The Red Shoes (NHB Modern Plays)

Stage Version

Hans Christian Andersen, Nancy Harris

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781848427136
• eBook ISBN: 9781780019963
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

An orphan girl, adopted by a wealthy Dublin family, is given a pair of beautiful red shoes. At first it appears her dreams have come true... but appearances can be very deceptive.

A contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's extraordinary fairytale of dance, desire and destruction, premiered at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, in November 2017.

ACT ONE

One

Shafts of morning light fall on the sleeping KAREN.

The coffin is has become a table or is now gone.

And the PRIEST is standing over her.

PRIEST.…Karen? Karen, wake up now.

KAREN wakes, disorientated, as the PRIEST pulls her up.

On your feet, there’s a good girl. Were you praying all night?

KAREN nods.

Well, the Lord in his beneficence has heard you.

KAREN looks at him, confused.

There’s been a change of plan – you’re not going where you thought you were going.

He starts to move around her. Vigorously brushing her clothes.

Now, stand up straight and make yourself presentable. None of this slouching. Dry those red eyes. You want to make a good impression, don’t you. Course you do. And there’s no time to waste – they could be here literally any –

And suddenly the door busts open and the NUGENTS – BOB and MARIELLA, wearing fur – enter the room, talking. They look around, disdainful.

MARIELLA. I don’t believe it, Bob, do you believe it /

BOB. It’s on the map /

MARIELLA. But it’s so small and dark and –

She sniffs.

What is that smell?

BOB. I think they call it the countryside.

The PRIEST rushes towards them –

PRIEST. Mr and Mrs Nugent! Welcome. Welcome. You found us alright?

MARIELLA. Just about. We drove through the town at least twice.

BOB (gruff). If you could call it a town.

MARIELLA. Well, exactly.

BOB. No shops.

MARIELLA. No boutiques.

BOB. Not even a cashpoint.

MARIELLA. I mean what do people do here all day –

MARIELLA sees KAREN and gasps.

Oh my God is that our orphan?

PRIEST. It certainly is. Mariella, this is Karen. Karen, this is Bob and Mariella Nugent. They drove from Dublin this morning especially.

The PRIEST pushes KAREN towards them.

Mrs Nugent is a member of the prestigious Save the Orphans Foundation.

BOB laughs.

BOB. Ha! Where did you hear that?

MARIELLA looks at BOB, a touch hurt.

MARIELLA. Bob. Well, no I’m not a member – just yet, Father. Though very nearly – I have an application in for the board. I’m told I’m in with a very good chance.

She looks at KAREN.

You do know the prestigious Save the Orphans Foundation, don’t you, dear?

KAREN shakes her head.

BOB. She must have seen them on the news.

PRIEST. Everybody who’s anybody is a member.

KAREN looks at them blank, shakes her head.

MARIELLA. Well… I s’pose it is remote here.

PRIEST. Bob and Mariella have some very good news for you, Karen. They might be able to offer you a home.

KAREN looks at them, surprised.

MARIELLA. Well, we were hoping for something smaller.

PRIEST. Oh, she’s not as tall as she looks, are you, Karen?

KAREN shakes her head and instinctively hunches.

MARIELLA. Cos the small ones are quiet and keep to themselves.

PRIEST. Oh she’s very quiet, aren’t you, Karen?

KAREN nods quickly, silently.

(Aside.) Hasn’t said a word since her mother passed, in fact.

MARIELLA.…Does she eat?

PRIEST. Oh anything. Everything. And barely at all. She’s like a little bird.

BOB. And she’s not unstable?

PRIEST. (with a laugh) No –

BOB. Cos some of these orphans – with their backgrounds and history…

PRIEST. Karen’s a very steady girl. Despite the situation with her – mother

MARIELLA/BOB. Terrible. Terrible. /

PRIEST. Karen has her head very much screwed on.

The PRIEST knocks on KAREN’s head.

Haven’t you, Karen?

KAREN nods.

MARIELLA assesses her closely.

MARIELLA. Hmmn.

KAREN smiles, trying to be pleasing.

…What do you think, Bob?

BOB’s looking at his phone, checking emails.

BOB. About what?

MARIELLA. About the orphan. Should we take her?

BOB. This is your thing, Mariella. Nothing to do with me.

MARIELLA. He was your second cousin.

BOB. Three times removed.

MARIELLA (to the PRIEST). Bob knew her father as I mentioned.

KAREN looks up, sharp, intrigued.

Oh that’s got her interested. Ears practically pricking up.

PRIEST. Well, no one here knows much about Karen’s father. Her mother never talked about him, understandably. I’m sure she’s very keen to hear what he was like, aren’t you, Karen?

KAREN nods and goes to BOB, looking at him intensely.

…What was he like?

BOB, unused to teenage girls, backs away.

BOB...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Original Production
• Acknowledgements
• Dedication
• Characters
• Note on Play
• Prologue
• The Red Shoes
• Epilogue
• About the Authors
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information