The Clearing

Helen Edmundson

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781854592811
• eBook ISBN: 9781780015200
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

A powerful play about the effects of Oliver Cromwell's military campaign in Ireland - a ruthless conquest whose folk memories still sit uncomfortably in the Irish psyche. Winner of the John Whiting Award for Drama.

In the 17th century Cromwell moved English troops into a war-weary Ireland, forcing the local inhabitants onto barren land as the English gentry took over their homes. The cruelty of this racial persecution is brought into sharp focus through the tragic love of an Englishman for a local Irish woman.

Helen Edmundson's play The Clearing was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in November 1993.

ACT THREE

Scene One

In the village. Christmas 1653.

Music. It has a Christmas strain but underneath it is foreboding.

KILLAINE is running. She is terrified, breathing heavily like a trapped animal. There is nowhere for her to go. She runs against a wall. A soldier enters, wielding a chain. A helmet covers the whole of his face. He advances slowly towards KILLAINE, who runs, almost throws herself into another wall. As he gets nearer, she freezes, no longer able to move. When he reaches her he pauses and then raises his arm high and strikes her across the head. She falls to the ground. He takes hold of her and drags her off.

Scene Two

In the drawing room in the manor house.

The room has been decorated with Christmas branches and candles, which MADELEINE is in the process of lighting. She is dressed in a splendid English-style gown and wears her hair up. ROBERT enters.

ROBERT. I’m going to the top of the woods to help with the felling.

You look beautiful. Everything does.

MADELEINE. I’m playing the lady of the manor. Am I convincing?

ROBERT. Very.

MADELEINE. Will you send a man back with some more green? I want the hall to smell of trees.

ROBERT. I will. (Suggestively.) Is there anything else I can help you with, Madam?

MADELEINE. Not like that. I know where you would help me to if you could.

ROBERT. A fine idea.

MADELEINE. And then nothing would be ready. Killaine’s gone to the village to fetch the children.

ROBERT. Where’s little Ralph?

MADELEINE. Preparing to meet his guests.

Nurse was trying to put a dress on his back but I told her, he’s a walking boy now and deserves his dignity.

She thinks I’m meddling.

ROBERT. She should be used to it by now.

Will Killaine call at Rathconran House?

MADELEINE. They won’t be coming, Robert. I went there yesterday.

ROBERT. You didn’t tell me.

MADELEINE. I didn’t want to worry you.

ROBERT. Are Solomon and Susaneh back?

MADELEINE. No. The whole place is shuttered up. I waited a while at the door before anyone came. It seems the children have to stay inside until their parents get back. Susaneh’s afraid that if the whole family leave the house, soldiers will come and take it. I hardly think it’s likely.

ROBERT. She’s right to be wary. There are such reports about.

I thought they would be home by now.

MADELEINE. And I.

ROBERT. It hardly seems proper to be making merry while such a threat hangs over them.

MADELEINE. This is exactly what I thought, now.

What else should we do? It’s Christmas. We’ll help them, Robert. When there’s something to be done, we’ll help them.

ROBERT. Yes.

MADELEINE. I want this to be a special time. Ralph hardly knew a smile last year. This time he’ll understand. Everything spread out before him, little hands to reach with and a voice that sings. I wish I was a child still.

ROBERT. Since when did you grow up?

They kiss.

I’ll be back later.

MADELEINE. In time for the games?

ROBERT. Of course. I’m going to win all the prizes.

Scene Three

The Commission of Transplantation: Athy.

On a raised platform, a man (the head Commissioner) sits behind a large desk.

SOLOMON stands before him. SUSANEH is seated nearby.

There is the sound of people talking in muted tones.

COMMISSIONER (without looking up). Name?

SOLOMON. Winter. Solomon.

COMMISSIONER. Of?

SOLOMON. Rathconran House, near Castledermot, County Kildare.

COMMISSIONER. On what date did you receive notice to transplant?

SOLOMON. November the fifteenth, sixteen fifty-three.

There is a pause while the COMMISSIONER finds the relevant paper.

COMMISSIONER. You will please list for me all members of your family, servants and tenants who will transplant with you, also any numbers of livestock and any crops you intend to take.

SOLOMON. None, Sir.

The voices quieten. The COMMISSIONER looks up.

COMMISSIONER. What’s that?

SOLOMON. None, Sir.

COMMISSIONER. You have come here to register for transplantation?

SOLOMON. I have come here because I was required to do so by law. I would not break the law.

COMMISSIONER. You are also required to transplant to Connaught by May of the coming year. Is that a law you intend to break?

SOLOMON hesitates.

SUSANEH. It is a law we do not accept.

SOLOMON. Wait Susaneh.

Sir, I left a good farm in England to come here. The authorities there were begging folk to come, offering terms so favourable only a fool would have stayed. If you had heard the golden gains they spoke of, you would understand why a man might leave his …

COMMISSIONER. Mr Winter, I have no authority to hear appeals. I’m sorry. I am here simply to register those required to transplant. You received notice to transplant?

SOLOMON. Yes.

COMMISSIONER. Then you must register.

You are not obliged to leave immediately. You may have Christmas with your family in your own home. But you yourself must transplant in the new year and your family must follow before the end of May.

SOLOMON. We cannot go, Sir.

COMMISSIONER. Cannot?

SUSANEH. Will not.

COMMISSIONER. Then I am afraid I cannot help you.

Pause. SOLOMON glances at SUSANEH, unsure of what to do.

COMMISSIONER. If you leave this office now and do not return before the end of January, I shall be forced to issue a warrant for your arrest. You understand that? Any appeal you intend making will not be loudly heard from a prison cell.

SOLOMON. I may appeal?

COMMISSIONER. Once the relevant bodies are in place.

Everyone will have the right to do so, though I honestly believe most everyone will use it; barely a soul has passed before me this last month without muttering appeal. I...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Historical Note
• Dedication
• Original Production Setting
• Act One
• Act Two
• Act Three
• Act Four
• Act Five
• About the Author
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information