Be My Baby

Amanda Whittington

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN:
  9781854598875
• eBook ISBN:
  9781780011233
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

A poignant drama about attitudes to teenage pregnancy in 1960s Britain.

Mary Adams, aged 19, is unmarried and seven months pregnant. Forcibly sent to a Mother-and-Baby Home in the north of England by a mother intent on keeping up appearances, Mary – along with the other girls in the home – has to cope with both the shame and the dawning realisation that she will have to give the baby up for adoption whether she likes it or not.

Despite this – and an overbearing matron – the girls' youthful effervescence keeps breaking through as they sing along to the girl-group songs of the period.

Amanda Whittington's hugely touching play Be My Baby was first performed by Soho Theatre Company at the Pleasance Theatre, London, in 1998.

This edition of Be My Baby includes new scenes added for several successful revivals of the play.

Characters

MARY, aged nineteen; seven months pregnant

DOLORES, aged seventeen; three months pregnant

QUEENIE, aged twenty; four months pregnant

NORMA, aged twenty; eight months pregnant

MATRON, Head of St Saviour’s

MRS ADAMS, Mary’s mother

Be My Baby takes place over two months in 1964. It is set in St Saviour’s, a Church of England-run mother and baby home in the North of England. St Saviour’s takes in unmarried mothers during their pregnancy and accommodates them until their child is born and given up for adoption.

The austerity of St Saviour’s is best suggested by a minimal set comprising two single beds for the dormitory (with a door), a small table and two chairs for Matron’s study.

Featured singles are ‘Be My Baby’ by The Ronettes, ‘Chapel of Love’ by The Dixie Cups, ‘Past Present & Future’ by The Shangri-La’s and ‘So Young’ by The Ronettes. More ‘girl-groups’ songs of the early sixties can be played between scenes.

Scene One

MARY’s bedroom/MATRON’s study. From a Dansette record player comes the opening bars of ‘Be My Baby’ by The Ronettes. Beside the record player is an open suitcase belonging to MARY ADAMS, who sits listening to the record, dressed in her Sunday best. Enter MRS ADAMS, her equally well-turned-out mother. MRS ADAMS packs a pile of clothes into MARY’s suitcase and closes it.

Enter MATRON, beginning another day at St Saviour’s. MATRON checks her hair in the mirror, sits at her desk, opens a file and starts to read.

MRS ADAMS takes the needle off the record and closes the lid. We hear the voices of QUEENIE, DOLORES and NORMA, singing the final chorus to ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’. MARY and MRS ADAMS button up their coats as the girls start to pray.

QUEENIE, DOLORES, NORMA. Almighty God; we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver Teresa thy servant from the great pain and peril of childbirth.

As an afterthought, MRS ADAMS puts MARY’s teddy bear into her handbag and picks up the suitcase. MARY takes a last look at the Dansette.

Grant, we beseech thee most merciful Father that she, through thy help, may both faithfully live and walk according to thy will, in this life present; and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord …

MARY picks up the Dansette and follows MRS ADAMS.

Amen.

MARY and MRS ADAMS arrive at MATRON’s study.

Scene Two

Study. MRS ADAMS sits opposite MATRON. MARY stands by her side.

MATRON. So her condition came to light …

MRS ADAMS. Yesterday, Matron.

MATRON. And she was last unwell …

MRS ADAMS. September.

MATRON. Seven months?

MRS ADAMS. She let out her clothes and took Mother for a fool.

MATRON. Has your doctor verified?

MRS ADAMS. There wasn’t time.

MATRON. May I take his details …

MRS ADAMS. Why?

MATRON. To send for her notes.

MRS ADAMS. But he bowls with her father.

MATRON. Who hasn’t been told?

MRS ADAMS. And won’t be, with respect. He’s put her on a pedestal, you see.

MATRON. You know why you’re here, Mary?

MARY. Yes, Matron.

MATRON. Then you know what you’ve done?

MRS ADAMS. She knows far too much in my book.

MATRON takes notes as MARY replies.

MATRON. Full name?

MARY. Mary Elizabeth Adams.

MATRON. Date of birth?

MARY. I’m not sure, exactly. I haven’t seen the doctor.

MATRON. Your birthday.

MRS ADAMS. Pay attention, Mary.

MARY. I’m sorry. March the first, 1945.

MATRON. Hair brown, eyes …

MRS ADAMS. Green.

MATRON. Height?

MARY. Erm …

MATRON. Five foot three or thereabouts. Church of England?

MRS ADAMS. Christened and confirmed.

MATRON. Education?

MRS ADAMS. Grammar-school girl.

MATRON. Employment?

MRS ADAMS. Trustees Savings Bank. Junior Cashier.

MATRON. Illness or conditions?

MRS ADAMS. Just the usual childhood ailments.

MATRON. Our local GP has a temporary register. Should I make an appointment?

MRS ADAMS. Much appreciated.

MATRON. Are they holding her position in the bank?

MRS ADAMS. I’m to see the manager on Monday.

MATRON. Well, you can rest assured that she won’t become idle. St Saviour’s girls have to work for their keep.

MRS ADAMS. She’s a willing kind of girl. Well, when I say willing …

MATRON. Our day begins with prayers at seven.

MRS ADAMS. I mean she was a Girl Guide.

MATRON. Breakfast is followed by general housework – cooking, cleaning, laundry duties. Every girl takes her turn on a rota.

MRS ADAMS. Forgive me, Matron, but I think you’ll find her different...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• Original Production
• Characters
• Appendix
• About the Author
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information