Gently Down the Stream

Martin Sherman

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781350126152
• eBook ISBN: 9781350126176
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: American Drama

Beau, a pianist expat living in London, meets Rufus, an eccentric young lawyer, at the dawn of the internet dating revolution. After a life spent recovering from the disappointment and hurt of loving men in a world that refused to allow it, Beau is determined to keep his expectations low with Rufus.

But Rufus comes from a new generation of gay men who believe happiness is as much their right as anyone else's, and what Beau assumed would be just another fling grows into one of the most surprising and defining relationships of his life.

A remarkably moving, brilliantly funny love story, Gently Down the Stream is the latest play from acclaimed playwright Martin Sherman. The play reflects the triumphs and heartbreaks of the entire length of the gay rights movement, celebrating and mourning the ghosts of the men and women who led the way for equality, marriage and the right to dream.

It received its world premiere at the Public Theatre, New York, on 14 March 2017 in a production starring Tony-award winner Harvey Fierstein.

For

Tom Erhardt

and

Judy Chiariello

London. 2001. The front room of Beau’s flat in Shepherd’s Bush. There is a piano, and many, many filled bookcases. One door leads outside; another to a bedroom. There is a kitchenette on the side. Beauregard comes out of the kitchen, carrying two cups of tea. He is sixty-one. Rufus comes out of the bathroom, arranging his clothes. He is twenty-eight. Beau hands him a cup of tea.

BeauIt’s licorice and ginger. With honey and lemon. I didn’t put in the honey and lemon myself, it’s part of the recipe. All in one little teabag. Isn’t it amazing how they do that?

Rufus sips it.

RufusWicked.

Pause.

So . . .

Pause.

BeauSo . . .

RufusCan I ask you something?

BeauYes.

RufusWhat was Mabel Mercer like?

BeauSorry?

RufusMabel Mercer.

BeauHow do you know about . . .

Rufus (grins)I know a lot of things.

BeauMost probably. But Mabel Mercer?

Rufus (proudly)Absolutely. Greatest cabaret singer who ever lived.

BeauWell, yes, I suppose, but how did you know that I . . .

Rufus (taps his head)Ah!

BeauThe internet’s supposed to be anonymous!

RufusIt is. Except for someone like me. My head is full of stuff, you know what I mean? Have you done Google yet? It’s a new thing, a search engine. Isn’t that a wonderful phrase? My mind’s a search engine. It stores totally useless facts. Google should install an electric sensor to my brain. I’m going to waste.

BeauI haven’t the slightest inkling what you are talking about . . .

RufusI love your accent . . .

BeauBut how did you place me with . . .

RufusYour photograph. The one on your profile. I recognized you. What did you call yourself?

BeauDon’t. I’m embarrassed.

Rufus‘Autumn leaf’.

BeauYou have just subjected me to extreme mortification.

RufusWhat part of the South?

BeauWhat?

RufusYour accent.

BeauYou should know; it’s a useless fact.

RufusBut I don’t.

BeauNew Orleans.

RufusI thought New Orleans sounded like Southern mixed with Brooklyn.

BeauIt does. Keep listening. How did you place me with . . .

RufusMabel?

BeauYes. You’re making me very nervous.

RufusSomeone told me.

BeauSomeone told you? This assignation was public knowledge???

RufusI love the way you speak.

BeauI repeat . . .

Rufus (smiles)‘Assignation’!

BeauI repeat . . .

RufusOh, keep your wig on. (Gleeful.) It’s not, is it?

Pulls Beau’s hair.

Beau (sighs)You’re exasperating.

RufusIt’s great that you don’t dye it. Men look ghoulish with dyed hair, don’t you think? People should be proud of their age.

BeauAge. (Suddenly alert.) Age! What am I doing here with a child?

RufusI’m hardly a child. I’m twenty-eight. I have a law degree. I’m a serious person.

BeauNonetheless, I’m old enough to be your ancestor. I shouldn’t have gone onto that idiot machine. What kind of name is Gaydar? But then I thought no one would bother with me. And then you popped up, chasing me through cyber space. Coming on to me. Making very enticing sexual suggestions, I might say. Which I hadn’t expected. Not at my age. And, admittedly, it was very flattering, but look at you . . . You’re so young you make me feel like a priest.

RufusBut I fancy you.

BeauHow can you fancy me?

RufusI like older . . .

BeauOld. . .

RufusOld men.

BeauThis probably has something to do with a father.

RufusWhy are you looking for an explanation?

BeauOr some kind of abuse early on . . .

RufusNo. Nothing like that. I just like older men.

BeauThere has to be something lurking in your past . . .

RufusYou’re so American.

BeauWhat does that mean?

RufusEverything has to have a reason. In England, nothing we do makes any sense. That’s why we’re so vital, and why you’re sinking fast, you know what I mean?

BeauYes, well, I am certain that’s a delicious sociological insight, but nonetheless . . .

RufusYes! Yes! I heard the Brooklyn!

BeauWhat?

RufusWhen you said ‘I am certain’. Don’t you think that’s amazing? How did Brooklyn work it’s way into a Southern accent?

BeauI don’t know!

RufusDon’t be upset. We had such nice sex. Didn’t we? I thought we did . . . I’m sorry. Sorrrrrry. I talk too much.

Playfully rests his head against Beau’s chest.

Beau (stares at him)Law degree?

RufusI know, I know, I know, can you believe it? I’m a junior, in the city, mergers and acquisitions, doesn’t that phrase just suggest a life . . .

BeauHow did you know about Mabel?

RufusA friend of mine, an older friend, who knows I’m fixated on the middle of the twentieth century, particularly in Ame...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Cast and Creative Team
• Contents
• Gently Down the Stream
• Dedication
• eCopyright