- 80 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
The Glass Piano
About this book
Princess Alexandra thought her life would never change, living in the castle with her father King Ludwig, her maid Galstina, and glimpses of her mother as she runs from the stables to the rose bushes. And of course, there's the matter of the grand piano made of glass that she swallowed as a child, sitting inside her at all times. But then Lucien Bonaparte arrives, and suddenly anything seems possible… Laced with dry humour, Alix Sobler's smart play will transport you to the 19th century Bavaria to find four characters trapped by their situations, and prevented from fulfilling their dreams of love.
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Yes, you can access The Glass Piano by Alix Sobler in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in History & German History. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Act One
PROLOGUE
As the lights come down for the start of the show, we hear the strains of a jaunty piano tune, played out of key. It is mostly jarring, but there is a hint of something beautiful underneath. It should slip into something listenable, just seconds before the lights rise again, hinting at what it actually might be. Then, lights rise on…
1. A DINNER
LUDWIG sits at the head of a long table. GALSTINA stands in attendance. A moment of stillness. LUDWIG glances sideways at GALSTINA. She never looks back at him. He clears his throat. She ignores him. He opens his mouth to speak, but can think of nothing to say. He drums his fingers on the table. Silence.
Then, Alexandra calls from down the hall.
ALEXANDRA (O.S.)
I’M COMING!
LUDWIG
Take your time dear.
Galstina–
GALSTINA
No.
LUDWIG
It’s only that–
GALSTINA
No.
LUDWIG
I wish you would let me–
GALSTINA
No.
LUDWIG
But you haven’t even–
GALSTINA
No.
ALEXANDRA (O.S.)
BE THERE IN JUST A MOMENT!
LUDWIG
That’s all right dear, no hurry!
Galstina–
GALSTINA
No.
LUDWIG slaps the table. Tries to control himself. Wrestles himself to a calmer state, and spits out:
LUDWIG
Despite the hour growing late,
The great monarch is very…great.
A pause. GALSTINA sighs gigantically.
LUDWIG
I’m trying. You know I am trying.
ALEXANDRA enters walking sideways very, very slowly.
ALEXANDRA
I’m here! Here I am. Galstina, the chair is in the middle of the hallway again.
GALSTINA harrumphs.
ALEXANDRA
I don’t know how I can be expected to arrive at dinner on time when such obstructions are always blocking the path.
LUDWIG
Never mind dear. We’re here now. We can get started. Please sit down.
LUDWIG bows his head to pray.
LUDWIG
Bless us Oh Lord–
ALEXANDRA
Is Mummy coming?
LUDWIG
Alexandra! Grace!
ALEXANDRA
I’m sorry.
LUDWIG
Bless us Oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
He crosses himself, as does ALEXANDRA, gingerly, and he starts to eat.
ALEXANDRA
Amen. Is Mummy coming?
LUDWIG
No, your mother isn’t feeling well this evening.
ALEXANDRA
But–
LUDWIG
Yes?
ALEXANDRA
That’s 5,472 evenings in a row.
LUDWIG
Yes, she’s quite under the weather.
ALEXANDRA
Quite.
LUDWIG
Quite.
ALEXANDRA
Quite.
LUDWIG
Quite.
ALEXANDRA
Quite.
LUDWIG
Quite.
ALEXANDRA
Quite.
This goes on until LUDWIG has had enough.
LUDWIG
QUIET!
We shall eat, just the two of us. And Galstina, of course. Please sit.
GALSTINA harrumphs.
ALEXANDRA
What are we eating tonight Galstina?
GALSTINA
Pheasant, m’lady.
ALEXANDRA
(Quietly.)
Oh no.
GALSTINA
Oh yes.
ALEXANDRA
Oh no.
GALSTINA
Oh yes.
ALEXANDRA
Oh no!
This goes on until LUDWIG has had enough.
LUDWIG
Alexandra!
ALEXANDRA
But the poor little bird!
LUDWIG slaps the table
LUDWIG
When thinking what’s beneath the fork and knife, Consider not the fowl’s past life!
Sit!
ALEXANDRA
I can’t sit in this chair.
LUDWIG
Galstina, please bring the little Ottoman.
GALSTINA brings the small Ottoman. ALEXANDRA sits w...
Table of contents
- Front Cover
- Half-Title Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Characters
- Act One
- Act Two