Six Characters in Search of an Author – Luigi Pirandello
Six Characters in Search of an Author – Luigi Pirandello
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Six Characters in Search of an Author
License: Public Domain
Edward Storer
A Comedy in the Making
THE FATHER. THE MOTHER. THE STEP-DAUGHTER. THE SON. THE BOY. THE CHILD. The last two do not speak. MADAME PACE.
Actors of the company:
THE MANAGER. LEADING LADY. LEADING MAN. SECOND LADY LEAD. L’INGÉNUE. JUVENILE LEAD. OTHER ACTORS AND ACTRESSES. PROPERTY MAN. PROMPTER. MACHINIST. STAGE MANAGER. MANAGER’S SECRETARY. DOOR-KEEPER. SCENE-SHIFTERS.
Daytime. The stage of a theatre.
Act I
N.B. The Comedy is without acts or scenes. The performance is interrupted once, without the curtain being lowered, when THE MANAGER and the chief characters withdraw to arrange the scenario. A second interruption of the action takes place when, by mistake, the stage hands let the curtain down.
The spectators will find the curtain raised and the stage as it usually is during the day time. It will be half dark, and empty, so that from the beginning the public may have the impression of an impromptu performance.
PROMPTER’S box and a small table and chair for THE MANAGER.
Two other small tables and several chairs scattered about as during rehearsals.
The actors and actresses of the company enter from the back of the stage:
first one, then another, then two together: nine or ten in all. They are about to rehearse a Pirandello play: Mixing It Up. Some of the company move off towards their dressing rooms. The prompter who has the “book” under his arm, is waiting for THE MANAGER in order to begin the rehearsal.
The actors and actresses, some standing, some sitting, chat and smoke. One perhaps reads a paper; another cons his part.
Finally, THE MANAGER enters and goes to the table prepared for him: His secretary brings him his mail, through which he glances. The prompter takes his seat, turns on a light, and opens the “book.”
The Manager
throwing a letter down on the table. I can’t see. to PROPERTY MAN: Let’s have a little light, please!
Property Man
Yes sir, yes, at once. a light comes down on to the stage.
The Manager
clapping his hands. Come along! Come along! Second act of “Mixing it Up.” sits down.
The actors and actresses go from the front of the stage to the wings, all except the three who are to begin the rehearsal.
Prompter
reading the “book”. “Leo Gala’s house. A curious room serving as dining-room and study.”
The Manager
to PROPERTY MAN Fix up the old red room.
Property Man
noting it down. Red set. All right!
Prompter
continuing to read from the “book”. “Table already laid and writing desk with books and papers. Book-shelves. Exit rear to Leo’s bedroom. Exit left to kitchen. Principal exit to right.”
The Manager
energetically. Well, you understand: The principal exit over there; here, the kitchen. Turning to actor who is to play the part of Socrates. You make your entrances and exits here. To PROPERTY MAN: The baize doors at the rear, and curtains.
Property Man
noting it down.