Drawing the Line (NHB Modern Plays)

Howard Brenton

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781780013008
• Topic: Littérature
• Subtopic: Théâtre

A vivid telling of the chaotic story of the partition that shaped the modern world.

London, 1947. Summoned by the Prime Minister from the court where he is presiding judge, Cyril Radcliffe is given an unlikely mission. He is to travel to India, a country he has never visited, and, with limited survey information, no expert support and no knowledge of cartography, he is to draw the border which will divide the Indian sub-continent into two new Sovereign Dominions. To make matters even more challenging, he has only six weeks to complete the task.

Wholly unsuited to his role, Radcliffe is unprepared for the dangerous whirlpool of political intrigue and passion into which he is plunged - untold consequences may even result from the illicit liaison between the Leader of the Congress Party and the Viceroy's wife' As he begins to break under the pressure he comes to realise that he holds in his hands the fate of millions of people.

Drawing the Line premiered at the Hampstead Theatre, London in December 2013.

'powerful... a fascinating play which views colonial culpability from an unexpected and singularly revealing angle' - Independent

'Brenton is a masterly storyteller... the play expertly draws you into the maelstrom' - Financial Times

'Brenton knows how to make history manifest... gives a vivid picture of the pressures of the time' - Guardian

'fleet and fascinating' - WhatsOnStage

'crisp, elegant and revelatory... a fascinating story of mixed intentions and rushed folly' - The Stage

ACT ONE

Scene One

Prime Minister CLEMENT ATLEE, sixty-four, and the Secretary of State for India LORD PETHICK-LAWRENCE, seventy-six.

CYRIL RADCLIFFE, forty-eight, has just come into the room.

ATLEE is smoking a pipe.

ATLEE. Ah, Cyril.

RADCLIFFE. Good afternoon, Prime Minister.

Handshakes.

ATLEE. How is Mrs Radcliffe?

RADCLIFFE. She is very well, thank you.

ATLEE. Send her my greetings. And my apologies.

RADCLIFFE. Apologies? For what?

ATLEE. We’ll see.

Awkward pause. ATLEE is looking at RADCLIFFE thoughtfully.

PETHICK-LAWRENCE. Er…

ATLEE. Yes, do you know Lord Pethick-Lawrence?

RADCLIFFE. Actually, I’ve not had the pleasure.

PETHICK-LAWRENCE. Mr Justice Radcliffe.

Handshakes.

ATLEE. Fred here is Secretary of State for India.

RADCLIFFE. So I do believe.

PETHICK-LAWRENCE. For my sins.

He smiles. RADCLIFFE finds their timing impossible to read.

ATLEE. Interesting day in court, Cyril?

RADCLIFFE. A crook, trying it on.

ATLEE. Alarming number do, these days.

RADCLIFFE. There are rotten apples.

ATLEE. It’s part of the British genius, fiddling on the side in times of austerity.

RADCLIFFE. Oh, despite what I see in my court, I think as a nation we’re better than that.

ATLEE. Do you now.

RADCLIFFE. On the whole, decency holds firm.

Another awkward pause.

ATLEE. Up for something more challenging? Rather than sending down the odd, indecently rotten apple?

RADCLIFFE. Well, yes, of course, delighted to serve in any way I can. If it be in my power.

ATLEE. Mm. (Pipe puff.) Do you know it?

RADCLIFFE. Know what?

ATLEE. India.

RADCLIFFE. No, Prime Minister…

ATLEE. Never been?

RADCLIFFE. No.

ATLEE. Excellent.

RADCLIFFE. Why?

A pause.

ATLEE. Fred?

PETHICK-LAWRENCE. We want you to draw a line.

RADCLIFFE (aside). And I’ve said yes. Yes. Out of the blue yonder I’ve just heard myself say: ‘Yes. Of course, Prime Minister.’ And I think I heard myself say: ‘It’s an honour.’

Exit ATLEE and PETHICK-LAWRENCE.

RADCLIFFE remains on stage.

Scene Two

Enter ANTONIA RADCLIFFE, forty-four.

RADCLIFFE. I just heard myself say ‘yes’.

ANTONIA. On the spot?

RADCLIFFE. On the spot.

ANTONIA. On the spot in Downing Street! It’s a great honour, Cyril.

RADCLIFFE. Yes.

ANTONIA. Tiny little problem, though. You know bugger all about India!

RADCLIFFE. Absolutely squelch!

They laugh.

Though that’s the reason why they’ve asked me. Atlee says the Government want a fresh eye.

ANTONIA. Oh, Cyril, it will be a wonder. The beginning of an honourable end to Empire.

RADCLIFFE. It has to come. A new world.

ANTONIA. You are perfect for it.

RADCLIFFE. Well, I can try to offer a rational overview.

ANTONIA. To cut through.

RADCLIFFE. Gordian knot, yes. I’ll be briefed intensively of course, the Viceroy’s putting together a team for me.

ANTONIA. Well, thank God you’re a fast learner.

RADCLIFFE. That the law has given me.

They are looking at each other, very excited.

ANTONIA. Million and one things… where will you stay?

RADCLIFFE. Delhi, of course. Viceroy House.

ANTONIA. With the Mountbattens?

RADCLIFFE. Yes.

ANTONIA. Sorry, mind spinning. God. Kiss me.

They kiss.

So how long…

RADCLIFFE. Five weeks.

ANTONIA. Five weeks before you go, well, that gives some time… order clothes for the heat and…

RADCLIFFE. No, I have to do the job in five weeks.

A pause.

ANTONIA. That’s…

RADCLIFFE. It’s a challenge. I’ll finish the case I’m sitting tomorrow, then the next day… (Aeroplane gesture.) Off to Delhi!

ANTONIA. It’s impossible. You’ll have to see something of the country, and the negotiations…

RADCLIFFE. That’s the timetable. Atlee wants the India Independence Act through Parliament in two weeks’ time. It will set the date for independence as August fifteenth. That means the border must be settled a week earlier. Five weeks!

ANTONIA. They can’t ask this of you.

RADCLIFFE. It has to be quick and decisive. They don’t want ’42 all over again.

ANTONIA. ’42?

RADCLIFFE. The anti-British riots.

ANTONIA. Dear God, one forgets. It’s all so far away.

RADCLIFFE. I want you to come out with me.

ANTONIA. You try and stop me!

RADCLIFFE. Leave it a fortnight then…

ANTONIA. Yes, that would be wonderful. Staying at Viceroy House.

RADCLIFFE. Yes.

ANTONIA. Oh, Cyril, this could lead to…

RADCLIFFE. Yes, I know.

ANTONIA. I’ll go and think about packing. Will you need shorts?

RADCLIFFE. God, I hope not.

ANTONIA. If I’ve two weeks, I’ll try to buy something for me.

RADCLIFEE. You’ll look wonderful.

Peck of a cheek. She exits.

(Aside.) Right. ( A pause.) Right. Steady the buffs. There is that drive, secretly, always: that you may even personally be remembered for something good, even great, or going on for great. What was it Leonardo said: ‘To live on in the minds of men’? Better not owned up...