It made me too sleepy to work. (Stretches and yawns)
ENID: I’m not letting you get away with that excuse! I want you to think about all of the dances that we’ve been to, all the songs we’ve sung. I want you to hear that music in your head and try to get the seed of an idea.
DARIUS: Most of the dances we’ve been to would make the princess faint in disgust.
ENID: They weren’t that bad, maybe a little rowdy from time to time.
DARIUS: All right, I’ll do as you ask. I’m thinking of the dance we went to at the Apple House.
ENID: Oh, they were such nice people. They were all musicians. They could play anything they wanted and any song people wanted to hear.
DARIUS: They played a slow song toward the end of the night that has stayed with me all these months. I always wanted to create a piece that was similar but perhaps a little more formal. Do you remember the music?
ENID: I can’t remember the exact melody but I remember how I danced to it. It was like I was some kind of…sacred snowflake.
DARIUS: Sacred snowflake? (Sarcastically) That doesn’t sound mad at all.
ENID: Be nice! Watch me dance. Think of a shimmering, perfect snowflake lilting across the air. (She flits, sways and turns during a slow dance, she sings faintly) Daah dada dum, dada dum, dada dum, (etc)
DARIUS: I have a lot to mull over. It’s late. You should go on to bed and let ne think about this carol. I know the answer is in that tune, but I don’t know where it is.
ENID: All right, dear. If you need me, I’ll be happy to help you however I can. (Kisses him on the head and exits to bedroom.)
Darius gets an idea, picks up the pen, writes one note, then loses the idea and shakes his head in frustration. He rests his head on his hand and slowly lowers his head until it is resting on his outstretched arm. He drifts off to sleep. Lights dim.
In the following script, the dancers are acting out Darius’s dreams.
Dance sequence 1: Dancers enter. The first dance that Darius is dreaming about is from the party at the Apple house. It is a very informal slow dance. After the gist of the dance has been established, the music stops, all but one dancer exits, and he speaks to Darius.
MALE DANCER: Darius, you’ve always been a friend of mine and I love you like a brother. It pains me to say that you have never been able to put two different musical ideas together to make a new one. Combining this house dance and a formal carol is out of your reach. Know your limits, Darius.
Darius stirs, but remains asleep.
Dance sequence 2: Dancers enter. This dance is very fluid and spiritual, more formal than the first, but still sensual and loving. After the gist of the dance has been established, the music stops, all but one dancer exit, and she speaks to Darius.
FEMALE DANCER: Darius, you’ve always been a friend of mine and I love you very much. You have passion inside of you. You give so much of yourself. Your love is like a waterfall. Your dance is supposed to be a reflection of the love that you give every day. Let it out, Darius.
Dance sequence 3: Dancers enter. This dance is rigid, formal and unemotionally stiff. After the gist of the dance has been established, the music stops, all but one dancer exits, and he speaks to Darius.
MALE DANCER 2: Darius, you’ve always been a friend of mine and I love you. You have learned the formality of music’s rules. Proper tempo and sequence is evident in your work. It’s time to let go of what makes you comfortable and venture into a new vision. Explore, Darius.
Soft music plays, Enid enters
ENID: Darius, you’ve always been my partner and I love you like no other. Love and passion, etiquette and manners, this is what you’re looking for. This is your dance, your carol. This is your seed of an idea. Wake up and write it down. Wake up, Darius. (Exits)
Darius rouses from sleep and thinks for a moment. He quickly grabs his pen and begins to write fervently while music from the final dream sequence plays in the background. He occasionally conducts with one hand as he writes with the other. The lights slowly raise. Enid enters in night clothes.
ENID: Have you been at it all night?
DARIUS: (Holds up his hand to silence her. He finishes and stands up.) I wrote it.
ENID: You wrote the carol for the celebration?
DARIUS: No, I wrote a lullaby for the wee little lambs in the barn. Yes, I wrote the carol!
ENID: Since you’re obviously sleep deprived and delusional, I’ll let the little lamb comment slide this time.
DARIUS: Sorry, love. My mind is worn out.
ENID: Have you been up all night?
DARIUS: Actually, no. I drifted off to sleep and had dreams of dancers and music and you.
ENID: Me? What was I doing?
DARIUS: You told me to write that down. (Points to sheet music)
ENID: Well, let’s see if I told you to write down something good.
DARIUS: I can’t bear to watch. (He exits)
ENID: (She looks over the music and dances a bit as she reads.) Darius?
DARIUS: (Enters promptly) Yes?
ENID: I don’t know what to say. This piece isn’t really like any of your other works. It’s filled with love and passion and etiquette and manners…
DARIUS: That’s exactly what you said. In the dream, I mean. You said that to me in the dream that I had.
ENID: Well, it’s good to know that even in your dreams I’m right.
DARIUS: Now who’s being boastful?
ENID: This is truly a grand piece of music. You should be proud of it.
DARIUS: I’m honored to have your approval. Now I can’t wait to premier it at the Yule celebration.
ENID: The royal family will be very pleased with it, I’m sure.
DARIUS: Thank you for being in my dream. Once again, you are my muse.
ENID: I knew you had it in you. Now, dance with me composer or I won’t visit your dreams anymore.
DARIUS: Madam, it would be my pleasure.
(Music plays, they dance, lights out.)
Copyright © 2009 by Jonathan Elmore